Cruisin’ Gogebic County

There is a lot of great motorcycling to be had in Gogebic County.  The area is home to some fantastic waterfalls, some great roads, and some interesting sights.  Many riders enter Gogebic County on their ride up to the Keweenaw Peninsula via Highway 45.

The Yooper Cannonball gets its start when you cross over the Montreal River from Wisconsin Highway 122.   To the north of Ironwood, the largest city in Gogebic County you’ll find the Black and Presque Isle Rivers.  On these two rivers you’ll find some of the best waterfalls in the U.P.

There are a couple of great campgrounds in Gogebic County if you’re doing some bike camping.  You have the Presque Isle Campground in the Porcupine Mountains State Park and another nice one is the Lake Gogebic State Park on the shoreline of Lake Gogebic.

I haven’t spent much time in Ironwood, but when there I’ve found several great places to eat and will look to find some more next summer.

Roads

The South Boundary Road connects the north and south end of the Porcupine Mountains State Park. One of the best motorcycling roads in the U.P. you’ll find the road just outside the Presque Isle Campground. 

The East Shore Road takes you around the east side of Lake Gogebic.  It’s a nice ride even though you really don’t see the lake.  

Wisconsin Highway B is not in the U.P. but its so close it would be a shame not to mention it to you.  You’ll find Highway B by dropping south out of Marenisco to Presque Isle, Wisconsin.  Then it’s a sweet ride west through Wisconsin’s north country.  Eventually the road takes you into Land O’ Lakes Wisconsin and then up to Watersmeet and Highway US-2.

M-64 takes you around the west side of Lake Gogebic. There are some great lodges along lake that offer some pretty darn good food. 

Area Sights

If you like waterfalls, you’re going to like riding Gogebic County.  On the Black River you find fall after fall, each one a little different than the others.  All within each walking distance from the remote parking areas.   On the Presque Isle River in the Presque Isle Campground you find a set of three grand waterfalls.