Exploring Rapid River, MI in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Peninsula Point Lighthouse

Rapid River, MI is a small town located at the mouth of the Whitefish River on Highway US-2, 16 miles east of Escanaba by Little Bay de Noc in Lake Michigan. The Hiawatha National Forest is just east of town where you will find hundreds of thousands of acres of public land for fishing, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, photography, ATVing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.

LODGING and BUSINESS

 

Big Bay Getaway Motel, Highway US 2, Garden Corners. Phone 906-644-2893. All rooms have view of Big Bay de Noc. Sandy beach and swimming area on Lake Michigan. Near Fayette. On the snowmobile and ATV trails. Good fishing and hunting. Open year round. Pets with a small fee.  

Kenbuck Resort, 14844 LL Road, Wetmore, MI 49895. Phone (906) 573-2237. Kenbuck is a great sportsman's resort with 5 housekeeping cabins. These secluded cabins are deep in the Hiawatha National Forest, 100 lakes within 10 miles of the cabins, outstanding fishing and hunting, real snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Close to the Pine Marten Run, 10 miles north of Manistique.

 

George Potvin Knife Maker and Blacksmith, located at Ten Mile Creek Forge, Pottery, Lighting, and Irish/Celtic Gift Shop in Bark River, Michigan, offers completely handmade hunting knives with sheaths. George creates several patterns of Damascus, also utilizing titanium and other high carbon steel for blades. Classes, custom work, hand-scrimshaw, repairs and sharpening available.  The Gift Shop offers a surprising array of creative and beautiful gifts, many created by 30 juried local artists and some from around the world. Choose from pottery, paintings, photography, stone lampshades, jewelry, glass items, local jams and maple syrup, plus much MORE. You will be pleasantly surprised visiting this very unique and beautiful Upper Peninsula Gallery and Shop! Ten Mile Creek Forge, Gallery, and Gift Shop, 1691 17th Road, Bark River, MI 49807. Phone: 906 466-2276

 

REAL ESTATE:

 State Wide Real Estate of Escanaba. Phone: 906-786-1308 or toll free: 800-900-0777. Experienced professional realtors since 1958 offering residential, acreage, vacant land, waterfront property on inland lakes, streams, and little By de Noc, income property, commercial, and recreational property in Delta County and the surrounding area. Only office in Escanaba offering Virtual tours. Need land? We offer exclusive corporate land representation of thousands of acres of land for sale. Sellers, our helpful professional staff will handle all the details and assist you in selling your property.

RECREATION and ATTRACTIONS:

The Village Artisans of Garden is a delightful Art Gallery filled with fine arts and crafts created by Upper Peninsula Artists. Enjoy the beautiful paintings, photography, pottery, weaving, jewelry, fabrics, metal creations, wood turning, baskets, glass blowing, stained glass, home made jams, interesting books, plus much more. The Garden Art Gallery is open daily from Mid-May through September. Located between Escanaba and Manistique, 8 miles south of US-2. Turn south at Garden Corners on Highway M-183 to the town of Garden, Michigan. Phone 906-644-202

Explore the Rapid River Michigan area by Little Bay de Noc on Lake Michigan

• Fishing year round for trophy Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Perch, Salmon, or Trout in Little or Big Bay de Noc. Boat ramp in Rapid River and Gladstone.
• Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking on the Scenic Whitefish River. Enjoy a spring (April or May) paddle down the river when the water is at a higher level. View Eagles, Blue Heron, and a variety of waterfowl. Put in off Forest Road 2236 on the East or West Branch of the Whitefish River. A paddle of about 4-6 hours.
• Hiking or horseback riding (bring your own horse) on the Bay de Noc Grand Island Trail. Turn north on CR-509, 2.5 miles east of Rapid River. Trail parallels the east side of the Whitefish River and follows the path of an ancient Indian portage route. No motorized vehicles.
• Hunting the hundreds of acres of public land in the Hiawath National Forest. Good bird hunting area.
• Mountain Bike on the 13 mile Rapid River Trail, 6 miles north of town on US-41.
• Visit Rapid River Falls, a small waterfall 7 miles north of Rapid River on the west side of US-41.
• Golfing: Several championship courses in the Escanaba area and a 9 hole course in Nahma by Big Bay de Noc.

Winter Activities in the Gladstone and Rapid River area in Delta County MI:

• Cross Country Skiing on the Rapid River Trails, 5 loops of groomed Nordic ski trails and 2 loops of skating trails from beginner to advanced. 6 miles north of Rapid River on the west side of US-41, or ski the trails at Fayette State Park, and the Days River Pathway.
• Gladstone Sports Park with downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and a tube run.
• Snowmobile on the over 2,500 miles of interconnecting trails throughout the Upper Peninsula. From Rapid River ride east past Nahma Junction and take the trail north through the Hiawatha National Forest towards Munising and the deep snow of Alger County. Circle back or you can continue to Grand Marais for a longer ride. Trails west follow the Felch Rail Trail with trails leading north to Gwinn or west to Randville. Longer rides take you to Marquette or on to Big Bay for fun in the Huron Mountains. Have some fun in the snow and return to your comfortable accommodations near Rapid River for a great vacation.

Area Attractions in the Escanaba, Gladstone, and Rapid River Area

Lighthouse Tour:

• Peninsula Point Lighthouse Tower and Park, Built in 1865 at the tip of the Stonington Peninsula. Take CR-513 south from US-2, 19 miles to the parking lot. Spectacular view of Lake Michigan with the Minneapolis Shoal Light in the distance. Tower open for climbing and a nice picnic area.
• Sand Point Lighthouse and Museum in Ludington Park, Escanaba, MI. Open June through September. Mary Terry, one of the first women Lighthouse Keepers on the Great Lakes, kept this light from 1868 to 1886.
• Manistique Lighthouse (1915) on the end of the breakwater at the Manistique Harbor. Can be viewed from the Boardwalk.
• Seul Choix Lighthouse and Museum in Gulliver, known locally as the Haunted Lighthouse. Open Take CR-432 south to the Lighthouse. Open Memorial Day Weekend through Mid-October.

Fayette State Park and Historic Village, Garden Peninsula. Take CR-183 south from US-2. Once the site of Upper Peninsula's most productive iron-smelting operations. 20 structures remain. Visitor Center, exhibits, and walking tours of the park.

Big Springs, Kitch-iti-Kipi, Michigan's largest spring in Palms Book State Park on Indian Lake. Ride the self-propelled raft to view the spring. At Thompson, take M-149 north for 12 miles to the park.

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Lodging accommodations motels, cabins, cottages, lodges, vacation homes, Art Galleries, and real estate in Delta County, MI near Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula of Mighigan. Travel and vacation information. Fishing, golfing, hunting, hiking, canoeing, snowmobiling, skiing, shopping, and sightseeing near Escanaba, MI, Gladstone, MI, and Rapid River, MI.