Big Bay Harbor and beach

Big Bay's harbor and marina, directly north of town, is the only harbor of refuge on Lake Superior between Marquette and Skanee on Keweenaw Bay. The beautiful swimming beach, seldom used, is at least a quarter mile east of the marina. Underwater formations of red and white striped Jacobsville sandstone at the base of the nearby cliffs are beautiful when seen from a kayak. The underwater dock from the lumbering era is great fun for scuba divers to explore.

The beach can be reached by taking the marina road east to a turnaround. A more interesting approach is to drive along the Lake Independence road toward the lighthouse, but take the "Burns Landing" turnoff instead. A boardwalk leads over a wetland area to a grassy area by an old log house that goes back to the earliest days of Big Bay's recorded history. Nearby are restrooms and picnic tables

Follow sign to marina from CR 550 through town. No fee.
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BIG BAY
POINTS OF INTEREST

Alder Falls. Pretty little waterfall a quater-mile down a hillside with a thick pine forest ... more

Lake Independence and Perkins County Park. There's good year-round fishing at this big lake known for its northern pike, walleye, and perch. The shallow lake makes for warmer, earlier swimming at the attractive park beach ... more

Big Bay Outfitters/Anatomy of a Canoe. Part crafts shop, part outfitters and kayak and canoe dealer, part outdoors store. In season a daily waterfall and mountaintop tour of hard-to-find beauty spots ... more

North Shore Treasures. A charming, rambling shop sells lodge look accessories, Michigan jams and sauces, and select local handcrafts. ... more

Cram's General Store. Hardware, takeout sandwiches, complete groceries and meats, videos, snowmobile and car parts can be found at this community info center ... more

Big Bay Harbor and beach. A beautiful and little-used beach near unusual sandstone formations that are fun for kayakers and scuba divers to explore ... more

Big Bay Point lighthouse tour. Now a B&B, this 1896 brick lighthouse has tours highlighted by a climb up the 65' light tower viewing Lake Independence, the Huron Mountains, and passing ships ... more

Thomas Rock Trail/Gobbler's Knob Overlook. A grand view toward the Keweenaw Peninsula on this 20-minute trail ... more

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