Alpena County: Discover Nature, Water and History

Alpena County offers a journey among Lake Huron, forests, waterways and unusual cultural attractions. Along the shores of Lake Huron, Rockport State Recreation Area stretches across Alpena and Presque Isle Counties. There are also hiking trails, maritime exhibits, fossil experiences and places where you can learn about regional history first-hand.

Forests, Parks and Lake Huron

Those who place landscapes and trails at the center of their trip will find several different points of interest in Alpena County. Sunken Lake Park covers 160 acres and features untouched woodland and hiking trails. Long Lake Park has a day-use area as well as beaches with parking and picnic areas. In Alpena, Island Park is surrounded by a 500-acre wildlife refuge, while Manning Hill Park offers panoramic views. Each of these places represents a different way to spend your time: You can explore forests and trails, plan a day in the park or let your gaze wander across the landscape.

Water Experiences and Maritime History

The Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron also shape the possible travel experiences. The Alpena County Fairgrounds have two free boat launches on the Thunder Bay River. Duck Park also offers a public launch for kayaks and canoes. For a maritime perspective, glass-bottom boat shipwreck tours visit the shipwrecks of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center brings this subject to life with more than 10,000 square feet of exhibition space. Visitors can step onto the deck of a full-size schooner or view a shipwreck through diving tubes. The visitor center is located in historic downtown Alpena on the Thunder Bay River. This means you can enjoy a varied stay even when outdoor activities are not the only items on the itinerary.

Trails for Different Day Plans

For longer tours, the NEST – Northeast Michigan State Trail is a notable option: The Michigan DNR multi-use rail-trail is 70 miles long and runs from Alpena to Cheboygan. The Alpena Bi-Path Trail is approximately 18.5 miles long. Via connecting trails and roads, it provides access to several scenic city parks and beaches on the Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron. The different lengths help you plan your time: You can schedule an extended route or choose a stay in which individual trails and parks shape the rhythm of each day.

Fossils, Traditions and Regional Culture

The Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan combines natural history and culture. At its outdoor fossil park, visitors can dig for Devonian fossils and keep all the fossils they find. The museum's Historic Village comprises five original buildings, each more than 100 years old. Those interested in living traditions will find another special point of reference in the Alpena County Fair: It has been a tradition since 1875 and celebrates agriculture, community and cultural heritage.

More recent recreational offerings are also part of the region's character. Northern Lights Arena houses two NHL-size ice rinks under one roof. The Alpena Farmers & Artisan Market is located in Mich-e-ke-wis Park in Alpena. In downtown Alpena, Water Street Commons on the Thunder Bay River includes a beverage pavilion and a food truck area. This allows you to vary your travel plans between landscapes, history, local offerings and sporting experiences.

Choose the Right Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home in Alpena County, your desired itinerary should be the starting point. For days in nature, Sunken Lake Park, Long Lake Park, Island Park and the trails described above are important considerations. If you prefer maritime history and water experiences, include the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, the glass-bottom boat shipwreck tours and the launch sites in your detailed travel planning. Those interested in culture can consider the fossil park, the Historic Village, the county fair and the market. Focusing your search in this way helps you consciously choose your accommodation's location according to your own vacation pace and preferred experiences.

To compare additional destinations in the same regional selection, you can also view Dickinson County, Osceola County, Alger County, Livingston, Leelanau County, Ogemaw County and Isabella.

For the overview of the wider destination: Michigan.