03 Black River Recreation Area 
wildlife viewing | directions and facility information
Photo: © Dave Case
The scenic Black River
corridor is part of the U.S. Forest Service’s National Scenic Byway
system. Rolling forested hills, stands of old
growth forest, wetlands, waterfalls, and dramatic relief along the river
corridor grace this beautiful site. A campground, group shelter, boat
ramp, beach, and other developments can be found in Black River Harbor,
while much of the rest of this site is rustic and undeveloped. The Black River Harbor
is the only harbor facility the Forest Service manages in the United States.
Photo: © Dave Case
 Wildlife
Viewing
Hemlock Forest
Photo: MI DNR
Five picturesque waterfalls along the Black River
and large vertical bluffs along the Harbor are major scenic attractions
of this site. All are accessible from Black River Road. The North Country
National Scenic Trail is another excellent way to access the waterfalls
and old growth pine/hemlock forest that line the Black
River corridor. The North Country National Scenic Trail,
when completed, will extend 3,200 miles from New
York to North
Dakota. For more information contact: North
Country Trail Association, P.O.
Box 311, White Cloud, MI 49349.
Bald eagles have nested along the river near the North Country Trail.
National Forest Scenic Byway
Photo: © Dave Case
In addition to being very scenic, the Black River corridor is home to many uncommon and
interesting ferns and wildflowers, and songbird viewing is excellent
during spring. Watch for red-eyed vireos, hermit thrushes, pine siskins, and least and great crested flycatchers.
Gulls, mergansers, and other waterfowl are common at the campground and
day-use area beaches along Lake Superior.
Merlins have nested near the bluffs and are
often observed from the harbor. During spring and fall migrations, the
harbor area is an excellent site to observe migrating shorebirds, waterfowl
and birds of prey. A songbird trail with interpretive signage that
highlights resident breeding birds has been developed from the
campground. A songbird interpretive tape that features the trail and
resident breeding birds is available from the campground host during
summer months.
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