Cheboygan County: Shorelines, Trails and Lighthouse History

Mullett Lake reveals a distinctive side of Cheboygan County: Aloha State Park is located in the county on the lake and has 4,000 feet of shoreline. The park also has a boat access site on Mullett Lake. The North Eastern State Trail runs alongside the park. Together, the shoreline, boat access and trail route offer practical starting points for a trip focused on water and cycling.

Cheboygan County also has shoreline along the Straits of Mackinac. Another water route is the 45-mile-long Inland Waterway. It runs from Lake Huron via the Cheboygan River, Mullett Lake and Indian River to Burt Lake, then continues via the Crooked River to Crooked Lake. Later, this route became a popular tourist attraction for boaters, vacation-home owners and people seeking recreation. The sequence of lakes and river sections gives the route its own geographic context.

Bike Trails and Different Route Profiles

Two bike trails can be distinguished by their length and described character. The North Eastern State Trail is a 70-mile rail-trail between Alpena and Cheboygan. It passes through wetlands, farmland, forests and small towns, and runs alongside Aloha State Park. The succession of landscapes therefore includes natural areas as well as agricultural land and communities.

The North Central State Trail is 75 miles long in total. Its surface is crushed limestone, and the terrain is mostly flat. Between Cheboygan and Mackinaw City, the trail includes a 16.3-mile section. This makes it possible to distinguish the specific section from the trail’s total length. For the North Eastern State Trail, the endpoints and variety of landscapes along the route are described; for the North Central State Trail, the surface and terrain offer different points of reference when choosing a route.

Lighthouse History and Regional Exhibits

At Cheboygan State Park, nature and history are part of the same visit. The well-marked trails offer scenic views and glimpses of rare wildflowers. The park also includes the foundation remains of Cheboygan Point Light, built in 1859. The surviving foundations point to the lighthouse’s history, while the trails draw attention to the landscape and wildflowers.

Spies Heritage Hall covers a broad range of topics: exhibits explore the logging era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, light industry and a one-room schoolhouse. They also cover everyday life in the 1920s, tourism in the early 20th century and military topics. Working life, education, everyday life and tourism thus offer distinct perspectives on the region’s past alongside lighthouse history.

You can arrange a private tour of the Cheboygan River Front Range Light by phone or ask about availability; it may vary. The Cheboygan Crib, the old lighthouse, is on display in a park at the end of Water Street, immediately east of US-23.

Planning Your Visit

Dousman’s Mill will remain closed during the 2026 season because of construction delays at the David A. Armour Visitor’s Center and restroom building. Reopening is scheduled for May 2027. Keep this timeframe in mind when planning a visit to the site.

Discover more destinations: Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Tuscarora Township, Genesee, Mason County, Lenawee County, Grand Traverse, Luce County.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.