Tucked away just east of Cheboygan on the Straits of Mackinac and near the northernmost tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula lies Cheboygan State Park. The area is low-traffic, because tourists are flocking to nearby Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and Mackinac Island. If you time it right, you can have the entire picnic grounds to yourself! Explore the dunes and the trees; watch an eagle soar lazily on the thermals; or amuse yourself skipping stones on Lake Huron from the picturesque white sand beach of Duncan Bay. Cheboygan State Park provides a great getaway to enjoy Michigan’s complexity of beautiful wilderness.
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Step into a John Denver Song
Cheboygan State Park boasts an unusually high concentration of various habitats. The sand dunes and sub alpine forest blend in places, creating woods, marshes, and interdunal wetlands. Miles of trails will lead you through the park, with opportunities for birding, glimpsing rare flowers, and seeing Michigan’s wildlife. It’s not uncommon to hear bobcats calling out at night, although they are shy and keep away from visitors and campers.
The picnic grounds in the day-use section of the park are expansive. The tables and grills are widely spaced and allow for a great measure of privacy. There is a lot of room to stretch the legs, and the staggered clusters of trees invite you to explore – there are any number of private groves and secret places waiting to be found.
A convenient location, yet it feels so remote
The park is easily accessible via Highway 23, which runs across the northern end of the peninsula - sometimes right along the water. The city of Cheboygan is only 2 miles to the west, and offers all the comforts of having a town nearby for supplies.
One of the great charms of this park is that it feels more like a forest in the U.P. (the Upper Peninsula) than somewhere below the Mackinac Bridge. The notes of cedar and pine in the air mix with the freshwater-sea breeze coming in from the bay. It’s a wild place, serene, with a quiet rustle in the trees that whispers of being far, far from the influence of man.
Gorgeous beaches and access to the bay
A sandy path leads from the parking area to the beach house, a structure which includes restrooms and a large picnic shelter. This building sits overlooking the bay, and the view is gorgeous. Sand dunes make way to the white sandy beach. The Great Lakes are known for their clean sand and clear water, and Duncan Bay is no exception. It’s easy to lose hours beachcombing, skipping stones, swimming, or just watching the seagulls and the waves.
Many ways to enjoy the park
Come for lunch on your way somewhere else, or stay and explore. Modern camping and rustic cabin and teepee rentals are available! The park is open year-round. Hiking and ski trails provide access to 1250 acres of wilderness. Parts of the park are open to hunting. Fish for trout in Elliot Creek. A small boat ramp lets you get your small boat right out into the lake. For large events, the clubhouse can be reserved, free of charge, although the park itself required a Recreation Pass. This window sticker will allow access to all of Michigan’s state parks.
A classic Michigan park with modern amenities
Like many of Michigan’s parks, Cheboygan State Park has been established for a long time, and has a timeless feel. The playground equipment was built to last, and has been well-maintained. Watch out, the classic metal slides are delightfully fast!
The campground facilities are considered modern, with real restrooms and showers. As mentioned above, the park also boasts teepees you can rent, which are more reminiscent of classic Hollywood than they are authentic. Several rustic cabins are available, overlooking the beach. If camping isn’t your thing, a modern lodge near the park has all the comforts of home.
Step off the beaten path
When you take some time to visit Cheboygan State Park, you’re taking a moment to experience the natural wonder that is Upper Michigan. Come explore a unique habitat just outside of Michigan’s prime tourism area.
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