Ottawa National Forest McKinley Mine Technical Route
Upper Peninsula's toughest iron mining challenge
The McKinley Mine roads cut through some of Michigan’s most unforgiving terrain, where 1940s logging grades meet abandoned iron ore extraction routes deep in the Ottawa National Forest. This technical network starts near Watersmeet and pushes 18 miles through swamp, granite outcrops, and creek crossings that’ll test your diff locks and recovery gear. The old mine pit at McKinley serves as the halfway waypoint — a flooded crater surrounded by rusted machinery that reminds you why they abandoned this place.
Rate this Expert level — stock trucks turn around at the first washout. You’ll need aggressive tread, skid plates, and a winch for the creek crossings and mudhole gauntlets. June through September offers the best conditions, but even then expect axle-deep mud and fallen timber. No cell service once you’re committed, and the nearest fuel is back in Watersmeet. What you get is Michigan’s most challenging wheeling and camping spots that see maybe a dozen rigs per year.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1650 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Watersmeet, Michigan |
| Land manager | Ottawa National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I actually need lockers?
Stock rigs will get stuck. This trail requires a modified 4WD with front and rear lockers minimum — the historic mining roads dish out deep mud, embedded rock, and off-camber sections that will strand an unmodified vehicle fast. High clearance and skid plates aren't optional here.
When does the McKinley Mine route actually open up each year — and what's the window before it turns into a mud disaster?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt in the UP keeps these trails saturated well into May, and early October can bring early snow at elevation. July and August hit the sweet spot for firm-ish ground and passable water crossings.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp overnight in the Ottawa National Forest?
No permit required for the trail itself or for dispersed camping in Ottawa National Forest. Camp at least 200 feet from water sources and pack out everything — there are no established facilities on this route.
What's the nastiest section on this trail and what actually makes it expert-rated?
The technical rating comes from sustained difficulty across the whole 18 miles — loose shale on old mine haul roads, multiple water crossings with no guaranteed stable bottom, and deep ruts through sections of mature hardwood swamp. There's no single crux; the trail grinds you down cumulatively, and a breakdown out here is a serious problem with zero cell service.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any chance of cell service for emergencies?
Watersmeet is your last reliable fuel stop — top off there before heading in. Cell service is nonexistent on this route, so a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach isn't a luxury here, it's your emergency plan.
Trail track
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