Onaway Area
Chamber of Commerce
20774 State St.
Onaway, MI 49765

Phone 989-733-2874
Fax 989-733-8572
Email Us

Ocqueoc Falls is the largest waterfall that can be found in the lower peninsula.  The Ocqueoc River is unique in that it is one of the few rivers in Michigan that flows south to north and has two falls with an upper and lower falls about 300 feet apart. The falls picnic area also features the Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway. This pathway follows along the Ocqueoc River and has three, four and six and a half miles of groomed winter trails and many scenic summer hiking trails... The falls parking lot is reached by traveling east on M-68 from Onaway, approximately 10 miles to Ocqueoc Falls Road. This road makes a sharp angle intersection with the highway just after the highway makes a large S curve from east to north back to east. Turn left on Ocqueoc falls Road to the parking lot on the right.

Onaway State Park, about 6 miles north of Onaway on M-211, features 99 modern campsites in a pretty setting of virgin white pines, hardwoods and cedars facing on Black Lake. The park was established in 1921. Facilities include a picnic area, playground, beach house and boar launch. Activities enjoyed by both locals and campers include swimming, fishing and hiking. Fishing is abundant in Black Lake with muskies, perch and pike being caught. Those inclined to explore on land instead of the lake can take to the 3 miles of trails throughout the park property. The park is quiet and appeals to those who prefer a quiet, scenic setting.

Chandler Park is the city park named for the founder of Onaway, Merrit Chandler. It is located one block from the newly restored Courthouse. The park has also recently been restored to its 1920's glory for all to enjoy a stroll in the park or settle down for a pleasant picnic. The park is the site the annual tree lighting ceremony where dozens of Christmas trees glow with Holiday cheer. A pavilion and play area are among the other amenities.

Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground  Situated on the Ocqueoc River, just across Ocqueoc Falls Road from the Ocqueoc Falls parking lot. The campground offers rustic camping and fishing on the Ocqueoc River.

Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground About 10 miles south of  Onaway on M-33, Shoepac Lake is actually a 'sink' lake created by a sinkhole and is completely cut off from underground drainage. The lake is 18-20 feet deep with some areas over 100 feet deep. 500 feet in to the lake from the eastern shore is a sinkhole 120 feet deep with pine trees growing on the floor! The park also contains dry sinkholes. Also, in the same area is  Tomahawk Lake and Tomahawk Flooding State Forest Campgrounds. Take M-33 south from Onaway to Tomahawk Lake Road. Follow the signs to the sinkholes and campgrounds.

Onaway Historical Museum, Onaway. Located in the majestic, historical Onaway Courthouse, the museum hosts artifacts related to the Lobdell-Emory Plant that burned on 1926. At that time "Onaway Steers the World" was the slogan for the plant which was the manufacturing site of wooden steering wheels for the American automobile industry. The courthouse has gone through a community sponsored restoration.

Sink Holes - Mackinaw State Forest

About the Sinkholes and Lakes - a Karst Region

The bedrock underlying this general area is limestone, which will dissolve easily in water. Sinkholes are formed when large circular caves in the limestone collapse as the water dissolves the rock. This small group of sinkholes is only part of a larger 'karsts' system extending eastward to Lake Huron. Some sink holes like Shoepac Lake and Francis Lake are filled with water and some, like those on the pathway are dry. The bottom of the first sinkhole is more that 100 feet lower than the surface of Shoepac Lake, an unusual occurrence

This karst in Michigan lacks sufficient water pressure to flush out the overwhelming load of sand, clay and broken rocks from 100-140 feet of glacial overburden, which collapsed into the system sometime after the last glacier left the area. The top of the limestone bedrock is roughly level with bottom of the deepest sinkhole. The bedrock extends down several hundred more feet to the top of the shale layer, which does not allow water to pass through, as does limestone.

Silt and clay brought in by small streams have thoroughly sealed the bottom of some sinkholes thereby creating sink lakes. Shoepac, Francis, Tomahawk and Little Tomahawk are made up of one or more sinkholes completely sealed off from underground drainage.

Recent active karst collapse can be seen at the eastern edge of Shoepac Lake just north of the campground (1937 & 1976). This is evidence of the ongoing expansion of the sinkholes area.

The 2,600 Sink Holes area has been closed to all motorized vehicles. The closing provides a setting for those visitors who savor the forest solitude relatively free from the fast pace and noise of today's world.

The interior of the area only has a network of fire lanes which can provided access. It is recommended that you carry a compass and you know how to use it when you explore the forestlands.

You are requested to carry out whatever you carried in. Help us maintain Michigan's beautiful forest environment.

Black Mountain Forest Recreation Area   Hiking, cross country skiing and snowmobile trails with views of wildlife, Lake Huron and Black Lake. Close to camping, restaurants, and the               City of Onaway.

Black River - Blue ribbon trout stream. Michigan is blessed with an abundance of cold, quality trout waters offering 38,000 plus miles of rivers and streams, including over 12,500 miles of classified trout streams. Remarkably, 868 miles are considered premier top-quality streams, which Michigan classifies as its Blue Ribbon Trout Streams (BRTS). A Blue Ribbon Trout Stream must meet certain standards or criteria. It must be one of Michigan's best trout streams, be able to support excellent stocks of wild resident trout, have the physical characteristics to permit fly casting but be shallow enough to wade, produce diverse insect life and good fly hatches, have earned a reputation for providing an excellent (quality) trout fishing experience, and have excellent water quality. Management of Blue Ribbon Streams by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is directed toward accommodating the needs of trout anglers, maintaining strong stocks of wild resident trout that best suit the character of each stream, maintaining and enhancing trout habitat and the natural stream environment, providing adequate public access and public frontage, and preparing appropriate informational materials on these special Blue Ribbon Trout Streams of Michigan.

Click Map for Larger Image

Courthouse Restored 1909 Courthouse now housing the City offices, the Chamber of Commerce, the Onaway Branch of the Presque Isle District Library and soon the Onaway Historical Museum.

Metal Sculptures George Washington, A Giant Eagle, The Arm of Liberty, A Giant Butterfly  may be visible from time to time on M-68, the restored courthouse or around the area. Giant Metal Sculptures fabricated at Moran Iron Works of Onaway founded by local businessman Tom Moran.

Other Hiking/Biking: Top of Michigan Trails Council

MISSION STATEMENT:

To promote, enhance and contribute to the well-being of the business community while preserving the distinctive character, natural resources and heritage of the greater Onaway area as a basis of a healthy economy.