Monocle Lake Trail

Monocle Lake Trail

Directions:

From Brimley, MI take Lakeshore Drive north about 6 miles to Monocle Lake Recreation Area on the left side of the road.

Size:

2 linear miles long.

Facilities and Opportunities:

• Restrooms – at the Monocle Lake Recreation Area campground and Iroquis Point Lighthouse.
• Trails – two linear miles.
• Picnic – at the Monocle Lake campground.
• Camping – Monocle Lake campground operated by concessionaire, nightly fee ($10, 2003).
• Boat Ramp – at the Monocle Lake campground, small boats.
• Drinking Water – hand pumps at campground.
• Fishing – fishing pier at the Monocle Lake campground.
• Hunting – Forest Service lands open to hunting, campground closed.

Description:

The forested two mile hiking trail at Monocle Lake Campground passes over a nice wetland boardwalk, runs along scenic Monocle Lake, and gives access to a high bluff overlook of Lake Superior and the Canadian shoreline several miles across the St. Marys River. The first 1,100 feet of the trail (which includes the wetland boardwalk) is fully accessible. The trail to the bluff overlook is steep and challenging.

Wildlife Viewing:

The wetland boardwalk portion of the trail runs right along a beaver dam. These industrious animals actually used the boardwalk as part of their dam structure during its construction. Water levels in the wetland may fluctuate from year to year as the beaver colony comes and goes. Look for a beaver lodge in the wetland. The underwater entrances to these large stick and mud houses allow beavers to enter and leave with little exposure to predators. Waterfowl and great blue herons also may be seen using this wetland area in years when the beaver have helped keep the water levels up. Osprey frequently nest in the Monocle Lake area. Watch for ospreys (also called fish hawks) catching fish in the open water areas. The Iroquis Point Lighthouse is nearby on the Lake Superior shore. It is maintained by the Hiawatha National Forest (open May 15 to October 15) and has modern barrier free restrooms. Iroquis Point offers public access to the shoreline for wildlife viewing – a place to look for migrating birds that are following the coastline.

Portions of this area are open to public hunting. Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for affected seasons and locations.

View/Download map of Monocle Lake Trail

Information courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources

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