MOTORIZED TRAILS

 

Hiking is a great physical activity but sometimes, there is a lot of ground you would like to cover!  Whether it is by motorcycle or car along the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway in summer to enjoy the cooler temps, gentle curves, and lush greenery with stops at Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Oswald's Bear Ranch or absorbing the colors as the season changes, the Paradise area offers trails for four wheelers, ORV's, and snowmobiles as well.

RULES OF THE ROAD Just as the automobile has to be registered and plated, the state of Michigan also has requirements for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.  There are restrictions for these vehicles, and we encourage you to complete your research before beginning your route.

SCENIC DRIVES

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan offers many scenic routes year-round for automobiles.  The Paradise area is surrounded by state 

TAHQUAMENON SCENIC BYWAY is a 63-mile route through the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, centrally located in a mainly wild, untamed region.  The route has some 15 designated areas of attractions.  It serves as a loop at the intersection of M-123 and M-28 near Hulbert, Michigan, north through Emerson, Paradise, then west through Tahquamenon Falls State Park, then Newberry, Michigan reconnecting with M-28 south of Newberry.  www.exploreM123.com

WHITEFISH National Scenic Byway captures the magic of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay.  This national route is identified as the route through the National Hiawatha Forrest along the southern shore of Whitefish Bay which begins south of the Tahquamenon River mouth along M-123 to Point Iroquois just west of Brimley.  To get the full Whitefish Bay experience, travel M-123 North through Paradise Michigan and then proceed north at the blinking light in town along North Whitefish Point Road to the tip of Whitefish Point.  You'll be pleased to find a lighthouse at Point Iroquois and a lighthouse at Whitefish Point as well as the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, and Seney National Wildlife, Whitefish Point Division.

CURLEY LEWIS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY is a state memorial to an early developer of Paradise, Michigan.  Identified as a popular motorcycle path, paved, with gentle curves offering connections to Point Iroquois Lighthouse, historic Mission Point, Giant Pines, Naomikong Overlook, Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery, Bark Dock, and Giant Pines Picnic Area.

SHORE-TO-SHORE BIRDING TRAIL is a newly established driving trail that connects areas of birding interest.  Whitefish Point is the location of one of North America's largest bird migration routes.  

4-WHEEL FUN

Michigan DNR licenses and permits are valid April 1 through March 31 of the following year.  Use their map to identify ORV routes and trails & motorcycle trails with seasonal restrictions and special designations.  Not all snowmobile trails are open to ORV use.  Stay on signed ORV trails.  An ideal resource for your ORV fun though is Michigan's Where to Ride Link.

County Roads and two-tracks make perfect 4-wheeling fun!  Not all two-tracks are public property so stay alert and use caution in dealing with private property.  Paradise Recreational Sports offers ATV, Moped, and Snow Mobile rentals. They will be able to provide you with specific riding information and supplies as well.

SNOWMOBILES

The Paradise Area Night Riders grooms 120 + miles of trails in the Paradise area.  These trails are located on public land and private land.  Respecting private property owners and for your own safety, please stay on the groomed trail.  Under the snow there are all types of tree limbs and stumps that can create chaos for you and or your equipment.  

Route SM-8 tends to follow the southern shore of Lake Superior.

Route SM-452 weaves its way around Whitefish Point

Route SM-451 works its way to Tahquamenon Falls.

Route SM-474 travels south of Paradise near the East West Road and into Hulbert.

QUIET TRAILS

There are times you need to stretch your legs and absorb the sounds of the leaves rustling and the trickle of a brook.  Foot paths, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, or paddling fulfills a much needed to desire to slow life down a bit.  You'll find more information about area quite trails at this link:  QUIET TRAILS

PLACES TO STAY!  

This information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:   Curley's Paradise Motel, Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Shores Cabins, and Vagabond Motel.  Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on activities in the area.

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Quiet Trails

 

Pathways, where another has traveled before, while many have not.  Leaving the vistas with the same appearance very near the same as the first. This pathway may be walked, hiked, snowshoed, cross-country-skied, or paddled as designated "Quiet Trails". Some "trails" are designated motorized or ridden by car, 4 - wheeler, or snowmobile.  Abide by the designations and take out of the trail only that which you brought in.

