Baraga is a tranquil village in Michigan that sits directly on the shoreline of L’Anse Bay. Situated in the Upper Peninsula, the closest major town is Green Bay, Wisconsin. With a population of fewer than 2,000 residents, Baraga is a destination where you can truly relax and get away from big-city stressors. Notably, Baraga is inside the Keweenaw Bay Indian Reservation, and its primary attraction is the Ojibwa Casino. This casino was recognized as the Casino Players Best of Gaming winner in 2019. It offers both slots and table games, and the facility also has dining options. Residents and visitors can travel through Baraga and as far as Hancock and Milwaukee via the Indian Trails bus line.
Baraga was established in 1843 via the Holy Name Mission. Its founding is attributed to Reverend Frederic Baraga. Baraga’s single post office did not open until 1869. One of its primary employers today is the Baraga Correctional Facility, which opened in 1993. On the northeastern area of town, the Sand Point Lighthouse has been standing since 1867, and this restored structure is now open for tours.
A few recreational opportunities are located just outside the city limits. To the north, the Ojibwa Campground offers shaded campsites along the shores of Lake Superior. Lake fishing, a marina and a lighthouse are also available. To the south, Baraga State Park runs along the bay’s coastline. It's a popular spot for camping, kayaking and hiking. Other natural areas nearby that offer recreational opportunities are the Six Mile Creek Preserve, L’Anse Township Park and Baraga Cliff Roadside Park.
Campgrounds Near Baraga, Michigan
Aune-Osborn Campground in nearby Sault Saint Marie is located directly on the shoreline of St. Mary River. This is a city-managed RV park that has 24 waterfront sites. These are available for a nightly rate of $35 or a monthly rate of $800. All RV sites include wireless internet access as well as water and electricity hookups. A dump station is available. Other facilities at this RV park include a coin-operated laundry room, fire rings, picnic tables, two boat launches and a fish cleaning station.
Loons Point RV Park and Campground in Cedarville offers family-friendly amenities and a natural, serene setting. Guests can take advantage of opportunities to view wildlife, fish, bike, hike, canoe, hunt, play basketball and more. The full-hookup RV sites include fire rings, and they are available for $44 nightly or $264 weekly. Loons Point RV Park and Campground also offers excellent amenities, including a dump station, a boat dock, a laundry facility, a park, firewood and ice.
Coyote RV Park and Campground in nearby Stephenson boasts a rural country ambiance with 54 RV sites to choose from. All of the RV sites have water and electric hookups. Select sites are also available with pull-through parking and a septic system. The community pavilion is suitable for group gatherings, and a rec room features a kitchen. This is a no-frills RV park, but numerous recreational activities and amenities are located a short drive away for your convenience. For example, the neighboring Escanaba National Forest is popular for hunting, and the Menominee River is suitable for canoeing, fishing and boating.
State Parks Near Baraga, Michigan
McLain State Park near Hancock is on a peninsula that juts into Lake Superior. In addition to having 2 miles of shoreline with a sandy beach on the lake, the trails are suitable for hiking and cross-country skiing. One of the hiking trails winds through the southern area of the park along Bear Lake. The Keweenaw Waterway Lighthouse is a popular attraction on the grounds. You will also find restrooms, cabins, picnic areas, two playgrounds and a concessions store within the park.
Bewabic State Park is directly off Route 2 near Crystal Falls. This 315-acre park includes water frontage along Fortune Lake. Some of its structures were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, including the Bewabic bathhouse. When you visit, you can enjoy hike-in camping, metal detecting, fishing, cross-country skiing, picnicking and swimming at the beach. The park also offers a boat launch to access the lake.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park covers 35,000 acres of mountainous terrain on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The varied landscapes include numerous waterfalls, old-growth forests, streams and many miles of rivers. Throughout the park, more than 90 miles of hiking trails wind through the area and offer breathtaking views. Some of the popular points of interest include Lake of the Clouds and Nonesuch Mine. With beaver, otters, red foxes, coyotes, deer, bobcats and more, the wildlife is abundant. At this state park, you can also enjoy camping, archery, mountain biking and other activities.
National Sites Near Baraga, Michigan
Keweenaw National Historic Park is a 1,700-acre area that preserves both the natural history and local culture through its exhibits and structures. There are 21 heritage sites on the grounds. In addition, the largest and oldest lava flow on the planet is on display in this area, and it created a huge copper vein that was mined for decades by people from a variety of European backgrounds. Visitors can view exhibits and artifacts at the Carnegie Museum on the property.
Grand Portage National Monument is a protected area on Lake Superior’s shore that preserves the heritage of the Anishinaabeg Ojibwe tribe and the area’s fur trading history. On the grounds, you will find the Great Hall, the Kitchen, the Stockade and the Canoe Warehouse, which are part of the preserved Ojibwe Village. There is also an 8.5-mile walking trail that crosses by both rapids and waterfalls on Lake Superior. In addition to touring these areas, you can view a rendezvous reenactment during your visit.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located just north of Munising, and it boasts breathtaking landscapes. These include sand dunes, expansive forests, grand waterfalls, beaches and sandstone cliffs. The Marsh Trail includes a lengthy boardwalk that takes you through varied landscapes. The Petit Portal Arch, which is also called Lover’s Leap, is a popular photo spot. Miners Castle, Miners Beach, Sand Point, Twelvemile Beach and other spots also offer great views.
National Forests Near Baraga, Michigan
Ottawa National Forest extends across more than a million acres on the Upper Peninsula. Its rustic, unspoiled landscape has tall forests, more than 500 named lakes and 18 waterfalls. In addition to having well-spaced campsites, back-country camping is also permitted. The waterways are well-suited for fishing. In addition, the trails are ideal for hiking in the summer and dog sledding, snowmobiling, Alpine skiing and other activities in the winter. Wildlife is abundant and includes varied species like deer, wolves, bear and coyotes.
Hiawatha National Forest is equally breathtaking and boasts shorelines on Lake Huron, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Throughout the 894,836-acre landscape, there are numerous islands, lighthouses and miles of trails. One of these lighthouses, the Point Iroquois Lighthouse, is open for tours as a museum. The North Country Trail extends for 4,600 miles and passes through the forest. Numerous campgrounds are also located throughout the wilderness.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest runs across 1,530,647 acres in northern Wisconsin. The area was heavily logged decades ago, so much of the forest is new growth. However, the Civilian Conservation Corps has replanted many of the trees. In addition to having forests, the grounds include bogs, glacial lakes, meadows, rivers, wetlands and uplands. Miles of trails as well as campgrounds are available. In addition, boating, fishing, cross-country skiing and paddling are some of the fun ways to enjoy the outdoors here.