Old Town Negaunee: A Playground for Nature Enthusiasts

Gabi Kautz

Communications & Marketing Assistant at the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce

​If you are looking to visit the West End of Marquette County, you’re probably already aware of the fact that this is not an urban metropolis sprawling with people and traffic. Perhaps that is the very reason you are coming here. Retreat into nature and enjoy an unpolluted starry sky, lush green forests, and the crickets singing at night.
 
Almost anywhere you go within the West End, you’ll be just minutes away from a trail, lake, and/or woods.
 
A beautiful and easy-to-access spot for hiking and biking trails, rich with history, is Old Town Negaunee. To get there, you can park in one of the parking spots along Tobin Street in Negaunee, just by Jackson Mine Park. This is a trail-head for the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and will lead you right in by foot or bike. Or you can head down Snow Street and drive right in.  You’ll see some roads you can follow along, and there you should find another parking area. (Keep in mind you cannot drive or use any motorized vehicles on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.)
 
The hiking and biking trails are beautiful, or you can just meander through the woods. We came across a bike trail that led us up higher and higher, and soon we were above trees and enjoyed a nice little view.

We found so many raspberry bushes, and stumbled across this cool ghost plant (or Indian Pipe). 

It’s so nice to get lost within the trees and not hear anything other than the sounds of nature around you, whether it’s birds, bugs, wind, or chipmunks throwing acorns out of the trees (don’t be alarmed if one hits you on the head). It’s a great way to slow down and take a break from the daily stressors of life.
 
Check out this article to read more about Old Town Negaunee. It also has some great information about the Republic Wetlands Preserve, which I have yet to explore. It’s on my list, though! There’s also this blog post from one visitor’s perspective that goes into thorough detail with many photos.
 
Bonus: there’s also a disc golf course in Old Town for those who enjoy a good game.  
 
Old Town is a favorite for many around here. We hope that you check it out when you come this way so you can enjoy the beauty, and please remember: leave nothing but footprints, and take nothing but pictures. 

I know I barely scratched the surface on this unique area, let me know what your favorite part about Old Town is!