In this post, you'll find a listing of designated foot paths and water trails.  Motorized trails are listed in a separate post.  Enjoy the trail.

FOOT PATHS 

NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL is a national trail that traverses eight states and 4,600 trail miles maintained by local chapters.  A portion, 16 miles, is routed through the Tahquamenon Falls State Park the balance in the eastern upper peninsula is maintained by the Shore-to-Shore North Country Trail Chapter with deep appreciation within the community.

NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL M-123 to NAOMIKONG OVERLOOK, a section of the North Country Trail located in the Hiawatha National Forest, south of the Tahquamenon River mouth that follows the shoreline of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay.  As a NCT designated trail identified with the familiar blue blaze, this portion of the trail as well as the balance of the eastern UP is maintained by the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter.  You'll often find organized hikes with the group as well as opportunities to join the group in maintaining or blazing new trails.  

NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL TAHQUA ROAD is one of my favorites and often hiked by the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter members on January 1.  A trail head can be located along Tahqua Trail Road south of Paradise, just north of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park's roadside park north of the Tahquamenon River mouth.  This trail follows the shoreline of the Tahquamenon River and offers breathtaking vistas of the wilderness river.

MICHIGAN IRON BELLE TRAIL uses existing trails and traverses some 2,000 across the state from the Western tip of the Upper Peninsula to the Detroit.  Promoted as two routes, this one great trail is displayed by the Michigan DNR on their website.  A portion of this great trail moves through the Paradise region.

PARADISE PATHWAY: North Loop (3.2 Miles) The Paradise Pathway trail head is located just 1/4 mile west of the blinking light in Paradise on route M-123, the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway.  Paradise Pathway consists of three paths.  You'll find a local group of volunteers, Tahquamenon Country Pathways Association that maintains the Paradise Pathways.   Clearing brush and fallen debris and grooming them for snowshoe and cross-country skier alike. Paradise Pathways are within the Tahquamenon Falls State Park region.

PARADISE PATHWAY: North Ridge Loop (3.4 Miles) North indicates its location North of M-123.  The trail head parking lot is located south of M-123.  You'll find a map of these three loops at this link:  paradise_trail.pdf (state.mi.us)

PARADISE PATHWAY: South Loop (1.6 Miles) The shortest and yet most popular path, located south of the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway.  

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Giant PinesLoop (3.8 Miles) Known for two specific giant white pine trees, hemlocks, bubbling streams, and wildlife, this is a popular cross-country ski trail.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Clark LakeLoop  (5.2 Miles) Through pine forests with views of Clark loop begins at the parking lot on Clark Lake Road.  There are several areas of silver and green lichens, ferns, blueberries, jack pine uplands and moss-carpeted lowlands.  It is possible to connect with the Wilderness Loop from this trail.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - WildernessLoop (7.0 Miles) Assessable to the North Country Trail, Clark Lake Loop or the Giant Pines Loop, this trail crosses through pine ridges, peat lands, and hold growth hemlock forests.    This trail is designated as one of the more difficult, primitive trails.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Nature Trail (0.5 Miles) a breath of fresh air in a short distance.  This trail is utilized in February for the park's lantern lit trails but in the summer months you'll find it blanked with ferns.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - River Trail (4.0 Miles) This trail is one of the most popular in scenic trails in the park.  It traverses through American beech, sugar maple, eastern hemlock and yellow birch trees as you hike between da Falls (the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls).  Due to roots and unlevel pathways, this trail can be challenging.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Emerson Foot Trail (1.0 Miles) At the time of this writing, this trail is in development phase, but it is ideal for birdwatching as the trail meanders along the banks of Tahquamenon Bay.

WATER TRAILS

LAKE SUPERIOR East Water Trail is a paddling trail from Grand Marais to Whitefish Point, to Lake Superior's South Shore.  Historically valued in the early times by native Americans, voyageurs, and early European explorers.

TAHQUAMENON RIVER is very nearly a wilderness river.  The Woods, Tahquamenon River Canoe and Kayak Rentals has been offering guided tours and paddling recommendations for years.  They offer short- and long-term excursions.  Remember kayaking on Lake Superior can be dangerous, even the most experienced in the area respects the quick swells that can develop seemingly out of nowhere.

