Schoolcraft County: Water, Trails, and History

Schoolcraft County brings together a variety of travel interests: water destinations, waterfront trails, and historic sites. Kitch-iti-kipi offers a unique viewpoint, while parks and coastal trails reveal other perspectives on the landscape. Architectural and local history also shape the range of noteworthy subjects to explore.

Water Destinations and Waterfronts

You can visit Kitch-iti-kipi, also known as The Big Spring, from a self-operated, accessible observation raft. Operating conditions may change, so check the latest information about the raft before your visit. Palms Book State Park is in Thompson Township in Schoolcraft County, about 12 miles northwest of downtown Manistique.

On the shore of Indian Lake, Indian Lake State Park covers 567 acres. The day-use area has a paved boat launch. The park also has a 75-yard sandy beach and a swimming area marked off by buoys. This gives you both a boating area and a beach with a designated swimming area; swimming conditions may vary seasonally. Check the latest information before setting out for the boat launch.

Trails and Distances

The Manistique Boardwalk runs for about two miles along the shore of Lake Michigan. Access to the boardwalk and Manistique Light is at Manistique Boat Marina, 300 South Cedar Street, Manistique, Michigan. If you plan to use this access point, check local access conditions before setting out.

The Haywire Grade Trail is a 32-mile historic rail-trail running from Intake Park in Manistique to Shingleton. Compared with the shorter Lake Michigan waterfront trail, the difference in distance is clear: the boardwalk stretches for about two miles, while the Haywire Grade Trail is 32 miles long. You can compare the two trails by length without losing sight of their respective destinations.

Architectural History and Historic Sites

The Manistique River Bridge was built in 1923 by local contractor Harry Erickson. Also known as Germfask Bridge, it is one of the earliest built and longest surviving examples of a Michigan State Highway Department design for long-span concrete girder bridges with arched girders on cantilevered brackets. Its construction year and engineering design offer two distinct insights into the bridge’s history.

Manistique Light, also called East Breakwater Light, is a red, square, pyramid-shaped structure built in 1916. It is 35 feet tall. Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse is operated by the Gulliver Historical Society in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division.

The Bishop Baraga Historical Site marks the approximate area where the Catholic missionary Reverend Frederic Baraga built and blessed his first church on May 15, 1832. Indian Lake Mission, in turn, was rebuilt at its original site in the early 1980s.

The Imogene Herbert Historical Museum, also known as the Schoolcraft County Historical Society, is housed in three buildings, including the Manistique Water Tower. The restored Manistique Water Tower provides space for changing and local exhibits. This links the museum’s use with a distinctive historic building, rather than simply bringing together a collection of exhibition spaces.

The Historic Manistique Water Tower was recognized as a state historic site in June 1979 and listed by the National Park Service on October 26, 1981. Together with the bridges, lighthouses, and historic sites, it offers a distinct way to explore the region’s history alongside its water and trail attractions.

Discover more destinations: Manistique, Chippewa County, Washtenaw, Clare County, Muskegon, Alcona County, Allegan County, Presque Isle County

For the main travel overview: Michigan.