Lake Gogebic State Park

(906) 842-3341

The most visible aspects of this 320-acre park are the 127-site campground, visible from M-64, and the long, sandy swimming beach on Lake Gogebic.

A wonderful overlooked feature is the 1 1/2-mile interpretive nature trail on the other side of the road. It goes up into an old-growth area with some very large maples and hemlocks. Trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and other spring wildflowers are plentiful from mid-May into June, and in fall color season the maples glow. The trail isn't as smooth as it was when it was laid out, when the park had a full-time crew of competent inmates from Camp Marenisco. Now the camp has become a prison, and work crews of trusties are no longer reliably available. These days maintenance occurs when staffing and budgets permit.

In the 1930s area landowners, including the family of fabulously wealthy Escanaba lumber baron Bill Bonifas, donated land for the park.

On M-64, 8 miles south of M-28 at Merriweather or 10 miles north of U.S. 2 near Marenisco. State park sticker required: $6 (in-state) and $8/day, $24 and $29/year. day, $20/$25 year. Wheelchair accessible: showers, toilet, boat launch ADA accessible.

Return to Bergland and Lake Gogebic

BERGLAND AND LAKE GOGEBIC
POINTS OF INTEREST

Bergland Cultural Center. A useful center for visitor information for the million-acre surrounding national forest is also a nice place for a picnic or walk ... more

Bergland-Matchwood Historical Society Museum. Old stuff from the area's farms, schools, and timber cutting past as well as a gift shop with local paintings ... more

Trap Hills hikes. Exceptionally fine day hikes in a remote part of a huge forest which features extraordinary panoramic knobs along high bluffs ... more

Backroads forest drive to Victoria and Rockland. Rugged back road through the Trap Hills to Victoria Dam, Old Victoria mining ghost town, and picturesque Rockland. ... more

Lake Gogebic County Park. Pleasant county park on Ice House Bay has a swimming beach, picnic area, fishing dock, boat launch, and campground. ... more

Lake Gogebic State Park. There's a beach, campground, and a choice hillside nature trail up into large old-growth maples and hemlocks, with outstanding spring wildflowers. ... more

Alligator Eye. Landmark hillside on Lake Gogebic's west shore has a short, steep trail to the top, with a long view east. Beautiful in fall; a snowmobilers' favorite. ... more

Lake Gogebic West Shore Road Parks. A scenic drive punctuated by two parks with swimming beaches and picnic areas, and two memorable hillside hikes. ... more

Lake Gogebic's East Shore Road. 19-mile scenic drive includes birding spots, an elk pen, and a picnic area with a fine view across Lake Gogebic to Alligator Eye. ... more

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