Snowmobiling
The Big Snow Country is a snowmobiler’s mecca with more than 2,000 miles of groomed trails. Big Powderhorn Resort allows for direct access to the trails that include unplowed logging roads, railroad grade, and secluded trails through the National Forest. Your family and friends can tour through thick cedar groves or ride past breathtaking caverns along Lake Superior with unique rock formations and frozen waterfalls. Take a ride through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, over Lake Gogebic, or through the open prairie land to experience one of the premiere snowmobile riding locations in North America.
Snowmobile season generally starts December 1st and runs through the end of March. Michigan State permits must be displayed on your sled and are available for purchase online at michigan.gov.
- Cloverland Motors- 800-932-1202 | 6.3 miles from BPLA
- Eagle Allsports- 715-561-2593 | 9.6 miles from BPLA
Cross Country Skiing
- The Western U.P. offers over 100km of Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Trails for every ability level! Click here for trail updates!
- ABR Ski Trails: Ski touring center located on over 1100 scenic acres of varied terrain along the Montreal River in Ironwood, MI. They offer skate/classic combination trails along with singletrack classic and even snowshoeing and multi-use/skijoring trails. ABR also provides equipment rental, warming huts, saunas & showers and ski lessons.
- Montreal & Uller Ski Trails: The Montreal Trails pass by the remnants of the Montreal Mining operation and provide a variety of options to ski the right distance and difficulty for your ability. The Uller Trails offer 11 miles of backcountry skiing through remote and hilly terrain. Click here for a trail map.
- Wolverine Trail System: The main trail head/warming chalet is located of Section 12 Rd & east on Sunset Rd. Groomed trail system consisting of 3 large loops for mountain bikes, 8 nordic skiing trails and 4 snowshoe trails. The Wolverine Trails can be accessed directly from the Big Powderhorn Resort. There is a new trail head just west off Powderhorn Rd and skiers may also access the trails from Big Powderhorn Mountain. Wolverine Ski Trails is a non-profit, tax exempt organization with the mission to preserve and promote Nordic skiing and life-long physical fitness.
- Mt. Zion Trail: Located on the campus of Gogebic Community College, Mt. Zion is the oldest winter recreation complex in “Big Snow Country”. Mt. Zion offers a free cross country ski trail.
- Miner’s Ski Trail: The Miners Memorial Heritage Park is a group of trails used for silent sport activities. While hiking these trails you can enjoy the fun interactive and interpretive signs that show the history of the miners. These trails offer 4.6km of cross country skiing in Ironwood Michigan. Click here for trail maps.
Snowshoe Trails
The opportunities for snowshoeing are virtually unlimited! Click here for trail updates!
- ABR Ski Trails: Ski touring center located on over 1100 scenic acres of varied terrain along the Montreal River in Ironwood, MI. They offer skate/classic combination trails along with singletrack classic and even snowshoeing and multi-use/skijoring trails. ABR also provides equipment rental, warming huts, saunas & showers and ski lessons.
- Miner’s Ski Trail: The Miners Memorial Heritage Park is a group of trails used for silent sport activities. While hiking these trails you can enjoy the fun interactive and interpretive signs that show the history of the miners. Click here for trail maps.
- MI Welcome Center Loop: This picturesque loop takes you from the tourist center, next to the Montreal River and into a winter wonderland of frosty trees. The trail system consists of 3 loops or 1 big loop of a half mile, 1 mile or 1.5 miles.
- Split Rock Trails: Hike, bike, or snowshoe the historic Flink Location iron ore mine. The Split Rick Trails offer a beautiful forest tour, which includes stunning scenic overlooks, various rock formations & remnants of a once thriving U.P mining town.
- Wakefield Sunday Lake: North side of the lake has free snowshoe trails.
- Wolverine Trail System: The main trail head/warming chalet is located of Section 12 Rd & east on Sunset Rd. Groomed trail system consisting of 3 large loops for mountain bikes, 8 nordic skiing trails and 4 snowshoe trails. The Wolverine Trails can be accessed directly from the Big Powderhorn Resort. There is a new trail head just west off Powderhorn Rd and skiers may also access the trails from Big Powderhorn Mountain. Wolverine Ski Trails is a non-profit, tax exempt organization with the mission to preserve and promote Nordic skiing and life-long physical fitness.
- Porcupine Mountain State Park: Offers more than 25 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails that surround the Porcupine Mountain Ski Area. The Porcupine Mountains State Park also has nearly 90 miles of trails for ungroomed cross-country skiing. The ski area also offers ski and snowshoe rentals. Click here for a trail map.
Looking for more trails? The Mecca and Sylvania Wilderness Trails are just a handful of skiing adventures that are a bit of a longer distance from Big Powderhorn Resort.
Waterfalls
*Please be aware that some parking areas may not be plowed frequently. Many of these trails are also not groomed in the winter, please use caution. Snowshoes are recommended.
- Powderhorn Falls: This is a nice waterfall off of Powderhorn road. There is a small trail near the edge of the road that will lead you to the top of the falls. At the falls there is a wooden swing chair perfect for picnics!
- Interstate Falls: Interstate Falls is a 19-foot waterfall on the Montreal River, along the border between Wisconsin and Michigan. A .03 mile easy trail through hardwood-hemlock forest leads to the falls. Once you reach the falls there are overlooks and viewing areas to take in the beauty. *parking lot is usually plowed
- Gabbro Falls: A very lovely waterfall that is also largely wild, despite being just a short walk from your car. This is one of the best waterfalls in the western U.P. Located at the base of Blackjack Mountain.
- Black River Falls: Black River Falls consists of 5 amazing waterfalls (Great Conglomerate, Potawatomi, Gorge, Sandstone, and Rainbow falls) only minutes away from BPLA. This parkway ends at Black River Harbor where you can hike more trails or take a lunch break on the picnic tables.
- Porcupine Mountain State Park: There are many frozen waterfalls to explore in the state park! Click here for details.
- Big Powderhorn Mountain- 800-501-7669 (Rents both XC skis & snowshoes)
- Hobby Wheel- 906-932-3332 (Rents both XC skis & snowshoes)
- Iron County UW-Extension- 715-561-2695 – Free snowshoe rental for anyone (Snowshoes only)