Live Programs

Exciting live programs happen throughout the day.

Adventure Tour Experience the rush of nature at new heights with the park naturalist-guided Adventure Tour, consisting of the Forest Canopy Bridge, Eagle’s Flight Zip Line, and Nature Trail Climbing Wall. In order to participate in the Adventure Tour, you must be at least 4 feet tall and weigh between 50-250 pounds. Read all guidelines and restrictions before visiting the park and purchasing an Adventure Tour ticket. In addition to general park admission, a separate Adventure Tour ticket is needed to participate in the Adventure Tour.
Power-powered Sawmill Demonstration The centerpiece of the park is the 18th-century reconstructed, water-powered sawmill. Water is released and the flutter wheel begins to turn, shaking the building and giving you a sense of its power. As the saw and its frame move up and down more than 100 times a minute, it’s not hard to see the power contained in the small creek. A days work typically produced 140 boards, far more than the handsaw method.
Handsaw Demonstration A historic interpreter and a guest grasp opposite ends of the long hand saw to demonstrate the vital pioneer skill of sawing logs for building projects. Two men working a 12 hour day could cut 14 boards this way.
Creatures of the Forest Nature Program A park naturalist, surrounding by furs, animal mounts, natural props, and learning tools, talks about the flora and fauna of northern Michigan and the Mill Creek area.