Ontonagon County

Ontonagon County is the southwestern edge of Michigan’s historic Copper Country. Once driven by mining and timber, the local economy has transitioned toward tourism and outdoor recreation. Ontonagon County ranks as Michigan’s third-largest county by land area, yet has one of the lowest population densities, offering wide-open spaces and a true sense of wilderness.

The county holds Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park—the largest state park in Michigan and one of the Upper Peninsula’s top international tourism draws. The county is also home to other striking landscapes, including Bond Falls, one of the U.P.’s most impressive waterfalls, and the Ontonagon River system, which is central to the largest watershed on Lake Superior’s south shore.

While rugged wilderness experiences define much of the area, Ontonagon County also supports a thriving multi-use trail system and is the base of the predominant advocacy and maintenance organization for ATV and equestrian trails in the region. In 2023, outdoor recreation vehicle manufacturer Polaris began a first-global electric ATV trail circuit, including four charging stations at strategic locations around the county.