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Recreation Region: Iron River Ranger District

Paint River Forks Campground

This campground is a small rural campground that offers river bank camping. Located at the fork of the South and North Branch of the Paint River it offers canoeing and fishing opportunities.

Current Conditions
Developed recreation site is open until snow closes access. Camping stay limits apply.

Reservations

No reservations - first come, first serve.

General Information

January 1 - December 31

24 hour/ day

No Fees required at this site

No fees. Please be aware that there are no services provided at this location. Please pack in pack out supplies and garbage.

New Watersmeet and Iron River Ranger District

Address: E23979 US 2 East Watersmeet, MI 49969
Phone: 906-358-4551
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (CT) (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.23240559

Longitude: -88.71756443

Directions

From Iron River, Mi., travel west on US 2, turn right (north) on CR 657, travel approximately 9 miles north, turn left to continue following CR 657, travel approximately 1 1/2 miles west to campground on right.

Closest Towns: Iron River, Michigan is approximately 10 miles to the southeast.

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Recreation Opportunities

Fishing - River/Stream Info

Golden Creek located in Iron County on the Iron River Ranger District runs northeast to southwest where it empties into the North Branch of the Paint River. To get to this stream from Iron River, MI take County Road 657 north, County Road 657 will become Ponozzo Road, turn left onto FR 2197, Golden Creek is at the end of the road.

  • Fish Species: Brook Trout
  • Fishing Mode: Bank, Wade, or Float
  • Fishing Platform: None
  • Cleaning Station: None
  • Accessible Platform: None
  • Status: Open
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Difficult

Boating - Non-Motorized Info

North Branch Paint River 12.5 miles of floatable/canoeable river. FH16 to FR 3152, 5.5 miles; FR 2152 to Paint River Forks Campground, 7 miles. Access and limited parking at pull-off on FH16. Canoeable below FR 2152 during average summers. Some portage around man-made and beaver dams may be necessary even during peak flow periods.

  • Launch Ramps: No
  • Trailer Parking: No
  • Class of rapids: Class I
  • Type of Craft: Canoe/Kayak
  • Fuel availability: No
  • Water/Flow Level: High Flow period is the 1-15 May
  • Marina/Mooring: No
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to More Difficult

Last updated March 27th, 2025

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