U.P. Michigan Region
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May 7 Ironwood – Women’s Mtn. Bike Day June 19 Iron River – Car & Tractor Show June 25 Caspian – Wine, Cheese & Chocolate July 8-9 Iron River – U.P. Championship Rodeo July 8-10 Crystal Falls – Bass Festival
U.P. Michigan Region
Craig Lake State Park Rewards Those Seeking Adventure, Solitude
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BARAGA – Discover a touch of wilderness and adventure at Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County. It’s the most remote state park in Michigan’s DNR system. Access to the park itself is a bit of adventure, as the road is rocky. It’s advised you go with vehicles with high ground clearance. The park is located one mile west of Michigamme. The park contains six lakes and numerous small ponds along with a variety of wildlife such as deer, black bear, beaver, loons
and a portion of the Upper Peninsula moose herd. The park offers walk-in campsites (first come, first served) and other camping options, including yurts and rustic cabins. Don’t forget your fishing pole and bring only artificial lures. The 374-acre Craig Lake, largest of the six lakes, is known for its muskellunge, bass, walleye and northern pike fishing. It has six islands and high granite bluffs along its northern shore. Teddy Lake offers good panfish fishing. There are several portages ideal for canoes on both lakes. Keewaydin Lake offers the only boat launch in the park and is the only lake that allows motorboats; motorized boats are not permitted on any other lakes to preserve the area’s pristine qualities. Contact the park for more information. Not surprising, this park offers some of the most rugged trails in Michigan. An eight-mile trail loops around Craig Lake and offers some great opportunities to view wildlife, fauna and the lakeshore. A 7.5-mile section of the North Country Trail runs through the park. The trail covers some rough terrain, but is well worth the effort. This national route from North Dakota to New York includes more than 1,500 miles in Michigan, including those in Baraga County.
May 2022 | UpNorthAction.com