Lodging, Businesses and Recreation
in Iron County Michigan

Including the towns of
Crystal Falls, Iron River,
Caspian, Gaastra, Alpha, and Amasa
in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

 

Cabins, Cottages, Resorts, Motels, Hotels, Restaurants, Museums, and other Businesses
near Iron River and Crystal Falls MI, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Bigfoot Hide away Motel and Lodge is located in Crystal Falls, MI (15 miles east of Iron River). The Bigfoot Hideaway offers 6 rooms, some decorated with a Bigfoot theme. All rooms include Dish TV, a mini-fridge, Wi-Fi, and HDMI cables to stream to TVs. Two designated pet rooms.  Easy ATV and snowmobile trail access. Gift Shop with a variety of Bigfoot items. Restaurant nearby. 130 9 Highway US-2, Crystal Falls, MI. Phone: 906 464-8506

Businesses
Iron Mountain PowerSports/Ride North is a full service dealer offering sales, certified service, and parts in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Sales of boats, pontoons, motors, ATV's, UTV's, snowmobiles, and motorcycles. Iron Mountain Powersports, 1804 N Stephenson Ave, Iron Mountain, MI. 49801. Phone: 906-779-1720.

The Markell Company: Roofing: Commercial & Residential; Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication; Commercial Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning; Commercial Kitchen Hoods; Dust and Fume Exhaust Systems; and Brick Restoration & Waterproofing for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin at The Markell Company, 1227 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Iron Mountain, MI. Phone (906) 774-0240 or Toll Free: 1-888-799-0240.

Northern Michigan Land Brokers offers property in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our office is located in Marquette but we feature a wide variety of waterfront, recreational, preservation, hunting tracks, and commercial properties, as well as cabins, cottages, and residential homes throughout the Upper Peninsula. We are a buyer-seller agency.  Contact one of our knowledgeable agents to find that property you have always desired. Northern Michigan Land Brokers, 2552 US 41 West, Suite 100, Marquette, MI 49855. Phone: 906-225-5263.

RECREATION

BLUES FEST: End of Summer Blues Fest August 28, 2021 at the Pavilion in Alpha, MI. Gates open at 12 noon, Music begins at 1 pm. Bring a chair and enjoy music, refreshments, and a Blues-berry Pie Eating Contest.  Local artists on the ground displaying unique hand-crafted work in a multitude of mediums.

HIKING and BIKING
The Apple Blossom  Trail leads from the campground in downtown and follows the Iron River for 2 miles to the Iron County Museum in Caspian, a very interesting museum featuring local history. There are natural history signs along the trail including a wayside that marks the place where iron ore was discovered in the Iron River area in 1851.

The Iron County Heritage Trail is a 36-mile trail connecting 14 historical sites in Iron County, some on the National Historic Register. The trail is a loop from Iron River to Crystal Falls with spurs for visiting some of the sites not included in the loop. You do not need to hike or bike to see these historical sites as many can also be seen by car.(brochure and map of sites)

RAFTING
Knuckleheads Kayak Rental. Knuckleheads Kayak Rental is a kayak rental company located in Channing, MI. We offer a variety of kayaking services and rentals to help you explore the natural beauty of the area. Our experienced staff is dedicated to providing you with the best possible experience on the water.

Rafting at Piers Gorge with Northwoods Adventures in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Located at the corner of M-95 & US-2 on the north side of Iron Mountain, Northwoods Adventures offers several rafting trips daily. Experienced rafting guides. All equipment provided. Call to schedule a thrilling ride down these exciting rapids. Northwoods Adventures Rafting Outfitter, N4017 US Highway 2, Iron Mountain, MI 40901. Phone: 906-563-5450

Horserace Rapids on the Paint River
6 miles south of Crystal Falls

A path wanders down from the high bluff past large rocks and around tall pine trees to the rushing rapids 80' below. Watch for the sign to Horserace Rapids and turn east. A gravel road leads 3 miles east to the parking area.

Events
JULY: Don't miss the Annual Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo in Iron River, MI.
Bull Riding, Roping, Bareback Riding, Steer Wrangling, Barrel Racing, plus much more.
Parade and craft show

 Museums and Historic Buildings

museum in iron river

Iron County Historical Museum,
100 Brady Avenue, PO Box 272
Caspian, MI 49915
Phone: (906) 265-2617 or 906-265-3942.

10 acre museum, located on the site of the former Caspian Iron Mine near Iron River, MI, features 22 buildings and exhibits from early logging, pioneer, and mining days.

 

The main building is in the former Engine House of the Caspian Iron Mine, and the 1921 head frame or hoisting building (pictured above) is on the National Historic Register. See the Monigal miniature logging display, one of the largest in the world. Buildings on the grounds include log barns, pioneer log cabins, depot, 1920 logging camp with sleigh barn and homestead cabin, Native American artifacts, and a 1896 school. See the 1890 victorian style home of Carrie Jacobs-Bond, composer of "I Love You Truly" and "A Perfect Day", who lived in Iron County with her husband who was a mine doctor. Enjoy the Wildlife Art Gallery of Lee LeBlanc, the Giovanelli Italianati Art Gallery, and the Bernhardt Contemporary Art Gallery .

Genealogy and Archival Research. Gift Shop. Events scheduled throughout the year. Open daily, May-September and by appointment. 1 mile east of M-189. Small admission charge.

Harbour House Heritage Center Museum, Crystal Falls, Michigan

Harbour House Heritage Center Museum
17 North 4th Street
Crystal Falls, MI. 49920
Phone: 906-875-4341 or 906-875-6026.

Located in a restored Queen Anne Colonial Revival home built in the 1890's for John and Ellen Harbour.

The first floor is decorated with period turn-of-the-century furnishings and there is a library room that contains 100 years of the Diamond Drill, a former local newspaper, and other records. The second floor has 6 exhibit rooms: Logging and Mining Room, Women's Interest Room, Veteran's Room, Children's Antique Toy Room, and Local Trophy and Sports Room. The Ojibwe Indian Room holds a large American Indian collection that is dedicated to the memory of Charlotte Bennet Eckerberg and is a tribute to the many generations of Ojibwa Indians who lived in this area. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tuesday - Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 pm.

The Amasa Museum

The Amasa Museum is located on Pine Street in Amasa, MI, 12 miles north of US-2 and just off US-141 on Pine Street. Formerly a Township Hall, the building was built in the late 1800's with wooded siding and hardwood floors. See displays of mining and logging industries that were important in the building of Amasa, a major hub for logging and rail transportation. Old depot still stands. Several other historic buildings on Pine Street. Open Monday through Saturday, June to October. Phone: 906-822-7714.

Alpha Historic Circle
Porter School Alpha MI
Alpha Mi Museum
Alpha MI Town Hall
Historic Buildings in Alpha, Michigan

Alpha Circle Historic District, County Road 424, in Alpha, MI, a village that grew up during the iron mining era. The Porter School, Alpha Township Hall, Water tower, and the First National Bank building were constructed around a traffic circle (1914). On the National Register of Historic Places.

 

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Photo: Horserace Rapids by Mary Deloria