Thompson’s Harbor State Park

Thompson’s Harbor State Park & Dark Sky Preserve

Located 24 miles north of Alpena on US 23 North

This natural area encompasses 5,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, upland and marsh. In Michigan, there are fewer than 50 remaining examples of “forested wet swale communities” of this quality. The area supports one of the largest known populations in the world of the federal and state-threatened dwarf lake iris, Michigan’s state wildflower. Thousands of iris shoots, and several other plant species of special concern grow in the area. Situated along seven and a half miles of Lake Huron shoreline, this undeveloped park provides a rustic retreat for hikers exploring the park’s six miles of trails. Hours of adventure can be had exploring trails, swimming in Lake Huron or playing in the sand dunes. Park at the trail-head off of US-23. The park is also one of the State of Michigan’s newest Dark Sky Preserves.