16 Groveland 
wildlife viewing | directions and facility information
Photo: Doug Wagner, MI DNR
Groveland Recreation Area is located in Dickinson County near
the site of the abandoned Groveland Iron Ore mine, which stopped
production in 1980. In 1988 the Hanna Mining Company gave the State of
Michigan a gift of 5,637 acres of land, which has since been part of the
Copper County State Forest. The area is open to the public for fishing,
hunting and other recreational activities.
Covering more than 600 acres, the Groveland Mine's four man-made ponds
were used to supply the mine with fresh water for the production of iron
ore pellets. The ponds have an extensive shoreline as well as several
islands, creating a diversity of wildlife habitats and a unique wetland
and upland complex. The roads leading to these sites can be rough,
especially during spring and other wet periods, and are not recommended
for large RVs.
Construction of three new boating access sites started in the summer
of 2009 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-June of 2010. The new
boating access sites - which include a concrete ramp, skid pier, gravel
parking lot, vault toilet and turnaround area -
are located on Island Pond, West Pond and East Pond. The South Pond also
offers a boating access site consisting of a concrete ramp, skid pier,
gravel parking lot, and vault toilet. On the north shores of Island Pond
there is a fishing/wildlife viewing platform.
 Wildlife
Viewing
Gray tailings are visible in the pond
Photo: Doug Wagner, MI DNR
The shoreline and wetland habitats at this site attract
wading birds, especially during spring and fall migrations. This site
also draws loons, geese, sandhill cranes, bald
eagles and osprey.
The area is home to a wide variety of songbirds, several furbearer
species and the gray wolf. In addition to wildlife, the DNRE also manages
the four man-made ponds for a variety of game fish, including walleye,
bass, perch and crappie.
This area is open to
public hunting. For hunting seasons and regulations see the
Hunting and Trapping Guide or contact
the Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment.
The abandoned mine
structure to the north of the wildlife area is not open to the public and
is dangerous-do not enter.
Photo: Doug Wagner, Michigan DNR
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