Iron River Ranger District

Facility · Michigan ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Ottawa National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1,654 ft
Elevation

Iron River is located in Iron County, in the western portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, just seven miles from the Wisconsin border. The border is shared with the Nicolet National forest. The Iron River Ranger District is 138,000 acres in size. Recreation opportunities include two camping for fee campgrounds and two rustic campgrounds. Three wilderness areas are located on adjacent districts. The area's climate is truly unique for each season of the year. The weather is summarized as follows: 31 inches of average annual precipitation, 68 inches of snowfall, an average of 62 frost-free days, 59 degree F. average temperature May through September, and long cold winters.
Four-season recreation is Iron County's claim to fame. 2,175 lakes and 902 miles of streams offer unlimited challenges for both warm and cold-water fishing. Three rivers on the district have recently been designated as recreational rivers under the Wild and Scenic rivers Act. Northern hardwoods, pine, balsam fir, and spruce cover 80% of the county. More whitetail deer Boone and Crockett entries have been taken from the forests of Iron County than any other Michigan county. Add to this, the title of woodcock capital of the world and one cannot find any better small and big game hunting anywhere in the Midwest.
When winter arrives, it's no time to rest. 212 miles of snowmobile trails connect to a vast system of trails throughout upper Michigan and northern Wisconsin. The Iron River District, in cooperation with Covenant Point Bible Camp, grooms and maintains a Nordic ski trail, and Ski Brule, a major ski resort, is just minutes from town.


Getting there

46.26200, -89.17510 · 46°15'43.2"N 89°10'30.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 78°F in Jul, down to 21°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F212537496474787668533826
Low °F2312253848525043322210
Precip in1.51.21.62.83.43.74.03.33.63.72.31.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Iron River Ranger District

Can you reserve a site at Iron River Ranger District?
No. Iron River Ranger District is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Iron River Ranger District

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Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.