Ontonagon County Park Campground

The Great Outdoors

What the campsites at Ontonagon County Park and Campground lack in amenities, though, is more than made up for by the Upper Peninsula’s boundless outdoor recreational opportunities. The most obvious of which is Lake Gogebic, which the RV campground is adjacent to. It’s the largest natural lake in the Upper Peninsula and has an abundant stock of walleye, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and smallmouth bass. Be sure to pick up a Michigan fishing license if you plan to do any angling during your motorhome camping vacation.Cyclists who book an RV in Ontonagon County are going to love the Iron Belle Trail. It’s the longest state-designated trail in the country, and the section set aside for bicyclists covers over 800 miles. While there are still some gaps in the trail, one continuous section goes from right outside the campground to the town of Sidnaw, paralleling Highway 28 for nearly 50 miles. Another option is the State Line Trail, which, when combined with Wisconsin’s Nicolet State Trail, cuts a continuous path almost all the way to Green Bay.One of the stranger outdoor attractions on the Peninsula is Copper Peak, home to a 469-foot ski jump. That might sound strange, given that this part of Michigan is relatively flat, but the jump is artificial, and the largest of its kind in the world. It’s located on the Black River Scenic Byway, one of the best scenic drives in the region and only a few minutes from Lake Superior. Take a ride on a chairlift to reach the jump’s base and then an elevator to the top of the 18-story-tall structure. Views from the top are undoubtedly the best in the Upper Peninsula, allowing you to look out over three states and a Canadian province.

Exploring the City

Cities are hard to come by in the Upper Peninsula, especially in this western corner of it. Ontonagon County is one of the state’s least populated, and the town of Bessemer, about half an hour's drive from the campground, is the closest thing you’ll find to an urban experience. Started as a mining community, Bessemer has transformed into a mini-resort town thanks to the presence of three ski hills in the region. The area’s plentiful lake-effect snow from Lake Superior has earned it the name “Big Snow Country.” As the hub of activity in the western point of the peninsula, Bessemer has a decent number of shops along its main street along with a few dozen restaurants selling burgers, pizzas, and the occasional home-cooked Italian meal.Down the road a little farther is the larger town of Ironwood, which has a great museum focused on the region’s mining history - the Ironwood Historic Depot and Museum. Housed inside a historic railway depot, it tells a comprehensive history of train travel in the Upper Peninsula, from the 19th century through to the present. There’s also some real-life mining equipment to check out, which makes it clear how dangerous it was to work in this remote corner of the state.Despite being a relatively small town, Ironwood has a great arts scene. The Downtown Art Park is a small green space filled with chairs, benches, the occasional outdoor art exhibit, and on some weekends during the summer, live musical performances. Walk through Ironwood’s Downtown, and you’ll find several interesting galleries showcasing works from local artists. There’s also the Ironwood Carnegie Library, which regularly has presenters from around the state and country, showcasing art, history, and travel stories.