Black River Scenic Byway

State: Michigan
Length: 11.0 mi / 17.7 km
Time to Allow: 30 minutes

Black River Harbor, one of only two harbors within the National Forest System, is a popular recreation area throughout the year. The harbor is approximately 15 miles north of Bessemer, Michigan, at the mouth of the Black River. The Black River flows through areas of large pine, hemlock, and hardwood trees and has a series of scenic waterfalls as it drops to meet Lake Superior. On September 19, 1992, Highway 513, which follows this section of the Black River, was officially dedicated as a National Forest Scenic Byway in recognition of its exceptional beauty and recreational opportunities.

Stories

• Black River Scenic Byway Overview

  Jan 31, 2005

  From the weathered wooden docks at the Black River Harbor, the pines and hemlocks on the far shore ripple in the green waters of Lake Superior. The only sounds that break the silence are the lap of waves against the pier and the faint hum of a motorboat in the distance. You are experiencing a summer afternoon in the northern woods of Michigan, one of the many natural treasures of the Black River Scenic Byway.

• A Wildlife Photographer's Dream on the Black River Scenic Byway

  Jun 3, 2004

  Want to photograph a moose munching in a reedy wetland, an eagle soaring over forested expanses, or perhaps even a beaver employing his carpentry skills as he repairs his dam? Stroll along the trails lining the forested banks of the Black River and you may see these and other sights.