More than 300,000 acres of publicly accessible land give Luce County a broad natural landscape. There are also 15,000 acres of inland waters and 32 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. Water and forest appear in different forms here: as lakeshores, river courses, old-growth forests or settings for logging history. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing places by their specific features rather than treating the entire region as a single nature experience.
Rivers, Lakes and Literary Landscapes
Luce County has 658 miles of rivers and streams, including the Big Two Hearted River. The Two Hearted River in the northern part of the county has a 35-mile main channel that flows into Lake Superior. McMahon Lake Preserve offers another perspective on the water: It lies within the watershed of the Two-Hearted River, which is designated a Natural River, and encompasses all of 45-acre McMahon Lake. Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Big Two-Hearted River” is also connected with the preserve. Here, a protected river system and a literary landscape come together.
Forests and Trails with Different Focuses
Tahquamenon Natural Area is considered one of Michigan’s largest old-growth northern hardwood forests. Activities available there include hiking, birdwatching, canoeing, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing and environmental education. This range spans everything from observing the forest to activities on the water and outdoors. The county also has 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 77 miles of designated ORV trails and 20 miles of cross-country ski trails. These figures refer to different types of trails and uses.
Muskallonge Lake State Park covers 217 acres and borders Lake Superior and Muskallonge Lake. The North County Trail runs through the park; short connecting trails link the campground to the route. The grounds also preserve traces of their past as a logging settlement and mill pond. Here, the landscape and human use go hand in hand: the park is shaped both by its location between two bodies of water and by the history of the former settlement.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park has several accessible viewing points for the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. A 17-mile paddling route also follows the Tahquamenon River between the Lower Falls and the area near the river’s mouth. This offers different perspectives on the waterscape: viewing points overlooking the waterfalls and a longer route along the river.
Logging History and Regional Culture
Tahquamenon Logging Museum displays original buildings and memorabilia from the logging era. A boardwalk and nature trail follow the Tahquamenon River and pass through the forest. Visitors can enjoy a traditional “Lumberjack Breakfast” in the authentic cook shack. Together, the museum, trail and cook shack bring together different aspects of logging history: historic objects, the riverside landscape and a traditional meal.
Luce County Historical Museum is housed in a restored sheriff’s residence and jail. Preserved rooms and features include original men’s and women’s jail cells, the sheriff’s office, the judge’s bench and the witness stand. Newberry is also home to the Falls Hotel, also known as the Newberry Hotel, built in 1915 in the Classical Revival style. The name is part of the town’s history; the historical information specifies its year of construction and architecture.
Oswald’s Bear Ranch also has its own focus on wildlife. The property includes a 240-acre refuge for rescued North American black bears. Free school bus tours cover rescued bear cubs and black bear conservation. The history of Crisp Point Lighthouse can be dated more precisely: the lighthouse was built in 1903 and commissioned on May 5, 1904.
Practical Information for Crisp Point Lighthouse
At Crisp Point, it’s important to distinguish between the grounds and the buildings: the grounds are open year-round, while the lighthouse and visitor center are closed in winter. The last seven miles of Luce County Road 412 to Crisp Point are a seasonal road and are not plowed in winter. Check road conditions before setting out. This way, you can account for the access situation without confusing the grounds’ year-round opening with the winter closure of the buildings.
Discover more destinations: Newberry, Eaton, Roscommon County, Muskegon, Baraga County, Benzie County, Shiawassee County, Osceola County
For the broader travel overview: Michigan.
