16 Groveland 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Photo: Doug Wagner, MI DNR

Groveland Recreation Area is located in Dickinson County near the site of the abandoned Groveland Iron Ore mine, which stopped production in 1980. In 1988 the Hanna Mining Company gave the State of Michigan a gift of 5,637 acres of land, which has since been part of the Copper County State Forest. The area is open to the public for fishing, hunting and other recreational activities.

Covering more than 600 acres, the Groveland Mine's four man-made ponds were used to supply the mine with fresh water for the production of iron ore pellets. The ponds have an extensive shoreline as well as several islands, creating a diversity of wildlife habitats and a unique wetland and upland complex. The roads leading to these sites can be rough, especially during spring and other wet periods, and are not recommended for large RVs.

Construction of three new boating access sites started in the summer of 2009 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-June of 2010. The new boating access sites - which include a concrete ramp, skid pier, gravel parking lot, vault toilet and turnaround area - are located on Island Pond, West Pond and East Pond. The South Pond also offers a boating access site consisting of a concrete ramp, skid pier, gravel parking lot, and vault toilet. On the north shores of Island Pond there is a fishing/wildlife viewing platform.

Wildlife Viewing

Gray tailings are visible in the pond
Photo: Doug Wagner, MI DNR

The shoreline and wetland habitats at this site attract wading birds, especially during spring and fall migrations. This site also draws loons, geese, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey.

The area is home to a wide variety of songbirds, several furbearer species and the gray wolf. In addition to wildlife, the DNRE also manages the four man-made ponds for a variety of game fish, including walleye, bass, perch and crappie.

This area is open to public hunting. For hunting seasons and regulations see the Hunting and Trapping Guide or contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment.

The abandoned mine structure to the north of the wildlife area is not open to the public and is dangerous-do not enter.

Photo: Doug Wagner, Michigan DNR