Discover Cheboygan: Trails, River and History

Trails, riverfront and historic cultural sites give Cheboygan a diverse character. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources named the city a Pure Michigan Trail Town in 2020. Land and water trails can also be used year-round for recreational activities. When choosing a vacation rental, it can therefore help to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: Would you mainly like to explore trails, spend time by the water or learn more about the region’s history?

Trails with different route distances

The North Eastern State Trail is a 70-mile rail trail between Alpena and Cheboygan. On the section from Aloha State Park to Cheboygan, the trail crosses the Cheboygan River on a historic trestle bridge and then continues into the City of Cheboygan. This river crossing is a distinctive part of the section described.

The North Central State Trail is another trail; its water-bound limestone surface and the varied natural landscapes it passes through define its character. The section from Topinabee to Cheboygan is 12 miles long. The 70 miles of the North Eastern State Trail and the 12 miles of this section are different routes. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between a longer trail connection between Alpena and Cheboygan and the specifically measured section starting from Topinabee.

Riverfront and water activities

The parks also offer different features. Gordon Turner Park has a fishing pier and a swimming beach. Major City Park has about half a mile of shoreline along the Cheboygan River. If you’d like to include water activities in your trip, these are two different features to consider when planning your stay: fishing and swimming at one park, and riverfront at the other.

Together with land and water trails that can be used year-round for recreational activities, these features show that Cheboygan is more than just a cycling destination. You can tailor your stay to whether you prefer active trails, time by the water or a mix of different interests. These interests can also guide your search for a vacation rental in Cheboygan.

Theater and regional history

The Cheboygan Opera House was originally built in 1877. The Victorian theater is known for its excellent acoustics and is considered a center for entertainment and the performing arts in the Straits of Mackinaw region and beyond. If you’re interested in theater and performing arts, it offers a cultural counterpoint to days spent on the trails or by the river.

A variety of historic sites offer further glimpses into the past. Spies Heritage Hall is a museum with exhibits on the history of Cheboygan County. At the Sheriff’s House & Jail, historic living and exhibit scenes depict everyday life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The old Cheboygan lighthouse, the Cheboygan Crib, is displayed in a park at the end of Water Street, east of US Highway 23. Each of these stops has its own focus: regional history, historic scenes of everyday life, and a lighthouse as part of the local heritage. When planning your trip, you can decide whether cultural sites will be a focus of their own or complement your outdoor activities.

Discover more destinations

Discover Tuscarora Township and Mackinaw City.

For the main travel overview: Cheboygan County.