Top 8 Nature & Parks in Rapid River, Michigan (MI)

Haymeadow Creek Campground is located approximately 11 miles from Rapid River. Take US-2 east from Rapid River 1.6 miles, turn left on Co. Road 509 and go north 9.4 miles to the entrance. The campground is near Haymeadow Creek and has direct access to two hiking trails.CampingThere are 15 large campsites, all with tables and fire rings. Drinking water is available at a hand pump and there are toilet facilities. Please be sure to pack out what you pack in, as there are no trash receptacles.FishingHaymeadow Creek is a high quality trout stream. Anglers will be challenged to catch the wary brook trout.HikingThere are two trailheads to the Haymeadow Falls Trail - one in the campground and another 1/4 mile north on Co. Road 509. The well-marked trail from the campground takes you along a winding path, across small bridges, through a heavily forested area lined with many varieties of ferns and wild plants. The trail of approximately 1 mile leads you along the creek to the footbridge at the Haymeadow Falls rapids. Continue on to the second trailhead and back along the road to the campground, or you can reverse this pattern by parking at the second trailhead, taking the trail to the rapids, and on to the campground and back to your car. There are blue markers along the entire length of the trail.A short 1/2 mile spur near the north trailhead connects you to the 40 mile Bay de Noc Grand Island National Recreation Trail, which is used for hiking and horseback riding.General InformationGroceries and gasoline are available in Rapid River. Haymeadow Creek Campground is a no-fee area.ContactAdditional information about the Haymeadow Campground and Falls Trail is available from the Rapid River Ranger District or the Forest Supervisor's Office.Information courtesy of the USDA Forest Service

The Rapid River ski trail offers five loops suitable for hiking and biking. The trail is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful in the Upper Peninsula, as it winds thru towering pine-covered ridges and drops into thick lowland swamps, offering a wide variety of challenges, from gentle, flat terrain to long, steep hills. The trailhead is located six miles north of Rapid River on US Highway 41.

The Bay de Noc-to-Grand Island Trail parallels the Whitefish River, starting from 1/2 to 2 miles east of the river. The trail follows the approximate location of an ancient Chippewa Indian portage route used to carry canoes and supplies between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Following the river bluff for a considerable distance, it offers the hiker many extended views to the west across the Whitefish River Valley.

This hard packed easily accessible trail takes the visitor through a 200 year old hemlock forest on the shore of Little Bay de Noc. Because of its geographic setting, the area was a focal point of human activity and includes Native American sites and the foundations of an old resort hotel complex. Abundant historic photographs and oral history quotations on interpretive signs tell the Maywood story.

The 40 ft. lighthouse tower is an easy climb on a circular staircase to a beautiful view from the platform at the top. The spectacular panorama of lake Michigan is unparalleled. Be sure to bring you camera.The USDA Forest Service operates the grounds as a picnic area, with 10 tables and grills on the lawns surrounding the tower. Pit toilets are available, as well as drinking water.

The Felch Grade Trail is a 40 mile trail open to hiking, mountain biking, motorcycling, and snowmobiling.

Forest Island Trail is a 33 mile trail open to hiking, motorcycling, atving, and snowmobiling.

Norway ORV trail is located in Norway, MI and is labeled as an ORV trail.