Big Pine Picnic Area
Area residents often cite this picnic area as their favorite place in the entire area. it's part of the Hiawatha National Forest. Loggers left some good-size pines here. Now, a hundred years later, they have grown and are very large indeed. There's a popular Lake Superior beach, sandy enough for lounging, and with interesting colored stones (including some agates) for good rock-picking. Bring binoculars for a better view of ships entering the St. Mary's River. Picnic tables, grills, and benches make this a fine place to linger and watch sunsets in an especially scenic spot.
On Lake Shore/Curley Lewis Highway just west of Dollar Settlement and Ranger Rd. (which joins M-28 near Raco, 6 miles south). About a mile east of Bay View Campground, 9 miles northwest of Raco. Free. Wheelchair-accessible; picnic area.
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POINTS OF INTEREST
Monocle Lake. A well-stocked 172-acre lake with a beach, floating fishing dock, and 2-mile hiking trail. ... more
Point Iroquois Light Station & Museum. Memorable 1870 lighthouse museum with furnished keeper's quarters, displays on lighthouse technology, navigational aids. Up from a beautiful beach. Climb the lighthouse tower for a great view of lake, shipping. ... more
Big Pine Picnic Area. A local favorite picnic site with huge pines, a fine Lake Superior beach with colorful stones ... more
Bay View Beach and Campground. You'll often have the sandy Lake Superior beach here to yourself ... more
Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery. See the hundreds of thousands of lake trout growing to 5" to 8" when they are released in Lake Michigan and Huron ... more
Indian Fishing Historical Marker & roadside park. On a site with a sweeping Lake Superior beach, a marker tells the story of a Bay Mills fishing case ruling on the the U.S. Supreme Court decided that Indians never signed away their right to fish for a living. ... more
North Country Trail Segment. Enjoy a short walk on the multi-state hiking trail, traversing a swinging bridge and reaching Tahquamenon Bay ... more
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