Cheboygan: Bike Trails, Riverfronts and Culture

Cheboygan offers several different points of interest for your trip: bike trails, the Cheboygan River and cultural history. In 2020, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources designated the city a Pure Michigan Trail Town. The routes and places each have their own focus—from cycling and parks by the water to theater and local history.

Bike Trails with Different Route Options

The North Eastern State Trail is a 70-mile rail trail between Alpena and Cheboygan. Its section from Aloha State Park to Cheboygan crosses the Cheboygan River on a historic trestle bridge and then leads into the city. The river crossing and entrance to Cheboygan are specific landmarks along this section.

The North Central State Trail offers a different route option: its section from Topinabee to Cheboygan is 12 miles long. The trail is a bike path with a crushed limestone surface and passes through varied natural landscapes. The distances refer to different units: 70 miles describes the North Eastern State Trail between Alpena and Cheboygan, while 12 miles describes the section of the North Central State Trail between Topinabee and Cheboygan. This lets you compare an entire trail with a segment whose length is specifically stated.

Cheboygan also has land and water trails that can be used for recreation year-round. Trail and bridge conditions can change; check the condition of your chosen route and bridge before setting out.

Riverfronts and Parks

The parks also differ in how they connect to the water. Major City Park has about half a mile of riverfront along the Cheboygan River. Gordon Turner Park has a fishing pier and a swimming beach. This makes it easy to distinguish whether you’re mainly looking for a longer stretch of riverfront or specifically want to visit the designated fishing and swimming areas.

Theater and Local History

The Cheboygan Opera House was originally built in 1877. The Victorian theater is known for its excellent acoustics and for serving as a center for entertainment and the performing arts in the Straits of Mackinaw region and beyond. If a performance is a key part of your trip, check the current schedule in advance, as performance schedules can change.

Spies Heritage Hall is a museum with exhibits on the history of Cheboygan County. Sheriff’s House & Jail offers a different historical perspective: historic rooms and exhibit scenes depict everyday life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The two places therefore have different focuses—county history at one, and scenes from everyday life in two historical periods at the other.

The Cheboygan Crib, the old Cheboygan lighthouse, is on display in a park at the end of Water Street, east of US Highway 23. In addition to theater and museum exhibits, the city’s cultural attractions thus include a specific site connected to the history of the former lighthouse.

Discover more destinations: Tuscarora Township, Mackinaw City.

For the broader travel overview: Cheboygan County.