Bessemer Ranger District

Bessemer Ranger District has a variety of traditional lands, fisheries, and timber programs with new challenges in wildlife partnerships, in recreation (Region 9's only Harbor) and with management of our Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Scenic Byway. The district has an excellent reputation for being team participants at both the district and Forest levels. There is something for everyone with 32 waterfalls; 1200 miles of rivers and streams; over 1,100 lakes; and 30 miles of Lake Superior shoreline just 15 minutes north on County Road 513.

It's a perfect spot for fishing, picnicking, swimming, boating, canoeing, hiking, camping and hunting for grouse, black bear, and white tailed deer. BESSEMER'S Fourth of July celebration and Pumpkinfest are among the finest in the Midwest, and involves the whole community. A Lake Superior fishing derby on Labor Day ushers in the fall color and salmon run for the Black River Harbor area.

The Black River Harbor Recreational Area is a popular destination for many when visiting the Bessemer Ranger District. This recreational area provides a marina/harbor, campground, watersfalls, access to the North Country Trail. BESSEMER is in the heart of Big Snow country where fresh powder graces four ski resorts with novice to expert trails atop three mountain ranges; kilometers of groomed cross-country trail; The almost one million acre Ottawa National Forest is located throughout the western half of the Upper Peninsula.

The forest has five ranger districts and a nursery that serves the Great Lakes area. The Eastern Time zone cuts across the heart of the Forest.