Photo by Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park
Just outside Mackinaw City is Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park. Overlooking Lake Huron, this is the site of the early 1800’s mill that supplied lumber for much of the area’s buildings. The mill began sawing lumber in the late 1700’s and much of the wood was used on Mackinac Island.
The mill, and a grist mill, were used into the mid 1800’s and was rediscovered in 1972 and archaeologists have uncovered remnants of the dam, two houses, a workshop and several other buildings. A National Registered Historic Site, the park opened to the public as part of the Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1984.
Visitors to the Park will find 625 acres along 3,250 feet of Northern Michigan’s Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, British workshop, and American millwright’s house. But visitors will also find a variety of family adventure activities including a zipline, forest canopy bridge, and a climbing wall all accompanied by a park naturalist guide.
Daily during the summer months are sawmill and hand saw demonstrations, and natural history presentations plus the adventure tours. During the winter months, snowshoeing through the nature trails offers a different view of the frozen landscape.
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park is located five miles outside Mackinaw City
There are daily historical demonstrations of a reconstructed 18th century sawmill featuring costumed interpreters. feature daily demonstrations . Sawpit demonstrations and historic farming programs reveal what life was like more than 200 years ago. For the nature lovers, there are 3.5 miles of trails with blooming wildflowers and an abundance of wildlife.
Experience a high-flying adventure through the treetops and above Mill Creek at the Forest Adventure Exerience. Activities include the Forest Canopy Bridge, the Eagles’ Flight Zip Line, and the Treetop Discovery Tower. Experiences run every half hour during the operating season.
The Forest Friends Play Area has fun activities like the Chickadee Zip Line and making birds sing on the Evergreen Trail’s Sounds of the Forest station. Live programs offer fun for all ages and the view from the top of the Treetop Discovery Tower is spectacular.
May 8th-August 31st, 2025
9am-5pm
Last Admission: 4:30pm
Adults: $11
Child: (Age 5-12) $8.50
9001 W. US-23, Mackinaw City, MI, 49701
(231) 436-4226
The Petoskey area of Northern Michigan has parks, waterfront, and riverfront areas that are just waiting to be explored!
Northern Michigan has many varied settings for kayaking- whether it by river, one of the inland lakes, or Lake Michigan,
Fort Mackinac is open from May-October and includes buildings restored their original look after the fort’s occupation by the British
Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.
Within the historic Chicago/West Michigan railroad depot in Petoskey, the Little Traverse History Museum is a history filled gem.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.