Portage Bay Beach and Ninga Aki Pathway/Lake Superior State Forest
Lake Superior State Forest's beautiful, sandy Portage Bay Beach can hardly be beat for its setting of low sand dunes and adjacent forests of mature pines – and for its peace and quiet. See also "Campgrounds." The nifty Ninga Aki Pathway (that means "Mother Earth" in Ojibwa) begins at the far end of the campground loop. Interpretive signs show 15 important plants used in traditional Ojibwa life. Pick up a pamphlet about them. The pathway, over two miles, is composed of two loops. The Bog Lake Loop includes some boardwalk. A bench is at the lake. The Lake Michigan Loop also has some boardwalk through low areas. The boat launch here has become so shallow, only a canoe could use it.In June the spring wildflowers are so wonderful, on these walks and along the drive from the main road, that nature-lovers Lon and Lynn Emerick make an annual camping trip here a rite of spring. Lon describes it in The Superior Peninsula: Seasons in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, his book of appreciative nature essays about the U.P.
From M-183 17 miles out the peninsula, past Garden, look for Portage Bay Rd., go 6 miles east on dirt roads to the beach. (That slow drive is what keeps the crowds away.) .Open from snowmelt to snowfall. Dogs permitted on 6-foot leash.
[Get Directions]
Return to Garden Peninsula
POINTS OF INTEREST
Fayette State Park. 5-mile trail system of several loops in this big 711-acre park connects beach, campground, & townsite, winding through a beech-maple hardwood forest. Beautiful, sandy swimming beach, 2,000' long, is backed by low dunes, with an adjacent picnic area. The trail through the townsite has got to be one of the most interesting easy trails anywhere. ... more
Garden Points of Interest. Scattered across the Garden Peninsula are villages and shops worth a casual visit ... more
Threefold Vine Winery. First vineyards for making wine on commercial scale in U.P., now 70 grape varieties, with winery's reds best suited to Garden Peninsula. Wines run $9-$15 a bottle. Most popular: sweet Valentine Creek raspberry honey & semi-sweet Camp 9 red wine. Aattractive gift shop with local products. ... more
Fayette Historic Townsite. The museum-like "ghost town" is the remains of a company town around a charcoal pig-iron smelter serving Union arms manufacturers during the Civil War. The town curves around pretty Snail Shell Harbor on Lake Michigan ... more
Garden Orchards. A general apple orchard especially known for its unusual Honey Gold apple, sweet and so sensitive workers have to wear gloves to handle it. ... more
Portage Bay Beach and Ninga Aki Pathway/Lake Superior State Forest. Low sand dunes, mature pines, spring wildflowers, and a secluded, sandy beach make these two short loops wonderful walks. Signs tell about 15 important plants in traditional Ojibwa life. ... more
Marygrove Retreat Center and bookstore. Since its beginnings the Catholic Church has had a robust tradition of spiritual retreats – stepping away from the busyness of life. This one is open to anyone interested in taking time away from the bustle of modern life ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here
