Black River Harbor Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 24, 2026. Reservations available through September 30, 2026. From October 1-19, 2026, sites will be first-come first-served. The campground gate closes at 12:00 p.m. CT on October 20, 2026. No water will be available for the 2026 season.
From Recreation.gov
**No water will be available for the 2026 season. Please plan accordingly for your trip.** We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Small Craft Advisory issued January 19 at 3:28AM EST until January 20 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Marquette MI
* WHAT...For the Gale Warning, north winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and waves 9 to 11 ft occurring. For the Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, heavy freezing spray at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater occurring, and may rapidly accumulate on vessels. For the Small Craft Advisory, northwest winds 20 to 30 kt and waves 6 to 11 ft expected. * WHERE...Saxon Harbor WI to Black River MI, Black River to Ontonagon MI and Ontonagon to Upper Entrance of Portage Canal MI. * WHEN...For the Gale Warning, until 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning. For the Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, until 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ Tuesday. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning to 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Operating a vessel in heavy freezing spray is hazardous. Freezing spray may render mechanical and electronic components inoperative. Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures may result in a catastrophic loss of stability. Strong winds will cause hazardous waves which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning issued January 19 at 3:28AM EST until January 20 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Marquette MI
* WHAT...For the Gale Warning, north winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and waves 9 to 11 ft occurring. For the Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, heavy freezing spray at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater occurring, and may rapidly accumulate on vessels. For the Small Craft Advisory, northwest winds 20 to 30 kt and waves 6 to 11 ft expected. * WHERE...Saxon Harbor WI to Black River MI, Black River to Ontonagon MI and Ontonagon to Upper Entrance of Portage Canal MI. * WHEN...For the Gale Warning, until 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning. For the Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, until 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ Tuesday. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning to 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Operating a vessel in heavy freezing spray is hazardous. Freezing spray may render mechanical and electronic components inoperative. Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures may result in a catastrophic loss of stability. Strong winds will cause hazardous waves which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Gale Warning issued January 19 at 3:28AM EST until January 19 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Marquette MI
* WHAT...For the Gale Warning, north winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and waves 9 to 11 ft occurring. For the Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, heavy freezing spray at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater occurring, and may rapidly accumulate on vessels. For the Small Craft Advisory, northwest winds 20 to 30 kt and waves 6 to 11 ft expected. * WHERE...Saxon Harbor WI to Black River MI, Black River to Ontonagon MI and Ontonagon to Upper Entrance of Portage Canal MI. * WHEN...For the Gale Warning, until 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning. For the Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, until 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ Tuesday. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ this morning to 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Operating a vessel in heavy freezing spray is hazardous. Freezing spray may render mechanical and electronic components inoperative. Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures may result in a catastrophic loss of stability. Strong winds will cause hazardous waves which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
About
Black River Harbor Campground sits along Lake Superior in the Black River Harbor Recreation Area of Ottawa National Forest. The campground features 39 paved sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and motorhomes, with seven sites offering Lake Superior overlooks. Each site is bordered by vegetation for privacy and includes a fire ring and picnic table. Twenty-three sites are reservable while sixteen operate first-come first-served. The location provides exceptional access to outdoor recreation. A boat ramp offers access to Lake Superior for fishing and boating, while a historic suspension bridge leads to half a mile of natural shoreline for swimming. The Black River features five waterfalls accessible via short trails, and the North Country Trail passes through the recreation area. The harbor area includes a historic CCC-built pavilion and large picnic areas. Originating in Wisconsin, the Black River flows through forests of pine, hemlock and hardwood before dropping in elevation through a series of scenic waterfalls to meet Lake Superior. The tannin from hemlock trees gives the river its distinctive dark color. The area offers fishing for lake trout, coho salmon, steelhead, walleye, bass, and panfish.
Directions
From Ironwood, travel east on US 2 to Powderhorn Road, turn left and travel approximately 3 miles to CR 513, turn left onto CR 513 and travel approximately 11 miles to Black River Harbor Recreation Area.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $22 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| joseph.stieber@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (906) 932-1330 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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