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Hunts' Guide to Michigan's UPPER PENINSULA
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JUST OUT!
A new edition of Hunts' Mapguide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Over 300 entries, all conveniently located on maps and chosen because we think they are the coolest things to do in the U.P. (No ad tie-ins!) Great choices for restaurants, hikes, shops, adventures, museums, boat trips, waterfalls, vistas, road trips, and much more!
To learn more click UP MAP GUIDE
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Region: St. Ignace & U.S. 2 to Naubinway
NAUBINWAY
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 | | Fishing tugs like this go out from Naubinway onto Lake Michigan in the morning, when it’s calmest, to check the nets and bring in fish. | Another blur for many motorists charging along U.S. 2, Naubinway was once a busy lumbering and fishing village near the mouth of the Millecoquins River. There's more of the actual village than seen from the highway. It's south near the lake. In the harbor on the eastern end of town fishing tugs can be seen with their distinctive boxed-in silhouette, protected from the elements. Some commercial fishing still is based in Naubinway.
 | | When a boat comes in, there’s a flurry of activity. | Settled by French-Canadian fishing families in 1880, Naubinway boomed in that decade. Lumbering and fishing grew together, and 1,500 people lived here. Six hundred men worked at a sawmill; 34 fishing tugs employed many others. By 1898, two years after the mills closed, only six families remained. However, Naubinway stayed focused on fishing, through the devastating 1940s lamprey invasion that decimated the fish population, and into the 1960s. At that time the state decided to favor sport fishing in most Great Lakes waters, thereby put many smaller commercial fishermen out of business. (The state figured that sport fishing would create economic benefits bigger than those of commercial fishing.) Court decisions in the 1980s have enabled Indians to continue fishing, since they never gave up their rights to hunt and gather when they ceded or sold their land to the government.
Back to St. Ignace & U.S. 2 to Naubinway
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NAUBINWAY
RESTAURANTS,
LODGINGS
& CAMPGROUNDS
These are our choices, not ads.
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NAUBINWAY
RESTAURANTS
See also: Epoufette and in the Seney and Tahquamenon region Blaney Park and Curtis.
SHIRLEY'S COVE BAR
(906) 477-6061
The only bar in town, Shirley's is now owned by Gino and Ellen Farone, who used to own the Hog Island Country Store.) They run the bar with the same good-hearted, retro panache. It's been spiffed up a big lately. The bar has a fine view of the cove, township marina, and Lake Michigan. Food here includes Gino's homemade soups and chili, daily lunch specials (under $5— meatloaf is the most requested), and possibly the "best hamburger in town" plus frozen pizza and many sandwiches. There's a grassy area with horseshoe pits and a new pavilion out back. There's also a wood dance floor, and live music around six times a year. Often it's bluegrass. Expect some smoke, especially in winter when windows are closed and the wood heater is on.
Turn south at the blinker light in Naubinway, go 3 blocks. Bar is on the water. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sun from noon. Wheelchair-accessible. Children welcome until 9 p.m. Full bar.
CAP'N CARL'S
(906) 477-1055
In this family restaurant, the family includes commercial fishermen based right here in Naubinway. It's no surprise that fresh whitefish dominates the menu: whitefish chowder, a whitefish sandwich ($5 with potato chips), and a 5-piece whitefish dinner ($11) with choice of potato and salad or slaw. No smoking. No alcohol. No credit cards.
On U.S. 2 in "downtown" Naubinway, 2 doors west of the gas station. Open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed in Dec. Handicap access: call.
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NAUBINWAY
LODGINGS
KING'S MOTEL
(906) 477-6271
Right in the middle of Nauibinway's "downtown," near Cap'n Carl's restaurant and a small grocery, this motel has 22 attractive rooms in a variety of sizes: queens, a family room, kitchenette cabins. All have phones and cable TV. Most typical are rooms with 2 double beds ($52-$59/night). A kitchenette for 4 people is about $70; one double bed is $45. Half the rooms are no-smoking. The rec room has two hot tubs, a changing area, microwave, TV, games, books, and in the morning coffee and toast. Walk to marina, fishing tugs' dock, Shirley's Cove Bar on Lake Michigan. On snowmobile trail.
W-11655 U.S. 2, south side in Naubinway. Open year-round. Pets in some rooms. One room ADA accessible. Call on others. $7/extra person. Small children free.
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NAUBINWAY
CAMPGROUNDS
BIG KNOB CAMPGROUND/Lake Superior State Forest
(906) 477-6048 (DNR field office). Not reservable. www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/
Big Knob's beach, trails, duneqand natural area, and campground are an unheralded destination, off the beaten path but not inconvenient. A recently improved road winds 6 miles through forest and wetlands to the 23-site rustic campground. Campsites are in the low, forested dunes behind the beach and marshes. Campers are separated, if not quite invisible to neighbors. See separate point of interest for trail info.
See directions for Big Knob Pathway but continue south. 6 miles from U.S. 2 to campground. Serviced May thru Nov. Not gated or plowed in winter. Camping $10 night. Handicap access: now has improved fire rings, picnic tables, walkway to beach, but not restrooms. Dogs OK on 6-foot leash.
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