Marquette County: Trails, Mining History, and Nature

A museum overlooking the Carp River, Lake Superior shorelines, and trails through historic mining regions give Marquette County a diverse character. You can focus your stay on culture, nature watching, or outdoor activity: attractions range from exhibits on the iron industry to trails with clearly listed distances and elevation profiles.

The Iron Industry, Mining, and Skiing History

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the first ironworks in the Lake Superior region. Exhibits, audiovisual programs, and interpretive outdoor trails share the history of Michigan’s three iron regions and the people who worked there. The museum is also accessible to people who cannot use stairs; a wheelchair may be borrowed, subject to availability.

Another historic landmark is the Carp River Furnace, a restored furnace more than 140 years old. The Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum focuses on mining artifacts and photographs from historic mining operations. Check which exhibits are currently on view before visiting.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum is the national hall of fame in the United States devoted exclusively to skiing and snowboarding. Its exhibition space covers more than 15,000 square feet. An event also connects the region with skiing history: since 1926, the Ishpeming Ski Club has held an annual ski jumping meet at Suicide Hill. Check the current date in advance.

Shorelines, Forests, and Lakes

Presque Isle Park is a 323-acre wooded peninsula with pebble beaches, rocky cliffs, and wetlands. The John B. Anderton Trail System runs through the interior of the park. You can reach the park via the city’s multiuse trail or by car; access details may change seasonally, so it is worth checking before your visit.

Little Presque Isle offers a different landscape: sandy beaches and a rugged coastline with cliffs meet densely wooded areas. Geological features include exposed rock formations dating back 2.3 billion years and sandstone cliffs nearly 60 feet high.

Craig Lake State Park spans more than 9,700 acres in Baraga and Marquette counties and includes six lakes. Many miles of trails, including the North Country Trail, provide access to the area. Moose are present there in spring, summer, and fall; sightings are possible. Vehicles with high ground clearance and four-wheel drive are strongly recommended for the rocky access road. As road conditions may change seasonally, check them before driving.

At Sugarloaf Mountain, three viewing platforms offer panoramic views as well as opportunities for nature watching and photography. Hogback Mountain offers views of Lake Superior. Kayaking and canoeing are possible in the Harlow Lake Area.

Trails by Distance, Elevation Profile, and Difficulty

For planning, several trails are easy to distinguish by their listed distances or elevation profiles. You can reach Little Garlic Falls via a challenging 7.6-mile out-and-back hike or a shorter 2.2-mile alternative route. A relatively easy 2.8-mile trail leads to Morgan Falls outside the city of Marquette. The Jedi Trail in the Harlow Lake Area is three miles long; its elevation gain is 271 feet, and its total descent is 288 feet.

The Iron Ore Heritage Trail is 47 miles long and has ten trailheads in Marquette County. It follows the paths of early miners and pioneers and features historic sites, interpretive signs, and preserved artifacts. The North Country National Scenic Trail runs for 110 miles through the county. Both trails offer a different way to experience the landscape: the Iron Ore Heritage Trail adds mining history and historic landmarks, while the stated length of the North Country Trail makes its extensive route through the county clear.

The shoreline also provides a clear point of reference: Van Riper State Park has 1.5 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigamme and the Peshekee River. A paved trail runs parallel to U.S. 41 between the park and historic Champion.

Discover more destinations: Ishpeming Township, Marquette, Alcona County, Lenawee County, Emmet, Berrien, Sanilac County, Iron County.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.