Black River Harbor Scenic Byway
Little Girls Point - Fall Foliage Color Tour
UP Color Tour trip to Black River Harbor - Scenic Byway Michigan 513
This tour can be a loop if the traveler wants to end up in Wisconsin and head west along Lake Superior. Or, it could be the first leg of an extended color tour trip into the UP, proceeding to the Porkies and/or beyond into the Keweenaw Peninsula.
 For a fall foliage loop, we recommend traveling via US 2
through Ironwood to Bessemer, Michigan. As you approach Big Powderhorn Mtn Ski Area, look for the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway turnoff. If you miss this, catch Michigan 513 at the first stoplight in Bessemer.
 Proceed north on the Scenic Byway to Black River Harbor. As you approach the harbor area, you'll see signage for trailhead parking for Conglomerate Falls. Further down the road, you'll see more signs for trailhead parking for the other waterfalls. We recommend you go directly to the harbor to get visitor literature and plan your itinerary. If you are only there for the day, you can visit these falls on the way back from the harbor.
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| ~~~"Click" on smaller images for a larger picture~~~ |
Harbor Park & Waterfalls
The park has several picnic tables, a pavillion, and a store-visitor center at the waterfront. > > > |
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Crossing the suspension bridge to go to the beach or take the alternate trail to Rainbow Falls. > > > |
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Rainbow Falls in Color! > > >
While we expected reduced water flows, the Black River was roaring the first weekend in October, 2005. > > >
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 See more Black River Waterfall pictures here
See more Harbor pictures here
Info on Black River Harbor Campground - here |
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Scenic Drive from BR Harbor to Little Girls Point
From the harbor, return south on the byway for about 10 miles, passing the turn-off for Copper Peak Ski Jump. Look for the intersection with Airport Road; turn right (west) on Airport Road. Continue for 2-3 miles to the intersection with Michigan 505. Turn right (north) and follow 505 to Lake Superior (at Little Girls Point). |
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| Little Girls Point Park & Campground |
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Lots of maples and red oak along the road but not quite at the peak of fall foliage color this particular weekend (near right).
The campground closes October 1st so the picnic area was vacant even though it was a beautiful fall day, (far right) |
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Most campsites have lake views and electric service. Rates are quite reasonable. The park is managed by the Gogebic County Forestry and Parks Commission. Sites may be reserved by calling 906-667-0411 or 906-932-1913
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Michigan 505 continues along the lake shore to Wisconsin. Waterfall seekers may want to visit Superior Falls at the power station on the Michigan side of the Montreal River. Once in Wisconsin, Highway 122 will take you back to US Highway 2. A few miles west is the intersection with Highway 169 offering a worthwhile color tour side trip through the quaint community of Gurney. Just south of Gurney is the road to Potato River County Park with two very impressive water falls. Click here for Potato River Color Tour photos.
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| Go Here for More Color Tour & Fall Foliage Recommendations |
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More Porkies - Waterfalls, Presque Isle River & Lake of the Clouds Scenic Area |
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Porcupine Mountain Resources
 Trail Map of the Porkies
Michigan DNR Porcupine Mountain State Park Website |
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Michigan UP Copper Harbor & Keweenaw Peninsula |
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Going east towards Munising and Pictured Rocks . . . More waterfalls and hiking pages from the Keweenaw Peninsula through Tahquemenon Falls to Sault Ste. Marie.
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Fall Color Tour Map