MOTORIZED TRAILS 

Sometimes a person doesn't want to cover more ground in a short amount of time.  The Paradise area offers scenic driving routes, 4-wheeler options, and seasonal popular snowmobile routes.  Learn more about Motorized Trail Options at this link:  Motorized Trails 

PLACES TO STAY!

This information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:   Curley's Paradise Motel, Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Shores Cabins, and Vagabond Motel.  Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on activities in the area.

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Lighthouses

Sunday, August 7 is National Lighthouse Day!  The state of Michigan hosts more lighthouses than any other state, due in large part to the role of Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron.  According to Michigan Lighthouse Guide there are 129 beacons of light on the registers of such nautical data.  

In the Paradise area there are three conveniently located with incredible life-saving stories, scenes, and artifacts.  Paradise is located just north of the Tahquamenon River mouth on the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway (M-123) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  We encourage you to take the entire family and spend some time at each location.  

Whitefish Point Light Station is located 10 miles north of Paradise on North Whitefish Point Road which connects to the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway at the blinking light in Paradise.  It is a privately owned and managed site by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and the fully operating tower is a component of the Shipwreck Museum.  The present Whitefish Point Light tower was built under the authorization of U. S. President Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and has been offering safe pages to vessels entering Lake Superior from Whitefish Bay since 1849.  

The Shipwreck Museum offers information regarding shipwrecks, ship rescues, and shipwreck discoveries throughout the great lakes.  The complex is a series of restored buildings and carefully catalogued artifacts of the U. S. Life Savings services offered over the past 175+ years.   Freighters headed upbound from and downbound to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan pass by the facility located on Whitefish Point with great frequency.  The museum is open May 1 through October 31, daily, 10 AM to 6 PM.  www.shipwreckmuseum.com

Crisp Point Light is located along the southern shoreline of Lake Superior between Whitefish Point and Grand Marais.  There is no direct, easy, or as the "crow flies" (14.5 miles) route to Crisp Point, built in 1875. But you will find County Road 500 intersecting with Tahquamenon Scenic Byway (M-123) just west of the entrance to Tahquamenon Falls State Park.  Their website includes specific directions and tips to locate the tower.   Crisp Point Light property is owned by Luce County and is managed by the Crisp Point Light Historical Society.  Boatman and former lighthouse keeper, Christopher Crisp is the namesake of this incredible facility that has been painstakingly restored through the efforts of many volunteers. 

Many lighthouses were established in remote proximities as they offered safe harbor to passing ships and Crisp Point provides that feeling when you approach the shoreline and take in the incredible, views along of Lake Superior.  The information center and restrooms are open usually from the end of May to mid-October, open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.  Crisp Point Light Historical Society offers a lighthouse keeper volunteer program at their facility offering the couple or family an opportunity to manage the information facility and gift shop, answering questions, sharing the Christopher Crisp life-saving story.  Learn more information about this light and the opportunities therein at www.crisppointlight.org.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse is located along the Saint Mary's River mouth and the entrance into Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay.  The Tahquamenon Scenic Byway (M-123) intersects with the Curlie - Lewis Memorial Highway which meanders along the southern shoreline of Whitefish Bay.  Point Iroquois Lighthouse is on this route, the property is owned by the U.S. National Forest Division and is currently managed by the Bay Mills Indian Community.  Point Iroquois was named referencing a 1662 between the Iroquois and Chippewa.  The Point Iroquois Light was first lit in 1857 in a 65-foot tower and was in service for 107 years.  Today the museum offers a collection of artifacts that tell the stories of the Anishinaabe, French Explorers, and lifesaving efforts of the lighthouse.  

On sight there is a museum that offers insight into the personal lives of the lighthouse keepers and their families and a gift shop.  Conventionally the museum is open in the summer months but may under the management of the Bay Mills Indian Community remain open in the winter months as well.  Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.  There is a handicap accessible walkway from the parking lot to the shoreline of the St. Mary's River.  The walkway offers benches, elevated walkways, and fabulous views of freighters headed up or downbound pass Point Iroquois.

  Hiawatha National Forest - Point Iroquois Lighthouse (usda.gov)

Places to Stay!  

This information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:   Curley's Paradise Motel,  Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Shores Cabins, and  Vagabond Motel.  Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on activities in the area.

