Photos by MackinawChamber.com
Just outside Mackinaw City is Historic Mill Creek. 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.
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 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.
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.
Early May-Late August
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 Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.
The majestic and historic Grand Hotel is one of the first sights visitors see as they head into the harbor on Mackinac Island.
Wilderness State Park’s 2,582 acres of natural area and 4,492 acres of wilderness area make this a great place to explore all year ’round.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
A visit to Northern Michigan is not complete without a walk along the Lake Michigan in search of Petoskey stones.
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.