MENOMINEE RIVER STATE RECREATION AREA

The Menominee River State Recreation Area is a beautiful 17-mile stretch of undeveloped riverway surrounded by almost 10,000 acres of public land. As the border between Michigan and Wisconsin, the Menominee River State Recreation Area has features and amenities on both banks and is co-managed by the Department of Natural Resources in each state.

Hiking opportunities are available in the Piers Gorge and Pemene Falls Units. Piers Gorge Hiking Trail: The one and half miles of hiking trail and accompanying scenic overlooks at Piers Gorge offer the most spectacular views of the entire 17 mile stretch of riverway. Making it by far the most visited location within the Menominee River State Recreation Area. Access to the Piers Gorge hiking trail and scenic overlooks is off of Hwy 8 and Piers Gorge Road located just outside of Norway, MI.

This trail is made up of former logging roads and stretches of path cleared through the forest. The trail is accessed from the parking lot at the end of Verheyen Lane, off of County Road Z. Scenery is forested with some large pine stands and rock outcrops. The trail surface is natural materials, not graveled or paved. Most of the trail is fairly level, but there are portions of the trail on steep slopes and over rocky terrain. The trailhead leads to options to hike a short loop (0.8 miles), a long loop (1.9 miles) or to the overlook of Pemene Falls (0.5 miles). There is also a canoe/walk-in campsite that can be accessed from the hiking trail. Signage along the trail is minimal, but is present at key intersections.

Hiking Sand Portage Falls Hiking Trail: This trail is a wooded and open trail. It has a level mowed surface and moderate hills. The 0.5-mile trail takes you from the Parking lot off Hwy 141, just east of Knuston Road to a wonderful view of Sand Portage Falls and Piers Gorge. There is no designated viewing area, and the trail is quite rocky if you choose to climb down to the falls.

Piers Gorge Overlook: Piers 1, 2 and 3 are the best views from the Michigan side of the River. Access to the Piers Gorge hiking trails and viewing area are off of Hwy 8 and Piers Gorge Road. Pier 4 is best viewed from the Sand Portage Hiking Trail on the Wisconsin side.

Quiver Falls Overlook: Remnants of dams and cribbing (for log runs) are left from the logging era, and are visible upstream. It is accessible via Pemene Dam Road. A parking area and footpath leads to a viewing area and parking lot that are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Pemene Falls Overlook: This overlook is primitive and is accessed via the Pemene Falls Hiking Trail. Remnants of an old concrete dam still exist. During the spring flow, the water thunders through a granite constriction in the river corridor.

This stretch of river and roughly 13 miles upstream are some of the few remaining portions of the Menominee River still exhibiting the wild, undeveloped characteristics of a free-flowing river. Rustic canoe launches are available at Quiver Falls, a concrete boat launch at Saler Landing off Rattie Road, and the gravel Pemene boat landing off of Horseshoe Road. Other launches exist beyond the property and on the Michigan side. The majority of the river is broad and gentle, with some rapids. Pemene Falls to the south is a mandatory portage (Michigan side). The river features white-water rafting, with three major sets of class II–class V rapids. There are also scenic walking trails, and canoe campsites (Wisconsin side).

The Menominee River features world-class smallmouth bass fishing. Many other fish species are present as well. Fishing license required.

Hunting and trapping are permitted in the property during legal hunting and trapping seasons. All of the public land within the Recreation Area is open to hunting with upland game birds, whitetail deer, and small game being the major species abundant in the area. Hunting license required.

The property is open for snowshoeing and ungroomed cross-country skiing. Marinette County ATV/snowmobile trails cross parts of the property. Snowmobile trails that cross DNR lands are opened and closed consistent with the surrounding county (or counties) and is at the discretion of each county. It is the responsibility of the county to provide notification about the status of snowmobile trails. The Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report and local club and county snowmobile web pages and telephone hotlines will provide the most current information.