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McCormick Wilderness
Three generations of McCormicks, the descendants of Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the reaping machine, held the deed to this area before Gordon McCromick willed the land to the U.S. Forest Service. McCormick Wilderness has recovered from the logging era that ended in the early 1900's. Today, you'll find a mixture of northern hardwoods and lowland conifers interspersed with small patches of towering white pine, Michigan's State Tree. Straddling the divide between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, this region ranges from nearly level terrain to rocky cliffs. McCormick's water is what draws most visitors, with the Huron, Dead, Pahokee, and the Wild and Scenic Yellow Dog Rivers all have part of their headwaters within the wilderness. Many cascading waterfalls on the Yellow Dog make it unnavigable. The Yellow Dog is one of a few Eastern rivers designated "Wild". Eighteen small lakes add sparkle to the landscape. Trout, pike, and bass live here, but only in small numbers due to the less-than-fertile-waters. The three mile White Lake Trail connects County Road 607 to White Deer Lake where the McCormick Estate once stood. Remnants of old, unmaintained trails can sometimes be found, but the rest of the Wilderness is fairly rugged, isolated, unspoiled, and relatively difficult to access.
McCormick Wilderness Map
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | No maintenance after 10/15/2021. No toilet available at the Whitedeer Lake Trailhead. |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | January - December |
| Usage: | Light |
| Closest Towns: | Marquette, Mi. |
General Information
Directions:From Marquette Mi., Take Big Bay Road to Triple A Road to Ford Road to the boundary of the Wilderness. From Ishpeming take US41 west to MCR 607 and go north. From Michigamme or points west take M28 to US41 and then turn left on MCR 607.
Activities
Dispersed Camping
Getting back to what this area was like before the 1900's and camping in the wilderness is what one gets when they explore the McCormick Wilderness. The Wilderness is managed to protect and maintain resources in natural states. They are not managed solely for recreational use by people. Few amenities are provided in the wilderness, and users have a special responsibility to leave wilderness in a natural state. Campers should be prepared to pack in their water supply and pack out their trash. No waste disposal facilities of safe drinking water are available in these areas. Fires are permitted, but use of camp stoves is recommended for remote area camping. Low impact camping techniques that leave an area undisturbed after your passing are recommended. The Ottawa National Forest enforces a 16 day limit on camping sites. After 16 days, you must move to a new camping spot.
| Status: | Open |
|---|
Day Hiking
Yellow Dog Falls Trail located in the Northeast portion of the McCormick Wilderness is a 2.38 mile trail from trailhead to falls. From Marquette Mi., Take Big Bay Road to Triple A Road to Ford Road to the boundary of the Wilderness. The trailhead is located on the boundary
Click on McCormick Wilderness to view a map.
Areas for Day Hiking at McCormick Wilderness
Backpacking
Getting back to what this area was like before the 1900's and camping in the wilderness is what one gets when they explore the McCormick Wilderness. The Wilderness is managed to protect and maintain resources in natural states. They are not managed solely for recreational use by people. Few amenities are provided in the wilderness, and users have a special responsibility to leave wilderness in a natural state. Campers should be prepared to pack in their water supply and pack out their trash. No waste disposal facilities of safe drinking water are available in these areas. Fires are permitted, but use of camp stoves is recommended for remote area camping. Low impact camping techniques that leave an area undisturbed after your passing are recommended. The Ottawa National Forest enforces a 16 day limit on camping sites. After 16 days, you must move to a new camping spot.
Click on McCormick Wilderness to view a map.
| Status: | Open |
|---|
Location
