About BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION
Overview Planning a visit to the Black River Harbor Pavilion? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. 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. 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.Facilities 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.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
How to Get There
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.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
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Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
- 🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- 🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- 🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
🎒 What to Pack
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Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
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Sun protection (UV 7)
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
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Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- 🛍
Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION
Heading to BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION?
No central reservation system listed for BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233163) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION?
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.
How do I contact BLACK RIVER HARBOR PAVILION?
You can reach the park at phone: 906-932-1330 or email: sm.fs.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov.
References & Official Resources