16 Groveland 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Photo: Doug Wagner, MI DNR

The Groveland Iron Ore Mine stopped production in 1980. During its operation, the mine created large settling basins for its mine tailings. These basins make up four large ponds, now re-vegetated, covering over 600 acres. The ponds have an extensive shoreline, plus several islands, creating a diversity of wildlife habitats and a unique wetland and upland complex. The unimproved roads leading to this site are rough, especially during spring and other wet periods. This road is not recommended for large RVs. There are several unimproved water access sites on the ponds.

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 attracts loons, geese, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey. One of the ponds has an active great blue heron rookery, with nesting cormorants mixed in. The area is home to a wide variety of songbirds, several furbearer species and the threatened gray wolf. In addition to wildlife, the MDNR also manages the old settling ponds for a variety of game fish, including walleye, bass, perch, and crappie.

This area is open to public hunting. Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for hunting seasons and regulations.

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