In the mood for an outdoor adventure with a little less effort involved? Take a low-key trip to Gratiot River Park.
- Location
- 47.2063280, -88.2711640
- Don't Forget
- Blanket, binoculars, bug spray and compass for exploring the woods.
- Best Time to Go
- Anytime
Fresh Coast Tip
The road to Gratiot Piver Park is surrounded by a cedar swamp, where you’ll find some of the peninsula’s best mushroom hunting and thimbleberry picking.
Gratiot River Park is a scenic swath of Lake Superior shoreline that feels a lot more remote than it is.
The most intense part of your trip will be navigating the bounces and ruts of the unpaved 4-mile road that leads to this secluded park at the mouth of the Gratiot River. With its quiet wooded setting serenaded by the gentle hum of the river flowing into the lake, plus over 8,000 feet of shoreline to stroll, the park is a popular site for picnics, proposals, and romantic rendezvous of all kinds.
But don’t let romance distract you from the natural wonders of this park.
The outflow of the river creates an abundant fishing hole for trout, salmon and smelt, while the pebbly beach offers a bounty of beautiful rocks and minerals, as well as slate formations imprinted with petrified ripples from the Big Lake. The thick woods bordering the park make a natural habitat for many species of Keweenaw wildlife—keep a lookout for bald eagles and kingfishers flying low across the sky, loons and great blue herons at the water’s edge, and beavers and otters playing along the river mouth.
Whether you bring kids, pets, your special someone, or just a blanket and a good book, make sure to stay until dusk—the west-facing park is a perfect theatre for some of the most spectacular sunsets anywhere in the Keweenaw.