Waterways and Delta Landscape
The Blueways of St. Clair include more than 150 miles of waterways on 17 paddling routes along ten different bodies of water through St. Clair County. The Bridge to Bay Trail offers a contrast on land: it runs through Algonac State Park and is open to hiking, running and cycling. When choosing between these two outdoor activities, the main difference is how you get around: paddle the Blueways; explore the trail on foot, running or by bicycle.
The Dickinson Island/Harsen's Island Marshes are part of the St. Clair River Delta, one of the largest freshwater deltas in the Great Lakes watershed. It encompasses extensive, unspoiled coastal marshes and is a well-known stopover for migratory birds.
A short ride on a car ferry is required to reach Harsens Island in the Saint Clair Flats State Wildlife Area. Check ferry service before your trip.
Maritime History on the St. Clair River
The HURON Lightship is permanently moored on the banks of the St. Clair River at scenic Pine Grove Park in Port Huron, Michigan. It was the last operating lightship on the Great Lakes and was decommissioned in 1970 after more than 50 years of service. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.
Fort Gratiot was built in 1814 during the War of 1812 to protect the confluence of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. The Thomas Edison Depot Museum highlights a later chapter in the area's history: it is located in the historic Fort Gratiot train depot, built by the Grand Trunk Railway in 1858. Thomas Edison worked at this depot as a newspaper reporter between 1859 and 1863. Re-created historic rooms and interactive exhibits engage visitors in exploring Edison's life and inventions.
Museums and Historic Buildings
The Historical Village at Goodells County Park includes Columbus Bible Church (1860), Mudge Log Cabin (1863), Murphy/Ryan Farmhouse (1872) and Lynn Township School (1885). The dates span the period from 1860 to 1885; the names identify different types of buildings: a church, a log cabin, a farmhouse and a school.
The Carnegie Museum is housed in a building constructed in 1902 as the Port Huron Public Library. On the grounds of the Carnegie Museum, Kammer Cabin depicts rural life in St. Clair County as a living history exhibit.
Plan Your Visit
The Carnegie Museum is fully wheelchair accessible. Check the latest accessibility information before your visit. In suitable weather, you can climb the tower of Fort Gratiot Light Station and step out onto the exterior gallery; operating conditions may also affect access to the tower.
Discover more destinations: Port Huron, Marysville, Avoca, Lake County, Presque Isle County, Allegan County, Bay, Otsego.
For the main travel overview: Michigan.
