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Walking/Biking/Nature Trails |
The North Country Trail 4,600 miles stretched across seven states all made possible by the hard work of more than 800 volunteers each year. This is the Great Lakes, the Northwoods, the path of westward expansion — a footpath linking communities from New York to North Dakota. While only a few have taken on the whole trail in one shot, thousands find their way onto a section of the NCT each year. Spring, summer, fall or winter, the vast geographic expanse the trail follows offers something for everyone year-round. Whether it’s winter camping and snowshoeing, long-distance trail running or a quiet weekend with the grandkids, you can find what you’re looking for on the North Country Trail. This trail can be rugged and welcoming, remote and festive. It’s all right there for you to choose your own adventure. Eastern Upper Peninsula Trail Highlights
East of Marquette, the route passes through public and private lands before reaching Hiawatha National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Within Pictured Rocks, enjoy the 43-mile Lakeshore Trail along the Lake Superior shore, one of the greatest hits of the entire North Country Trail.
Continuing east, the trail passes through Lake Superior State Forest, Muskallonge Lake State Park and Tahquamenon Falls State Park (home to the second largest waterfall in the eastern United States) before turning south to head through Hiawatha National Forest toward St. Ignace and the “Big Mac” bridge, which can only be crossed on foot during the famous Labor Day Bridge Walk.
The U.P.’s prime scenery includes large lakes, old growth forests, rugged hills and the Lake Superior shoreline, all set amid some of the most remote, uninhabited country found on the North Country Trail.
Ashmun Creek Natural Area
Is a 300-acre woodland right in the city. A series of interpretive signs explains the forests' structure and function. The nature trail is a great place to hike, mountain bike, ski, snowshoe (but be very careful of the snowmobiles!)
Directions to the trail
From the corner of 12th and Easterday (by the recycling center), turn south on 12th. At the dead end (2 blocks) turn left. Park at that dead end (1 block to the east). walk on the gravel road, look for the trail on your left (1/2 block). Follow the trail up through the tunnel, up the hill, down the hill, across the creek, and at the top of the next hill, look for the nature trail on your right (blue blazes).
Algonquin Ski Trails
While this area provides a great place for cross country skiing, in the fall and summer its also a nice place for walking! Located in a convenient heavily wooded area in the western section of Sault Ste. Marie. Three separate loops of well groomed trails total eight miles. The first loop lighted for night skiing.
The trail is located on west 16th Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
ORV Trail
The ORV trail/route system covers 3,200 miles with 73% on state forests. Of the system, 30% is cycle trail, 50% is ATV trail and 20% is route. In the Lower Peninsula, the system is the only legal place to ride Non-Secretary of State licensed ORVs on public lands other than frozen waters. In the Upper Peninsula, it is legal for ORVs to operate on state forest roads as well as the designated trail system, unless a specific state forest road is posted closed to ORV use. Trails are lightly groomed and riders are likely to encounter narrow sand trails, rough moguls, steep hills, stumps, rocks, brush, loose surfaces and other hazards.
Trail Maps:
Chippewa County
Luce County
Mackinac County
Additional ORV/ATV trail maps available here
*Photo courtesy of Michigan.org |
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Start at Michigan’s Beginning: Sault Ste. Marie
As Michigan’s first city, Sault Ste. Marie has earned its place as your first stop on a funfilled trip to the region. Some of our sights cannot be missed.
With a beautiful park, visitor center, observation platforms overlooking 1,000-foot freighters, and a mesmerizing fountain, there is much to do and see and every last inch of it is free of charge. (906) 253-9453.
Tour a retired cargo freighter, complete with exhibits on Great Lakes shipping, fishing, shipwrecks and more. (906) 632-3658.
Two historically-significant homes that date back to the 1820s have been restored and furnished with appropriate replicas and a third is the site of a museum honoring the region’s industrial history. Living history performances also scheduled throughout the summer.
At 200 feet above the twin Saults, the Tower affords the perfect panoramic view of the St. Mary’s River, Soo Locks, and Canada. (906) 632-3658.
Don’t just view the Soo Locks – live them! Climb aboard and let the friendly staff explain the history and function of the Locks. Ride alongside massive freighters and enjoy a snack or dinner on the water. (906) 632-6301.
Explore this expertly-arranged museum to learn more about Native Americans, French fur traders and others who settled the region from the “voice” of the River. (906) 632-3658.
Portage Avenue & Ashmun Street
Shopping, restaurants, sweet shops and more line these main thoroughfares. With a busy day of sightseeing, look no further than downtown Sault Ste. Marie for the sustenance you need to explore again tomorrow!
 Point Iroquois Lighthouse
This picturesque light station features a tower for climbing, a 50’s era museum for touring, and a boardwalk that begs for a stroll. (906) 635-5311.
