Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness

United States of America

The Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness is a 14,729-acre (59.61 km2) unit within the Ottawa National Forest. It is located in Baraga County and Houghton County within the U.S. state of Michigan. The wilderness is accessible from M-28, which runs south of the unit in a west-to-east direction. The nearest

community is Sidnaw, Michigan, which is located approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of the wilderness unit's southern end. Today, the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness is a roadless unit within the managed Ottawa Forest. The wilderness centers on the Sturgeon River, a Wild and Scenic River where it flows through and along the border of this wilderness. Along the wilderness's northeastern edge, the Sturgeon River flows through the Sturgeon River Gorge, a 300 feet (91 m) deep canyon, and the approximately 15-foot (4.6 m) waterfall, Sturgeon Falls. After leaving the wilderness, the Sturgeon River discharges itself into Portage Lake and, ultimately, into Lake Superior. Large fauna within the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness include the black bear and the whitetail deer. Although the lake sturgeon gave its name to the Sturgeon River, as of 2011 few if any of these large fish return annually...

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