Michigan has more registered boat owners than any other state, and Cheboygan, located where the Cheboygan River spills into Lake Huron on the Straits of Mackinac, is a big reason why. The town is the jumping off point for the Inland Waterway that follows three rivers and three lakes across for 40 miles through most of northern Michigan.
Planning a visit? Stay at Waterways Campground.
Across the open waters of Lake Huron sit the popular summer tourist destinations of Mackinac Island and the larger and more rustic Bois Blanc Island. Cruises on the strait can also inspect seven lighthouses that call attention to the tricky underwater shoals offshore. On land, the North Central State Trail and North Eastern State Trail hold their own against the area’s water trails, and the Black Mountain Recreation Area is one of just three state-approved ATV grounds in Michigan.
After a day of play on the water or the dirt, Cheboygan is the ideal harbor town in which to relax. Boaters can tie up and dine right along the river and stroll past heritage curiosities such as the Cheboygan Historical Jail and the restored Opera House.