Travel 114 miles north into the Canadian Shield, where you will witness pristine northern lakes and rivers, awesome granite rock formations and mixed forests. Once in the Canyon, visitors have two hours to explore trails, discover waterfalls, or hike to a breathtaking lookout. The ride is comfortable, the scenery unmatched and the experience thoroughly relaxing. (800) 242-9287.
The Wonders of Water
Wonders, both man-made and natural, await you to the west, when you explore the Whitefish Point and Tahquamenon Falls areas. In one adventure-filled day, visitors can paddle around Tahquamenon Falls, visit the shores of Whitefish Point, and scan water and shore from the top of Point Iroquois Lighthouse.
Whitefish Point Bird Observatory
Learn about the migratory pattern of birds that make the Point part of their annual flight path. (906) 492-3596.
 Upper Tahquamenon FallsThe Upper Falls are the largest at 200 feet across and a 50-foot drop. Enjoy the view both from an overlook and from the base. Afterward, visit the brew pub or ice cream shop for quick refreshment. (906) 492-3415.
Lower Tahquamenon Falls
A smaller series of five falls make up the Lower Falls. Of special interest is the row boat ride to a small island, complete with a walking path to view additional falls. (906) 492-3415.
Best known for its Edmund Fitzgerald memorial, this must-see lighthouse includes a first-class museum, theater, lodging, and gift shop. Stroll the beach in search of agates. (888) 492-3747.
Exploration doesn’t have to include a lengthy car trip. For some, exploring the greens and fairways of a new golf course is exploration perfected, although we admittedly try to avoid sand traps!
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre One of the few aviation museums that allow their visitors to actually climb aboard the aircraft; pilot a passenger plane from its cockpit, or climb into the cargo holds of a real waterbomber! There's no better way to learn -- and have fun! 1-877-287-4752
Click here for a list of local attractions
*Photos courtesy of Michigan.org |
Art and Culture Come Alive at Area Galleries
 Collectors and art enthusiasts will discover several hidden gems in Sault Ste. Marie, including an official U.S. Coast Guard artist specializing in oil paintings, a vast array of Native American arts, and even a shop that creates art through recycling.
The work of award-winning painter Jeanne Tubman can be found throughout Sault Ste. Marie – sometimes in the most unexpected places. From walls murals at The Antler’s Restaurant to exhibited original oil paintings at Alberta House Art Gallery, Tubman’s handiwork deftly tells the story of the region’s history and its most predominant influence – the water. One of only 80 official U.S. Coast Guard artists, it’s no wonder that one of her favorites is also a favorite of her patrons: “Frozen Escort” depicts a Coast Guard vessel as it guides a freighter through icy waters.
Tubman, who has been painting for more than 30 years, has produced 265 original paintings in the past four years alone. In addition to ships, she finds inspiration in lighthouses, waterfalls, and almost anything else related to the water, which is also the predominant view from her riverside home. Prints of her work can be found at several galleries and gift shops in the community and her original oil paintings are in galleries both locally and in nearby Petoskey.
 Visitors who crave a unique experience can contact Tubman about one-day oil painting classes, where a flat fee includes all supplies and “students” leave with their own original painting of a Northern Michigan scene. For information about Tubman’s work and classes, call her at (906) 632-9612.
From its beginnings, Sault Ste. Marie was first and foremost a Native American gathering place. The influences of the river, Mother Earth, and native culture can still be found on the walls and shelves of Mahdezewin International, a Native American art gallery located at 807 Ashmun Street.
Collectors will find the works of important Native artists, including John LaFord and world-renowned painter Mishibinijima. The gallery features birchbark paintings, porcupine quill baskets, items made of pipestone beads, jewelry fashioned from a variety of natural materials, carvings, soaps and oils –all created by the hands of regional Native American artists.
Interested in more than the next sale, the store’s owners, Richard Lewis and Maggie Marcle, consider their enterprise an opportunity to advance cultural awareness of Native American history and art. Maggie, for instance, speaks of the many school groups and others who visit the store for workshops on culture, language, and art. She welcomes inquiries from visitors yearning to learn more about the collaboration between Native American artists and the materials they fashion into works of beauty. With comfortable seating and the songs of Native American musicians playing in the background, Mahdezewin International creates an environment that lives up to the meaning of its name: Essence of life. Visit the gallery online at www.mahdezewin.com.
Making the most of their cozy location at 413 Ashmun Street, Riverstone Gallery owners Greg and Donna Steele bring an entirely different kind of art to Sault Ste. Marie. Computer motherboards become art deco wall clocks, old camera lenses become delicate wind chimes, old-fashioned film reels become wall art – the list of creatively recycled objets d’art is long. Regional collectibles are also on hand, including Petoskey stones, pudding stone products, jewelry made from Upper Peninsula - mined stones and metals, and an array of photographic prints featuring U.P. landscapes. You can reach the Riverstone Gallery at (906) 635-6033. |
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Boating, Sailing & Kayaking |
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Three Paddling Adventures in the Eastern U.P.