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Museums

 

Facilities or groups dedicated to preserving a collection of objects deemed of lasting interest and value and dedicated to sharing the true story of an event, culture, of scientific or historical importance.  Wikipedia

In the Paradise area we are fortunate to have a number of museums with individuals passionate about their charge.   We encourage you to take some time to learn the complete story offered by these groups:  Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, Crisp Point Light Historical Society, the Tahquamenon Logging Museum Advocates, Bay Mills Indian Community, and the Bay Mills-Brimley Historical Research Society.

Shipwreck Museum, identified as one of the top ten Mari-time museums in the world, is located at Whitefish Point, 10 miles north of Paradise.  Managed by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and includes in its operations an active process in locating and identifying resting places of ships and lives lost along the Shipwreck Coast.   Located north of Paradise on North Whitefish Point Road, open May 1 through October 31, seven days a week, 10 AM to 6 PM.

Crisp Point Lighthouse is located along the southern shores of Lake Superior, 38 miles northwest of Paradise.   After the long winding drive to the light, the visitor's building offers souvenirs and a view of Lake Superior in this remote, phenomenal location of Crisp Point.  The story here is a boatman named Christopher Crisp and the U.S. Lifesaving Services.  Many lighthouse facilities were in remote regions of the world.  Crisp Point is no different, but the experience of traveling to Crisp Point is physical immersion into that reality.  Open end of May to October, the visitor's center is open 10 AM to 6 PM

Tahquamenon Logging Museum offers the visitor insight into the logging industry and history of a local industry that rebuilt the city of Chicago after its great fire.  Look at the tools and culture back in the day and learn how the industry has transformed to renew trees in the forests of the upper peninsula.  Located along the Tahquamenon River, 37 miles southwest of Paradise, join in one of their Lumberjack breakfasts, or summer music concerts and you'll capture the experience of their story.  The museum is open seven days a week, 10 AM to 5 PM beginning Memorial Day weekend through the summer months.

 

Point Iroquois Lighthouse is dedicated to a major battle in 1662 fought by Iroquois and Chippewa.  Beginning in June 2022, the Bay Mills Indian Community assumed management of the lighthouse in cooperation with the Hiawatha National Forest.  The Bay Mills Indian Community can tell its story and share the Anishinaabe history, cultural information, and artifacts at the lighthouse.  Located along the Curley Lewis Scenic Byway, 36 miles southeast of Paradise, offers a boardwalk, handicap accessible to the shoreline of the St. Mary's River offering a breathtaking view of freighters traveling up and downbound.

Wheels of History shares the story of early life in the Brimley area and eastern upper peninsula of Michigan.  It includes stories of the mills, trains, early phones, logging, fishing, one-room schools, Great Lakes ships, CCC Camp Raco, cemetery and veteran listings and local family history.  Located in Brimley, 44 miles southeast of Paradise.   The Museum is open seasonally mid-May to mid-Oct. from Noon to 5 PM Fri-Mon.  

Places to Stay! 

This information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:   Curley's Paradise Motel,  Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Shores Cabins, and  Vagabond Motel.  Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on activities in the area.

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Paradise Area Events for 2022

Tahquamenon Lower Falls

It is always a good time to visit Paradise.  For your convenience we've listed some of the special activities in the Paradise area for your review in developing your get away plans.

Paradise is a small community within Whitefish Township of Chippewa County, Michigan.  Whitefish Township is approximately 294 square miles with Lake Superior, the largest of the five Great Lakes to its North, Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls State Park to the west and Hiawatha National Forrest nestled in its southern region.  According to the 2010 census the population of Whitefish Township is 575 people.  Whitefish Township is the 6th largest municipality by land area in the state of Michigan.  By land mass, Chippewa County is the 2nd largest county in Michigan.  This region located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan along the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway of M-123 offers tourists the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and escape their daily schedules.  The 2022 travel season offers a number of additional activities.

