Schoolcraft County: Water, Trails, and History

Schoolcraft County offers something for all kinds of vacation days: observing nature by the water, trails with a historic background, and distinctive structures. Each place and experience has its own focus—from a self-operated observation raft to a bridge with a distinctive design. You can shape your trip around whether you mainly want to spend time by the water, plan a longer route, or discover local history.

Nature and Water at Indian Lake

Visitors can see Kitch-iti-kipi, also known as “The Big Spring,” from a self-operated, accessible observation raft. This makes the raft an independent way to view the spring. Palms Book State Park is in Thompson Township in Schoolcraft County, about 12 miles northwest of downtown Manistique. This location gives you a specific point of reference when planning a visit to the park.

On the shore of Indian Lake, Indian Lake State Park covers 567 acres. The day-use area has a paved boat launch, and the park also has a 75-yard-long sandy beach and a buoy-marked swimming area. This puts two different water experiences at the heart of a visit: using the boat launch and spending time at the beach, with its designated swimming area. If water is important to your trip, you can make these places separate priorities in your plans. It is a good idea to check current conditions at the facilities before your visit.

Trails and Getting Around in Manistique

The Haywire Grade Trail follows a historic railroad route for 32 miles from Intake Park in Manistique to Shingleton. Its route connects two named endpoints and has a clear historic character. The Manistique Boardwalk is a different scale: it runs for about two miles along the shore of Lake Michigan. If you are choosing by distance, there is a clear difference between the longer railroad-route trail and the shorter waterfront path.

Access to Manistique Light and the Manistique Boardwalk is at Manistique Boat Marina, 300 South Cedar Street, Manistique, Michigan. Check local access conditions before traveling there. Manistique Light, also called East Breakwater Light, is a red, square, pyramid-shaped structure built in 1916 and standing 35 feet tall. The Boardwalk, by contrast, is a path along the lakeshore. The two destinations can therefore be distinguished by what they offer: a historic structure or a path by the water.

Discover Architecture and History

The Manistique River Bridge was built in 1923 by local contractor Harry Erickson. 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. This description makes the design itself the main subject of a visit: it is not just about the bridge’s age, but also about how its long-span structure was designed.

A water tower in Manistique also brings together architectural history and exhibitions. 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 tower provides space for rotating and local exhibits. Its history extends beyond its current use: 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.

Other sites offer different historical perspectives. 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. The Indian Lake Mission was rebuilt at its original site in the early 1980s. At Seul Choix Point Lighthouse, the focus is instead on its recognition as a historic structure: it was added to the state and national historic registers in 1988. The Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse is operated by the Gulliver Historical Society in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division.

When choosing a vacation rental, your preferred focus can be the deciding factor: Indian Lake offers a beach, swimming area, and boat launch; the trails differ clearly in length; and historic structures and sites offer several opportunities to learn about the region’s past. Guide your search by which of these experiences interest you most, rather than treating every place as part of one uniform itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Manistique, Otsego, Bay, Clinton County, Mason County, Barry County, Lapeer County, Isabella.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.