Nara Nature Park and Houghton-Chassell bike trail
The bike trail (paved with asphalt in Houghton, with hard-packed stamp sand otherwise) parallels U.S. 41 for some 10 miles between Chassell and Houghton, passing some interesting shops among the businesses along the way.Two wheelchair-accessible boardwalks go along wildlife-rich Pilgrim River to the Keweenaw Waterway.
The mile-long NARA BOARDWALK on the creek's south bank has five fishing platforms and benches. Fish are those found in the Keweenaw Waterway: walleye, pike, perch, bass, and more. The elevated path goes through a wetland of woody shrubs and ends by the waterway. Many kinds of shore birds and songbirds are in the area, including eagles sometimes. In 2007 mud flats extend out for many yards; in previous years the water came up near the boardwalk. The parking area is right by the river, across from the Copper Country Humane Society.
The woodchip PEEPSOCK TRAIL, ¾ mile long, begins across from the Pilgrim River Steakhouse and goes through a woods with seasonal wildflowers, ending at the point where the Keweenaw Waterway makes a 90° turn from the South Entry by Jacobsville to the east-west stretch between Houghton and Hancock. A bench lets walkers sit and look out across the waterway to the Coast Guard station on Dollar Bay. (—September, 2007)
Parking is off U.S. 41, on the water side, just west of the Pilgrim River about 3 miles east of Houghton. Wheelchair-accessible. 2 boardwalk trails along Pilgrim River.
Return to Houghton
POINTS OF INTEREST
Keweenaw Brewing Company. A wonderfully comfortable place to taste good fresh-brewed beers ... more
Portage Lake Lift Bridge. A local landmark iss the world's heaviest lift bridge, permitting giant freighters to cross the peninsula ... more
Windeye: Architecturals & Antiques. Fabulous stained glass windows, lamps, unusual furniture, much of it from the Copper Country's boom times when mining managers built big fancy homes ... more
Houghton Waterfront Path and Park. Along a 4 1/2 mile paved path are fishing platforms, kayak access, the new library with beautiful views, and Dee Stadium, home of a huge summer history display and a mini-museum about Houghton's pioneering hockey history. ... more
Nara Nature Park and Houghton-Chassell bike trail. A mile-long boardwalk with fishing benches is a highlight of this 10-mile-long path past shops and through wetlands ... more
Seaman Mineral Museum. One of the country's finest collections of U.P., Michigan, and world-wide minerals, artfully displayed and interpreted by professional geologists. ... more
USDA Forest Service Rhizotron. Through large underground windows see the root systems and insects of northern forest ... more
Michigan Technological University. One of the country's better technological universities provides a dramatic entryway to Hougton and lots of exceptional winter activities. Ice sculptures for the MTU Winter Carnival are worth a trip! ... more
MTU Archives/Copper Country Historical Collection. Lots of interesting old photos and loads of historical documents from a fascinating region ... more
Keweenaw Gem & Gift. Gemologist and geologist owners provide expert perspective on Copper Country rockhounding, agates, copper, greenstones, datolite, and more. ... more
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