Black River Harbor Pavilion
The Black River Harbor Pavilion is located within the Black Harbor Recreation Area on Lake Superior in Michigans Upper Peninsula. The historic stone and wood pavilion was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
The recreation area offers an enclosed pavilion with a fireplace and flush toilet facilities. A campground with first-come, first-served sites is also available. Facilities include vault toilets and a pressurized water system. A sandy beach is located on-site.
Notifications and Alerts
The Black River Harbor Pavilion is closed for the 2021 season.
To ensure the health and safety of its visitors, employees, and partners, the Black River Harbor pavilion is closed for the 2021 season. The picnic area will be open for use, and vault toilet facilities will be available. There is a day use fee associated with this site from May 15 – September 30, of $5 per day per vehicle, or an annual pass for $30 per vehicle. The annual pass covers Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, Sylvania Recreation Area, and Black River Harbor Recreation Area. Please plan accordingly to ensure you can pay the daily fee at the self-registration fee tube. If you would like to purchase an annual pass, contact the Ottawa National Forest at 906-932-1330 to purchase your 2021 annual pass prior to your visit.
These difficult decisions are not taken lightly and consider current risks to public health, the national effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and local community desire to access their public lands. Shutting access to recreational facilities is a particularly difficult decision for the Forest Service, and the agency is looking forward to the day when these facilities can safely reopen and are once again filled with people enjoying their public lands.
The Forest will continue to communicate with the public if there are any changes in status of recreation sites and facilities through press releases, website, and social media. To make sure you are aware of the most up to date information and status of this facility, please continue to check notifications here on Recreation.gov prior to your trip.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.
Need to Know
- The restrooms inside the pavilion are open to the public.
- No electrical hookups available at the campground.
- Click here to learn more about the Ottawa National Forest
- A request does not grant an individual or group exclusive rights to the occupancy and use of the day use building. For the safety and convenience of others, please do not block, restrict or interfere with the public use of the day use building. Please designate one person as the group leader and have that person sign and return the enclosed form to our office. That person will be responsible for the conduct of the group and will be the Forest Service contact.
- Groups over 75 individuals must complete an application for a non-commercial group use special use permit. For a permit, please contact Brian Hinch, (906) 358-4020.
- Parking: No vehicles are allowed on the grass. Please use the parking lot.
- All pets must be restrained or on a leash.
- Portable grills must be used in a safe manner. Grills are not to be used inside the building. Hot coals can be left in the fireplace. Do not discard used charcoal on the grass.
- Extension cords must be used in a safe manner. Electrical outlets are available inside the building.
- Decorating the day use building is not permitted.
- Loud music is not allowed.
- No overnight camping in the pavilion or day-use area. This is a day use area only, open from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Camping is only allowed in the adjacent campground.
- Remove all personal property when leaving daily.
- Gambling or gambling machines or devices are not permitted.
- The sale of liquor or other intoxicating beverages is prohibited. Also charging admission for picnics on public land is prohibited.
- Please pack out all garbage and litter with you. There are dumpsters available near the parking lot and boat landing
- Please do not use the restroom sinks for washing dishes.
- Be courteous to your fellow visitors.
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Natural Features
Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, and viewing waterfalls. The Black River Harbor Recreation Area has docking and fuel services for day and transient boaters, a boat launch, a large picnic area with a swing set, a campground with 39 campsites, beach access to Lake Superior, and five scenic waterfalls along the wild and scenic Black River. The day-use picnic area has a suspension bridge over the Black River with a hiking trail to a beautiful sand and pebble beach on Lake Superior. The campground is situated among hemlock and pine trees at an elevation of 840 feet, on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior and offers a scenic overlook of Lake Superior's Apostle Islands.
The Ottawa National Forest encompasses nearly one million acres on the west side of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The forest extends from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. It is distinguished by rolling hills dotted with lakes, rivers and waterfalls.
Nearby Attractions
For a panoramic view of the area, visit Copper Peak International Ski Flying Hill, a 17-story steel ski jump. Visitors can take an elevator up to the top. The attraction is a short drive from the campground. The Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park in Michigan can be seen in the distance from the beach and is less than a one-hour drive from the Harbor.
Recreation
Lake Superior offers great opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The North Country National Scenic Trail, which traverses through the recreation area, offers access to all five waterfalls and a scenic 12 mile hike to the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park in Michigan.
The Black River Harbor Boating Club sponsors an annual fishing derby over Labor Day weekend.
Contact Information
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E6248 US 2 Ironwood MI 49938
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 906-932-1330
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Black River Harbor is located in Gogebic County, Michigan, approximately 15 miles north of the city of Bessemer. Turn off of U.S. Highway 2 and travel north on County Road 513. The pavilion is located in the harbor day use area.
