Ironwood & Gogebic Range

The Gogebic Range is a historical iron mining area that comprises parts of Gogebic County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Iron County, Wisconsin. The largest city in the area is Ironwood, Michigan, though there are several other smaller cities within the vicinity. == Regions == The immediate area comprises the western third of Gogebic County, Michigan and portions of Iron County, Wisconsin. == Cities == 1MISSING WIKILINK Ironwood - largest city in the area, and the largest on the Michigan side of the range 2 Bessemer - county seat of Gogebic County 3 Wakefield - city along the southern shores of Sunday Lake 4MISSING WIKILINK Hurley - largest city on the Wisconsin side of the range and the county seat of Iron County 5 Montreal - bedroom community of Hurley == Other destinations == 1 Bergland - Largest settlement on Lake Gogebic, at the intersection of M-28 and M-64. 2 Saxon Harbor - Location of Iron County's only harbor, destroyed during a 2016 thunderstorm and then rebuilt. == Understand == The cities of Ironwood, Bessemer, and Wakefield in the east, along with Hurley and Montreal to the west, share a history deeply rooted in iron mining and logging. In the late 19th century, the discovery of iron ore in the Gogebic Range led to a mining boom, attracting immigrants—especially from Italy, Finland, and Eastern Europe—who built the towns around the industry. Ironwood, the largest, became a regional hub with railroads and industry, while Bessemer, the county seat of Gogebic County, and Wakefield, near Sunday Lake, developed around major mines like the Colby and the Wakefield Mine. Across the border, Hurley gained a reputation for its bustling mining economy and lively nightlife, catering to workers from both states. Montreal, established as a company town by the Montreal Mining Company, became one of the best-preserved examples of planned mining communities. The mining industry thrived until the mid-20th century, when demand declined, leading to mine closures. Today, these towns embrace tourism, outdoor recreation, and historical preservation, with sites like the Ironwood Theatre and remnants of the mining era drawing visitors to the region. == Get in == === By car === The most realistic way would be to get in and around the area by car as the nearest commercial airport is in Duluth, almost exactly 100 miles away. ==== Area highways ==== US 2 comes in from the west towards Ashland and exits the area to the southeast toward Iron Mountain. US 51 ends at US 2 in Hurley. Southbound, US 51 heads towards Minocqua and Tomahawk. M-28 begins at US 2 Wakefield and heads east on a largely remote course towards Ishpeming, 120 miles to the east. M-64 begins at the Wisconsin state line at CTH-B. CTH B runs southeast towards Land O Lakes, while M-64 skirts across the western shores of Lake Gogebic, and ultimately toward the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. M-64 eventually ends in Ontonagon while the road continues northeast to Houghton. WIS 77 ends at the Michigan state line in Hurley. To the southwest, WIS 77 runs a largely remote course to Hayward. WIS 122 begins at WIS 77 in Upson, and runs along the west side of the area before ending near Saxon Harbor at the Montreal River. WIS 122 south of Saxon is in poor condition, though it is set to be resurfaced sometime in 2025. WIS 169 ends at US 2 in between Ashland and Hurley, while heading southwest towards Copper Falls State Park and Mellen. The section in neighboring Ashland County is also in poor condition, though it is also set to be improved in 2025. == Get around == As mentioned, the best way to get between towns will involve a car, though there is a trail that runs from Hurley to near Wakefield. == See == 1 Downtown Ironwood, 191 E Aurora St. Prime shopping center in the area. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Nee-Gaw-Nee-Gaw-Bow, 580 feet north of JCT US 2/M-28. Statue along M-28 and Sunday Lake. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Root Beer Falls (from M-28, turn at Wertanen Rd). Waterfall that resembles the look of Root Beer on the northeast side of Wakefield. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Bald Mountain Scenic Overlook (from Ironwood, go north on Lake Road; then turn off onto Powers Road (becomes a dirt road from this point)). Scenic vista of Bald Mountain. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Hiawatha. Large fiberglass statue of tribal leader Hiawatha. (updated Feb 2025) == Do == 1 Copper Peak, N13870 Copper Peak Rd, Ironwood, MI. Viewing platform at an elevation of 1500 feet on top of a chairlift. (updated Feb 2025) == Eat == 1 Olde Suffolk Ale House, 125 S Suffolk St, Ironwood, MI, ☏ +1 906-932-3198. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Rigoni's Bakery, 110 S Suffolk St, Ironwood, MI, ☏ +1 906-932-3810. M-F 7AM-5PM, Sa 7AM-4PM, Su 7AM-2PM. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Iron Horse Inn, 322 Silver St, Hurley, WI, ☏ +1 715-561-3196. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Iron Nugget, 404 Silver St, Hurley, WI, ☏ +1 715-561-9800. M-Sa 4-10PM, Su 4-9PM. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Pit Stop Bar & Grill, 202 S Sophie St, Bessemer, MI, ☏ +1 906-663-4001. M-Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 11AM-2AM. (updated Feb 2025) 6 Club 28, 203 Sunday Lake St, Wakefield, MI, ☏ +1 906-224-8781. Tu-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su M 11AM-10PM. (updated Feb 2025) 7 Den-O's Sports Bar, 401 Sunday Lake St, Wakefield, MI, ☏ +1 906-229-5949. 11AM-midnight. (updated Feb 2025) == Drink == 1 Cold Iron Brewing, 104 S Lowell St, Ironwood, MI 4, ☏ +1 906-285-7020. M-Th noon-9PM, F-Su noon-11PM. (updated Feb 2025) == Sleep == === In cities === 1 AmericInn by Wyndham, 1117 E Cloverland Dr, Ironwood, MI, ☏ +1 906-932-7200. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Quality Inn, 210 E Cloverland Dr, Ironwood, MI, ☏ +1 906-767-0993. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Snow Chaser's Lodge, 1602 US-2, Wakefield, MI, ☏ +1 507-218-7669. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2025) === Outside of cities === 4 Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort, 11375 Powderhorn Rd, Bessemer, MI (Main building), ☏ +1 906-932-4838. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. offers a variety of condos and rental homes nearby the main skiing attraction. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Whitecap Mountains Resort, 9106 W Co Rd E, Upson, WI, ☏ +1 715-561-2227. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2025) == Stay safe == Several roads in the area are dirt roads, which might be flooded during rainfall, and may be unmarked on many state and county highways. == Go next == Porcupine Mountains