 Glide through the rivers and lakes in a kayak or canoe and you will catch a glimpse of the real Upper Peninsula. Come explore our quiet marshes, wilderness islands, and the wildlife that calls these spaces home. No matter your fitness or experience level, there’s something for everyone in our top three paddling adventures.
Explore the Les Cheneaux Islands
Spend a half day kayaking the Les Cheneaux Islands, where guide Jessie Hadley, of Woods & Water Ecotours, will lead you on a unique water-view tour of this gorgeous chain of islands.
You’ll paddle beside breathtaking shorelines, through a system of channels lined with historic boathouses, and past forested islands with limestone cobble shores, where a short hike provides a welcome respite.
Appropriate for beginners and advanced paddlers alike, the four-hour trip is made easy with the instruction, navigation and equipment provided by Hadley. Your guide is well-versed in the local ecology and geology.
Your four-hour excursion will feel like it is flying by, which means your next trip will demand a full day. Don’t worry – the Les Cheneaux area boasts dozens of islands and several great options for kayaking and Hadley is always game to set off on a new adventure.
It's a Family Affair
Why watch wildlife on television when your kids can experience it first-hand on a family-friendly kayak tour? Climb aboard a tandem kayak, where smaller children can safely accompany an adult as they make their way through marsh areas where fish, bald eagles, ducks, herons, and other wildlife abound. At a comfortable two hours, this trip is a great way to discover whether younger family members will enjoy paddling.
Children age three and up are eligible for the family trip, although Mom or Dad is probably the best judge of who is ready to slide into the front seat of a kayak. With an expert guide, scenic vistas and abundant wildlife, people of all ages will enjoy the two-hour excursion. Woods & Water Ecotours will customize any tour for those craving a kayaking adventure.
Strike Off On Your Own
Independent types who wish to strike out on a paddling adventure sans guide will find exhilarating options on rivers and lakes in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. In Sault Ste. Marie, the St. Mary’s River offers paddlers a once-in-a-lifetime experience – paddling through a maritime lock on the Sault, Ontario side of the river. (Just be sure to have proper identification and a marine radio before crossing into Canadian waters.) Sherman Park is an easily-accessible launch in the upper river and Aune Osborn offers an option in the lower river. In nearby Brimley, the Waiskey River is a pleasant journey for those willing to paddle upstream and then float back to land transportation. South of the Sault, the Les Cheneaux Islands area is kayak and canoe –friendly and Munuscong Bay provides a beautiful, scenic paddle. With abundant rivers, bays and lakes in the region, your next great paddle is never far away.
Guide Source: Woods & Water Ecotours
(906) 484-4157 |
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 Play in the snow and discover your inner child in Sault Ste. Marie, where an average 120 inches of snow falls annually, laying the foundation for the adrenaline rush that awaits you on our ski trials, tubing runs, snowmobile trails and more.
Hundreds of miles of well-groomed trails await you in the Eastern U.P., where snowmobile is the favorite form of winter transport. In Sault Ste. Marie, snowmobiles are allowed on most city streets, which link to a trail system that leads across the Upper Peninsula. Trail reports are available online and several events revolve around our love of snow machines, including the granddaddy of them all: the International 500 snowmobile race, held on the first Saturday in February.
Sault Ste. Marie has recently opened up the streets for snowmobilers this year, where automobiles now share city streets with winter’s most exciting mode of transportation.
The “Soo” has always been identified with snowmobiling, thanks largely to its status as home to the International 500 endurance race. Our community is surrounded by a system of trails groomed by the Sault Snowmobile Association and local businesses put out the welcome mats every winter for another active snowmobiling season.
Opening city streets is regarded by many as the ultimate invitation to the snowmobile enthusiasts seeking the right combination of city lodging, restaurants and entertainment near wooded, well-groomed trails connected to the city by a tunnel beneath I-75.
Trail Conditions
Enjoy Cross Country Ski-trails and tubing runs!
Algonquin Ski Trail is located in a convenient heavily wooded area in the western section of Sault Ste. Marie. Three separate loops of well-groomed trails total eight miles. The first loop lighted for night skiing.
The trail is located on west 16th Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. From I-75 Exit 392 travel west (left) on 3 Mile Road to 20th Avenue. Turn north (right) on 20th travel until road intersects with 16th Avenue/Oak Street turn west (left) onto 16th and travel west approximately a half a mile. You’ll find the ski trail on the left side of the road.
Sault Seal Recreation Area provides great winter fun for the entire family. With seven tubing runs, a ski/snowboard hill and cross country and nature trails there is sure to be something for everyone. The area is available for rent to large groups and school functions.
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