Craig Lake State Park is the most remote state park in the system. The park is home to walk-in campsites, yurts, rustic cabins, trails, six lakes and a variety of wildlife such as deer, black bear, beaver, loons and moose. Vehicles with high-ground clearance are recommended.

The park is located one mile west of Michigamme. Follow signs on Craig Lake Road for eight miles.

The coordinates are 46N 32’ 23.74”, 88W 8’ 7.52”

Craig Lake State Park is the most remote state park in the system spanning more than 8,400 acres in Baraga County. Rugged and wild, access into the park can be somewhat of an adventure. Vehicles with high-ground clearance are recommended due to the rocky conditions of the road.

There are six lakes in the park, three of them named for the children of Frederick Miller of the famed Miller Brewing Co, numerous small ponds and a variety of wildlife such as deer, black bear, beaver, loons and moose. Craig Lake is 374 acres and features six islands and high granite bluffs along its northern shoreline. In keeping with the Miller beer theme, a nearby lake located northwest of the park, is named High Life Lake.

The park offers walk-in campsites (first come, first served) and other camping options, including yurts and rustic cabins. The park has a main trail covering 8 miles, while the National North Country Scenic Trail runs for more than 7 miles.


Craig Lake State Park

Van Riper State Park is located 35 miles west of Marquette on US-41. This 1,044-acre park is home to 1.5 miles of waterfront on both Lake Michigamme and the Peshekee River. Visitors enjoy the park's fine sandy beach, a picnic area, campgrounds and opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, hiking and more. The water temperature is generally moderate - a sometimes pleasant change from Lake Superior temperatures.

Van Riper's water park, Water Warrior Island, is located on Lake Michigamme featuring 20-foot water slides, climbing walls, trampolines, floating walkways and a ninja-warrior-like obstacle course. Ticket and reservation information, rules, height requirements and hours of operation can be found at waterwarriorisland.com.

Blueberry Ridge Pathway is managed by Van Riper State Park and located just 35 miles away in Marquette. The trail is one of the Upper Peninsula’s most popular cross-country skiing and hiking trails. Grooming updates are posted to the Blueberry Ridge Ski Pathway Facebook group and on Twitter @MiStateParks.

State Parks Tagged With: Champion