More than 200 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline set the scene for a trip through Delta County. The county includes the cities of Escanaba, Gladstone and Rapid River. Depending on your interests, you can focus your stay on the water and boating, trails through varied landscapes, or regional history. When planning, it’s also worth considering the season: tours, rentals, concerts and winter sports each have their own conditions.

Shoreline, Boating and Historic Trails

Fayette Historic State Park is on Big Bay de Noc on Lake Michigan, between Snail Shell Harbor and Sand Bay. Five miles of trails wind around the harbor and offer views from 90-foot-high limestone cliffs. At the Fayette Historic Townsite, you can walk through preserved historic buildings and take part in self-guided or guided walking tours in summer. Check whether seasonal tours are available before your trip.

A boat launch in the park provides access to Big Bay de Noc. Kayaks and an 18-foot canoe are also available to rent there: from June through September at the contact station, and from October through May at the park administration office. Availability can change, so ask about current offerings before your visit. The Track Chair can be used throughout the park, including at the historic townsite; reservation procedures may also change.

For boaters, Escanaba Marina offers fuel, electricity, showers, a harbormaster, bicycle rentals and visitor information. Check in advance which of these services will be available during your visit. Delta County’s Lake Michigan shoreline also offers opportunities for swimming, paddling and boating.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The Days River Nature Trail is a 0.75-mile loop through a diverse floodplain forest near the mouth of the Days River. Cedar groves, wetlands and views of the river are among the trail’s features. In winter, there are several winter loops at the Days River Trail and a groomed trail for skate skiing. Ask about grooming and trail conditions in advance.

O.B. Fuller Park offers a distinctive landscape of its own: the 82-acre regional park is on the Bark River and Lake Michigan. At Ludington Park, a bike path connects the waterfront park and swimming beach with Aronson Island. An accessible fishing pier is located there. These varied offerings give you several ways to spend time outdoors without trying to fit every activity into a single day’s itinerary.

If you’re traveling in winter, Gladstone Ski Hill offers downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing, as well as a fun park with a halfpipe and snowmaking. Check operating hours and conditions before you travel.

Museums, Lighthouse and Local History

At the end of Ludington Street, across from Escanaba Municipal Marina, stands Sand Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse has been fully restored and furnished, and it retains a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Exhibits at the Delta County Historical Museum cover topics ranging from logging, shipping and railroads to military history, Indigenous cultures, fishing and the local economy.

The U.P. Military Museum offers self-guided tours. Its collection includes artifacts from the American Civil War era and beyond; check the current operating schedule before your visit. The Webster Marble: Inventing the Outdoors Museum displays, among other items, hunting knives, axes, automatic fish hooks, the Game Getter rifle and a Ford Model T. The U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Village and Museum offers an interactive learning experience featuring demonstrations by local artisans of traditional crafts. These demonstrations may be seasonal.

Plan Around Seasonal Events

In summer, concerts are held every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Karas Memorial Band Shell in Ludington Park. Check the seasonal calendar if you’d like to plan a concert evening. The Gladstone Farmers Market runs every Monday from June through September and offers locally grown fruit and vegetables, baked goods and handcrafted items. Since the seasonal schedule may change, it’s also worth checking current dates. The fair at the U.P. State Fairgrounds and Heritage Center takes place every August; confirm the dates before planning your trip around it.

Then match your lodging location to your own itinerary.

Explore more destinations: Escanaba, Schoolcraft County, Antrim County, Lake County, Mason County, Manistee County, Iosco County, St. Joseph.

View the main travel overview: Michigan.