JUNE 15        POINT IROQUOIS LIGHTHOUSE Opens for the Season

JUNE 25        TWO HEARTED Trail Run

JUNE 25        LUMBERJACK BREAKFAST, Tahquamenon Logging Museum

JULY 4             7 - 11 am Whitefish Twp EMS JULY 4 BREAKFAST

JULY 4             1 PM INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE, Downtown Parade

JULY 4             DUSK FIREWORKS, Whitefish Township Community Center

JULY 16            CRISP POINT LIGHTHOUSE Annual Summer Conference

JULY 23 – 24 LUMBERJACK DAYS Tahquamenon Logging Museum

JULY 28           GREAT LAKES Maritime Historian & Author Fred Stonehouse

AUGUST 13     TAHQUA Trail Run 

AUGUST 19 - 21      WILD BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

AUGUST 26            "STORM" CONCERT

AUGUST  27 -28    LUMBERJACK BREAKFAST, Tahquamenon Logging Museum

Our local restaurants offer special entertainment throughout the summer.  Aside from incredible foods, they offer nourishment for the soul.  You'll find a listing of their summer schedule at these links:  The INN!!  and   Wheelhouse Diner & Goat Locker Saloon 

Places to Stay! 

This information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:   Curley's Paradise Motel,  Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Shores Cabins, and  Vagabond Motel.  Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on activities in the area.

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Delectable & Delicious Food Fads in Paradise, Michigan

Lift your fork and experience the delectable flavors every foodie will encounter in Michigan's Paradise.  You may want to use a spoon, so that you don't miss a drop of The INN's Roasted Hubbard Squash Ravioli sauce.  Culinary creations with local Whitefish, herbs, and vegetables will dance on your palette as your summer vacation is an ideal opportunity to sample the best in local favorites.  

Here is a listing of dining options in and near Paradise. About 60 miles northwest of the Mighty Mac bridge on the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway, state route M-123, Paradise is situated east of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, north of the Hiawatha National Forest and south of Lake Superior with Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay to the east. 

Courtesy FreshwaterFeasts.com 2019, Brown's Fisheries 

The Brown family has been instrumental in the economic development of Paradise since the 1930's. Brown's Fisheries Fish House is located just west of the blinking light in Paradise at 32638 West Michigan State Route 123.  Open traditionally from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, the Brown family serves the best Whitefish you'll find in the Great Lakes Region.  Be sure to get there early as once the fish is gone, they are closed for the day.  

Smoked Whitefish Dip, Courtesy the INN

Allow your taste buds to dance at The INN, Gastropub and Smokehouse,  located just north of O'brien's Creek and in front of the Magnuson Grand Lakefront Hotel.  Open pretty much year round (double check their hours in November, December, March and April) You will be astounded at the musings of Chef Josh Winkler as he works with fresh foods, herbs, and vegetables.   You'll find tantalizing photos and up to date postings on their Facebook page, 8112 North M-123. 

The Wheelhouse Restaurant & Goat Locker Saloon is located just west of the blinking light at 32520 West M-123.   Open year round, you'll find one of Captain Jack's boats next to the parking lot, and good times in the saloon. 

Compliments Tahquamenon Brewery Camp 33 Website

The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub, Camp 33 is located in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Upper Falls entrance.  The brewery offers a wonderful collection of flavors that range from a Black Bear Stout to a Wild Blueberry enhanced ale to celebrate the summer months.  Brews on tap vary from time to time to take advantage of seasonal flavors.  The restaurant's  chefs have developed a wild rice soup and smoked fish salad that calms your hungry soul and often in the fall and winter months you'll find a hearty pasty, a local favorite.

Fresh Whitefish Image Compliments
 Catch of the Day Food Truck

Catch of the Day food truck offers Fresh Lake Superior Whitefish.  Deliciously fresh and delicately prepared.  Serving the BEST hand-dipped onion rings around!  Just ask anyone!  Catch of the Day is located on M-123 with in the Paradise commercial district.  Parking is available and limited outdoor dining spaces.  You won't regret grabbing a delectable filet at this food stop.

Compliments Fresh Coast Cafe Facebook Page  

The Fresh Coast Cafe is located just north of the Paradise Recreational Sports gas station at 8239 North M-123.  The offer a wide selection of assorted subs and sandwiches.  

The Berry Patch Restaurant is located at M-123 open year round for breakfast and lunch.  Specifically located at 8324 North M-123.

Compliments RJ Regan

Silver Creek Grill & Pub offers a popular Friday night fish fry and a hearty hamburger.  Located along the snowmobile trail, north of Eckerman and south of Paradise, at 151 M-123.

Places to Stay! 

This information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:   Curley's Paradise Motel,  Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Shores Cabins, and  Vagabond Motel.  Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on activities in the area.

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