Summer & Fall · Hiking & Biking

Hiking & Biking

Hike the backcountry, ride the singletrack, or roll the gravel. It’s all close.

Trail Country

Hike it or ride it

The Penokees don’t quit at the property line. Hiking runs from a quarter-mile lookout to a backcountry summit, and the riding goes from in-town singletrack to gravel roads that last for hours. Most of it is self-guided and uncrowded, and a good share of it passes a waterfall. Pick a pace and go.

On Two Feet

Hiking

North Country Trail

A national trail, local miles

The North Country National Scenic Trail runs right through Upson’s backyard. The local stretch links Wren Falls to Foster Falls past river overlooks, the Tyler Forks, and Corrigan’s Lookout, with primitive campsites if you want to make a night of it. Hike a mile or hike all day.

A hiker on the North Country Trail in the Penokees

Corrigan’s Lookout

Short hike, big view

A quarter-mile off Highway 122 gets you to a rock outcrop over Upson Lake, the Gogebic Range, and Lake Superior on the horizon. It’s also a marked point on the North Country Trail. Best payoff-to-effort ratio around.

The view from Corrigan's Lookout over Upson Lake

Uller Trail

Backcountry, from the resort

The Uller Trail winds off the property and into the Penokees, a rustic backcountry route kept up by the Penokee Rangers. It’s groomed for skiing in winter, but the rest of the year it’s yours to hike. Quiet, raw, and right out the door.

The Uller Trail winding through the Penokee backcountry

Montreal Ski Trails

History underfoot

This county-forest network in Montreal threads past the bones of the old Montreal Mining operation. Hike the loops in summer and fall, or bring a bike, the trails take both. The history is the part you won’t forget.

The Montreal Ski Trails past old mining remnants

Copper Falls State Park

Falls and gorge loop

The Doughboys Trail loops about a mile and a half through the developed state park, past Copper and Brownstone Falls, the Tyler Forks cascades, and the Devil’s Gate gorge. Railed overlooks and footbridges keep it easy enough for almost anyone. A park sticker gets you in.

The Doughboys Trail through Copper Falls State Park

St. Peter’s Dome

Summit views

The hike up St. Peter’s Dome climbs to a bald rock summit, the highest point in the Chequamegon forest, with Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands spread out on a clear day. Figure a few rugged miles round trip, and tack on Morgan Falls while you’re there.

The bald summit of St. Peter's Dome

On Two Wheels

Biking

Mountain Biking

Ironwood singletrack

Fifteen minutes northeast, the Sisu Dirt Crew has turned the Gogebic Range into real mountain-bike country: around ten miles of singletrack at Miners Memorial Heritage Park in Ironwood, descents off Copper Peak, and the Wolverine trails nearby. Beginner flow to advanced features, all free to ride.

A mountain biker on Ironwood-area singletrack

Iron Belle Trail

Paved and easy

Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail begins its cross-state run to Detroit right here, at Ironwood’s Depot Park. The western end is a flat, paved path that crosses an old railroad bridge over the Montreal River into Hurley. Easy miles for a road bike, a kid’s bike, or a walk.

The paved Iron Belle Trail at Ironwood's Depot Park

Road & Gravel

Pick your surface

Quiet county pavement and more forest gravel than you could ride in a season fan out in every direction. There’s no single famous loop, which is sort of the point: build your own and don’t expect much traffic. The county trail guide is the place to start.

A gravel road through the Northwoods

Stay where the trails start

Base at the resort and the trailheads are minutes away, on foot or on wheels. Hike in the morning, ride in the afternoon, and let someone else worry about the drive home.

Chase Falls

Waterfall Tours

Half these trails pass one anyway.

On the Water

On the Water

Trade boots for a paddle.

Color Season

Fall Colors

These trails, lit up in October.

Ride

ATV & UTV

Same country, more horsepower.