The 10 Best Things to do in Ontonagon, Michigan (MI)

December 5, 2021 Sachiko Swiger

Ontonagon (/ˌɒntəˈnɑːɡən/ ON-tə-NAH-gən) is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,494 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Ontonagon County.
Restaurants in Ontonagon

1. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49953-9087 +1 906-885-5275 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 597 reviews

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

Consists of 60,000 acres of lakes, forests and rivers.

Reviewed By TUrbanik - Clawson, United States

Wanting to take in some fall color while staying relatively close to home my wife and I decided to spend a week kicking around in the Upper Peninsula (Michigan). We’ve spent a fair amount of time on the east side of the UP but not a lot over on the west. So this time we set out for The Porcupine Mountains, located in Ontonagon, Mi. Some 60 miles from Ironwood which sits on the MI/WI boarder. Never having spent anytime in the Porcupine Mtns. (Porky’s as I have heard some refer), and only having two days to do so, we wanted to take in as much as possible. First off we tent camped at Union Bay campground, which is modern with all the amenities. They have a variety of available sites that range from rustic to modern. I recommend checking with the ranger station to get a map. They will also help steer your visit. With limited time I suggest hitting Lake Of The Clouds, Summit Peak and Presque Isle River. These three spots give you a good sense of what the park has to offer, and from there you can branch off to focus on what really strikes your interest. While there are many trails to explore, there are trails for each skill level and ability. All the trails are well marked with trail markers. Most are a combination of foot trails, boardwalks and stairs. Lake of the Clouds offer breath taking views, Summit Peak also offers great views with the addition of a watchtower, and Presque Isle River takes you on a hike along either shore, (take a short suspension bridge to the footpath or use the boardwalk on the near side), to view some beautiful waterfalls all the way to the mouth of the river as it empties into Lake Superior. Our visit was in mid September so crowds were minimal, but families, couples and singles were present. Weather was unseasonably mild. Would advise coming prepared for anything , as the UP can be unpredictable. Good Hiking.

2. Red Metal Minerals

202 Ontonagon St, Ontonagon, MI 49953-1646 +1 906-884-6618 http://www.redmetalminerals.com/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Red Metal Minerals

3. Little Carp River Trail

Little Carp River Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49938
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Little Carp River Trail

Scenic hiking trail at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

4. Main Overlook

Ontonagon, MI
Excellent
93%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 40 reviews

Main Overlook

Area at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offering an unforgettable scenic view.

Reviewed By tryan487

the over look its well worth the time to vist and the walkway you can go a pathway or a boardwalk wich is the easy way to to the lake of the clouds

5. Presque Isle River

Ontonagon, MI +1 906-885-5275 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=426
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 158 reviews

Presque Isle River

Waterfalls and a multilevel boardwalk make this river at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park worth seeing.

Reviewed By MadDogTraveler - Valparaiso, United States

Walking the trails along the river was beautiful. There are areas where waterfalls form. You can even hike to where it dumps into lake superior, which was really cool to see.

6. Bond Falls

Ontonagon, MI 49953
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 393 reviews

Bond Falls

Reviewed By ChristinePolicandrio

Beautiful place!! We were awestruck!! Kid and dog friendly!! Great trails!! Gift shop had really nice stuff!!

638 River St, Ontonagon, MI 49953-1618 +1 906-884-2279
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

NoneSuch Gallery

8. Lake of the Clouds

107th Engineers Memorial Highway, Ontonagon, MI
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 270 reviews

Lake of the Clouds

Reviewed By GitchSup - Duluth, United States

What a beautiful way to spend a fall afternoon! Even though we were not at the leaf peak yet there were some trees in the valley that had started to turn scarlet and yellow, it was stunning. The price per vehicle to get into the Lake of the Clouds lot is $9.00 and well worth it for all the natural beauty. The overlook is breathtaking and there are a lot of different views of the lake. The trail is a loop that is pretty short and handicapped accessible and an easy walk for all ages and abilities. Be sure to bring a camera, the view is something you will want memories of for sure.

9. Living the UP Dream

201 River St, Ontonagon, MI 49953-1609 +1 906-884-2199 [email protected] http://livingtheupdream.biz
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Living the UP Dream

Living the UP Dream is a creativity outlet for the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We feature handcrafted gift items from local artists and craftspeople, including copper jewelry, photo cards, fashion accessories and wooden items. We also offer private music lessons and classes to learn various arts and crafts.

Reviewed By 24lorag - Shipshewana, United States

This store made me laugh as I approached the door to see a gift shop, music lessons and attorney office in the same location. Talking with the owner a former middle school teacher we were thrilled to learn all she had to share about her shop and the unique artisans who help to stock it including herself with some fantastic and reasonable copper jewelry. Love my ring specially designed and made by her. She shared many suggestions that helped us finish off our plans for the week and we even went back the last day to pick up a few other gifts before heading home. Thanks Living the UP dream for your kindness and knowledge to not only sell some neat stuff but make our visit even better! And for the attorney piece of the puzzle... it is her husband whom she says is what provides them with the financial stability to do what she loves in making the jewelry and truly living the U.P. Dream????

10. Lake Superior Trail

Ontonagon, MI
Excellent
70%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
10%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Lake Superior Trail

Sixteen-mile hiking trail at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.