52 Cheboygan State Park 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Photo: Wolf, MI DNR

Wildlife Viewing

The pitcher thistle grows
along the lakeshore.
Do not disturb these rare
and unique Michigan plants.
Photo: R.Garlitz

Several species of orchids are
common at Cheboygan,
including the pink,
yellow, and showy
lady’s slippers.
Photo: U.S. Forest Service

This park offers superb bird watching opportunities due to its rich and diverse habitats. The swamps and wetlands in the low, wet areas along Lake Huron are good places to see ducks, geese, egrets, herons, and even the elusive American bittern. Several species of gulls, the rare black tern and common tern, plus the Caspian tern, can be seen working these wetlands and extensive shorelines for food. The park’s coastal habitats have a number of threatened and endangered plants such as Houghton’s goldenrod, Pitcher’s thistle, and dwarf lake iris. Many orchid species including the Calypso and ram’s head orchids are found in the moist white cedar habitats. Carnivorous (insect-eating) pitcher plants are common here, but you’ll have to get off the trails to find them. Look for their tall and beautiful, deep red flowers in mid to late summer in wetland habitats in the park. Colorful speckled brook trout may be seen in Little Billy Elliot’s Creek during late summer, and concentrations of black bass are often found in the weed beds of Duncan Bay near the campground. Bobcats are common in the interior of the park. Although these shy and reclusive predators are rarely seen, campers sometimes hear them screaming at night. The scream is a normal call for the bobcat, but it can definitely catch your attention if you’ve never heard it before.

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