Have an Adventure. 

This is Mackinac. 

Witness the power of the creek harnessed to cut timber into lumber at one of the oldest industrial sites on the Upper Great Lakes. Smell the sawdust as sawyers demonstrate the pit saw method of cutting lumber, then feel the power of the creek used to cut timber inside the reconstructed sawmill. 

Join the Forest Adventure Experience, a guided trek that takes you into, above and through the northern Michigan forest. Scale the five-story Treetop Discovery Tower, taking in bird calls along the way. Brave the Forest Canopy Bridge, high above Mill Creek that explores the under story of the forest. Finally, fly like an eagle down the 425′ Eagle’s Flight Zip Line while spotting fish in the creek. 

Join trained naturalists for engaging programs showcasing the North Woods, and then take time to explore the natural beauty of Mill Creek State Park, which has more than three miles of groomed hiking trails.

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park will open for the 2023 season May 12. 

Highlights

Live Programs and Tours

Historical demonstrations by costumed interpreters feature daily demonstrations of a reconstructed 18th century sawmill. With a smell of fresh sawdust in the air, the awesome power of the water never fails to impress as the mill springs to life, fed by the pond and ever-flowing currents of Mill Creek. Near the workshop, sawpit demonstrations and historic farming programs highlight what life was like beyond the sawmill more than 200 years ago. On the wild side, guests will make discoveries daily as wildflowers bloom and wildlife flourishes along the 3.5 miles of nature trails – be sure to check for Nature of the North Woods programs happening throughout the day. Click either link below for daily events during your visit!

May 12 – June 2, 2023
June 3 – September 3, 2023

Forest Adventure Experience

The Forest Adventure Experience is a high-flying adventure through the treetops and above Mill Creek. The experience consists of the Forest Canopy Bridge, the Eagles’ Flight Zip Line, and the Treetop Discovery Tower. Experiences run every half hour during the operating season. Tickets can only be purchased upon arrival at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, and general admission is required. Some restrictions apply. The Forest Adventure Experience will be available starting June 9.  Learn all about the Forest Adventure Experience by clicking here. 

Exhibits

The Visitor’s Center and Millwright’s House have exhibits on the history of the site featuring archaeological artifacts.

Movie

A fifteen-minute program, The Power of the Water: The Mill Creek Story, is presented in the theater in the Visitor’s Center. It repeats every 15 minutes.

Hands-on Fun

Kids and adults will enjoy the Forest Friends Play Area with the Chickadee Zip Line and making birds sing on the Evergreen Trail’s Sounds of the Forest station. Live programs offer fun for all ages and the view from the top of the Treetop Discovery Tower is not to be missed!

Nature Trails

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park features three miles of trails on 625 acres. Abundant wildflowers, amazing fungi, and scenic views change with every season. North Woods wildlife, including 130 bird species, a beaver colony, black bear, and bobcat have been seen here. Learn more from a naturalist during one of our “Nature of the North Woods” programs.

Watch the video below to see Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in action!