Chippewa County - 18 Attractions You Must Visit

Caribou Lake is a pristine lake located in Chippewa County, Michigan. It is surrounded by lush forests and beautiful streams. The lake serves as the perfect spot for hikers to enjoy the tranquility and serenity of nature. The banks of the lake provide places for campers to set up their tents, as well as for anglers looking for an ideal spot to cast their lines. The calm waters are crystal-clear blue and provide plenty of opportunities to explore its depths by canoe or kayak.

Built in the 1860s, DeTour Reef Lighthouse has been guiding ships and visitors along the Straits of Mackinac ever since. Located just off the northern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this square tower stands 48 feet tall and is surrounded by stunning views of Lake Huron. Although the lighthouse is no longer used as a navigational aid, it continues to draw tourists who come to admire its warmly lit interior and panoramic lake vistas.

The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial is a solemn reminder of the courage and strength of those on board the famous vessel. Located in Whitefish Bay, the memorial was dedicated in 1995 as a way to honor the 29 crewmembers of the vessel that tragically sank in 1975. It also serves as an inspirational landmark for visitors to learn about and contemplate on the heroic actions taken prior to its sinking.

Frenchman Lake is a water paradise that has something to offer everyone. A fisherman's dream, the lake boasts some of the best walleye fishing in the area while its crystal-blue waters provide sought-after activities like boating and water skiing. For those looking for more low key recreational activities, Frenchman Lake is home to a hike along its serene shoreline which is adorned with spectacular autumn foliage making it an excellent spot for biking and photography too.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is a great place for the whole family to explore the rich history of the area. The museum offers visitors a chance to dive into stories about 19th and 20th century shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, with exhibits and artifacts from notable wrecks throughout the series of lakes. There are also interactive elements such as life-size recreations that put guests at the center of exciting accounts from disaster on Lake Superior - both educational and entertaining.

Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge is a unique gem of nature in Chippewa County, Michigan. Established in 1986 and home to various species of wildlife such as Canada geese and ruddy ducks, this refuge also provides recreational opportunities like fishing, canoeing, hiking, and swimming. It is the only place in Chippewa County where visitors can explore the diverse ecosystem surrounding Lake Huron’s entire inner bay--including Mud Lake, Sand Point Marsh, State Islands.

The Hiawatha National Forest with nearly 900,000 acres, it is one of the largest national forests with a variety of habitats including hardwood uplands and lowlands, swamps, wetlands, and coniferous forests. Visitors to this breathtaking region can take part in some of the best recreational opportunities the Great Lakes state has to offer - hiking, fishing, swimming, hunting, boating, horseback riding and camping are just some of the activities available for exploring this great forest.

Museum Ship Valley Camp is a one-of-a-kind experience located in the Chippewa County area of Michigan. This unique museum ship takes visitors on an intriguing journey through time, with hundreds of historical displays telling the story of the steam freighter Valley Camp's more than 70 year history. From amusing stories of life aboard the ship to old images taken from Detroit’s golden age, there is something within this museum for every eager explorer.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse built in 1870, it was originally lit with an iron-framed, fourth-order Fresnel lens made of 1,008 hand-cut prisms and silvered glass panels that displayed a white light every 12 seconds. Since then the lighthouse has withstood the surges of Lake Superior year after year while faithfully protecting passing ships. It was fully automated in 1933 and then featured various colors of lenses over the years before the current white lens was installed in 2012.

The site of the Sault Ste. Marie which was the first permanent settlement in the state and was founded by French Canadian Missionaries in 1668. Other historical sites include Fort Brady which was built during the War of 1812 to protect Sault Ste. Marie from possible British attack and later served as a base for fighting against indigenous tribes; the Nledo Zip Line, used by Native Americans to send messages between local congregations.

The Sault Ste. Marie International Railroad Bridge is an impressive achievement of engineering and construction. Constructed in 1957, the bridge spans a staggering 4,075 feet across the St. Marys River between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It's not only used for train traffic but also snowmobiles each winter - making for a thrilling ride! Spanning two different countries and an expansive body of water was no small feat.

Soo Locks is a historic marvel of engineering. This complex network of locks and canals allows freighters and other vessels of different sizes to travel between Lake Huron and Lake Superior - waterways that differ by 21 feet in elevation. A total of four locks stretches for one mile along the Saint Marys River, with each equipped with gates that open to allow passage from one lake to another. Operated by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers since 1881.

Soo Locks Park is a sight to behold. Located on the St. Mary's River, the park doesn't just feature one of the most impressive engineering feats in history - the Soo Locks themselves - but also offers a wide array of recreational activities for the whole family to enjoy. Enjoy a picnic under towering hardwoods and evergreens, take a leisurely stroll along paved trails, or just enjoy watching airplanes soar overhead from the local airfield.

Tahquamenon Falls Lower Falls is a sight to behold. Located in the majestic Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Lower Falls is a beautiful and powerful waterfall that cascades from the Tahquamenon River. Spanning more than 200 feet across with a drop of nearly 50 feet, it is easily one of the state's most impressive natural attractions. Visitors can rent boats to take them right up to this awe-inspiring wonder or simply stand back and admire its majesty from land.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park lays along the Eastern Upper Peninsula shoreline and includes over 50,000 acres of trails, forests and campgrounds that offer guests a unique and extraordinary opportunity to explore the scenic beauty of nature's finest features. The highlight of this park is the majestic Tahquamenon Falls - which are 300-foot cascades that drop off to a five mile stretch of river ending in the vast expanse of Lake Superior.

Vermilion Point Nature Preserve, protected area spans 499 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, foxes and bald eagles. Covering a full mile of shoreline along Lakes Huron and George, the area can be explored on a series of boardwalks that wind through the well-maintained trails. The preserve offers spectacular views and scenery no matter where you turn; its vibrant wetlands host a wide selection of birds and plants that change with each season.

The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory provides one of the most tranquil bird watching spaces in the world. Located on Lake Superior’s rocky shoreline, this expansive observatory serves as a stopover for birds that migrate through its lands each year. From May to July, the Observatory offers weekend bird-banding demonstrations where visitors can get up close and personal with our feathered friends. The Observatory also offers fun educational days for youth.

Whitefish Point Lighthouse is a historic Michigan landmark located on the remote and rocky shores of Lake Superior, this lighthouse has played a crucial role in maritime navigation since its construction in 1849. The stunning structure stands 45 feet tall and its light has been seen by many vessels navigating the nearby waters over the years. It is also home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum which holds many artifacts related to shipwrecks.