Bay de Noc – Grand Island National Recreation Trail

Bay de Noc/Grand Island Trail is a non-motorized corridor that parallels the Whitefish River, following the approximate line of an ancient Chippewa Indian portage route between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

The route starts from a point 1/2 to 2 miles east of the Whitefish River and runs north to its intersection with State Highway 94 at Ackerman Lake (about 40 miles total).

For route structure, it gives hikers extended runs along the river bluff with views across the Whitefish River Valley to the west.

Trail character shifts along the length: the southern quarter threads through jack pine, red pine, and aspen with occasional grassy openings, while farther north it enters maple, paper birch, and beech forest on glacial terrain with short, rounded hills.

In between, expect mostly fairly level hiking broken by occasional stream crossings; hilly stretches are sometimes separated by flat segments that support pine and aspen forest.

Use the established access points to fit the day: the south trailhead is reached from Rapid River via US-2 to County Road 509; the middle trailhead uses the same approach but continues farther on CR 509; the north trailhead is at Ackerman Lake along M-94 near the M-28/M-94 junction south of Munising. Two-way travel also brings you into a multi-use setting where you may meet bicyclists and horse riders.

More information: Visitor information, Hiking in Delta County, Bay De Noc Grand Island National Recreation Trail