Just outside Mackinaw City is Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park. Overlooking Lake Huron, this is the site of the early 1800s mill that supplied lumber for much of the area's buildings. The mill began sawing lumber in the late 1700s and much of the wood was used on Mackinac Island.

The mill, and a grist mill, were used into the mid 1800s and was rediscovered in 1972 and archaeologists have uncovered remnants of the dam, two houses, a workshop and several other buildings. A National Registered Historic Site, the park opened to the public as part of the Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1984.

Visitors to the Park will find 625 acres along 3,250 feet of Northern Michigan's Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, British workshop, and American millwright's house. But visitors will also find a variety of family adventure activities: a zipline, forest canopy bridge, and a climbing wall all accompanied by a park naturalist guide.

Daily during the summer months are sawmill and hand saw demonstrations, and natural history presentations plus the adventure tours. During the winter months, snowshoeing through the nature trails offers a different view of the frozen landscape.

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park is located five miles outside Mackinaw City.

For more information:
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park
On Lake Huron
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
231-436-4100

More Northern Michigan History...

For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in Northern Michigan:

Harbor Springs, Michigan -- Harbor Springs is the place to try new things! Rent a bike or a kayak, go snow tubing, attend a concert or an art fair, or play a round of golf with friends.
Petoskey -- There's so much to do in Petoskey from the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, to Petoskey State Park, to biking, golfing, hiking, and more.
Charlevoix, Michigan -- Visiting Charlevoix in Northern Michigan is a fun-filled vacation with great beaches, boating, skiing, fishing and year 'round family fun.
Things to Do in Boyne City, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like Boyne City in Northern Michigan with camping, boating, skiing, year 'round outdoor activities, and of course, the morel mushroom!
Lots of Activities in Mackinaw City, Michigan -- Explore Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan for history, the International Dark Sky Park, and outdoor activities.
Mackinac Island -- Take a step back in time and find lots of things to do when you visit Mackinac Island by horseback or bike--no cars allowed!
Northern Michigan Activities & Things to Do -- Northern Michigan offers many fun things to do for the entire family whatever the season, whatever the reason!

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