Rapid River is located on US-2 in Delta County.  The village was named after the Rapid River which has a series of rapids for miles from its mouth to its head waters.  It was first named Rapid Siding by the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad officials, but its name was changed when the village was platted and recorded by Mr. Hibbard in 1887.  Hibbard & Wright owned and operated a sawmill and a grocery store, and their employees bought the first lots. Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.

Attractions

Haymeadow Falls

Peninsula Point [Wildlife Viewing Area] - U.S. Forest Service, Hiawatha National  Forest, Rapid River Ranger District office, Phone: (906) 474-6442.. From Rapid River, drive east on US-2 for about 3  miles to County Road 513. Turn right (south) and continue about  18 miles to Peninsula Point. The final mile of road is a single  lane with intermittent turnouts, not recommended for RVs or  vehicles with trailers. This site is at the very tip of a long peninsula that sticks out into Lake Michigan. A National Historic Lighthouse sits on the point, and its 40-foot tower makes an ideal vantage point for viewing wildlife and the spectacular scenery along the rocky limestone shoreline. A one-mile hiking trail through the wooded shoreline offers more “down to earth” wildlife viewing. The woodlands along the shoreline are a unique mixture of white cedar, white birch, and large cottonwood trees. During low water periods, up to a quarter of a mile of limestone beach is exposed and becomes vegetated with sedges, grasses, and wildflowers, enhancing habitat for migrating butterflies and other wildlife. The historic lighthouse on this site makes a great viewing platform. Take a camera and a pair of binoculars up the circular iron staircase to get a bird’s-eye view of ducks, geese, gulls, shorebirds, and songbirds. During fall and spring, this site serves as a natural “launch pad” and “landing strip” for migrating birds that need to rest and feed before or after their long, non-stop flight across Green Bay. Spring warbler viewing is particularly good. Many birders come to the Point to watch migrating eagles, hawks, and owls in spring and fall. Monarch butterflies migrate as well. Thousands of these globe-trotting insects congregate at the Point in the fall before continuing their migration to Mexico. A special Monarch butterfly research project is coordinated by the US Forest Service in cooperation with volunteers. The project monitors larvae and tags adults. (Four tagged Monarchs have been found in winter habitat in Mexico). Several-to-many great blue herons are usually seen along the shoreline from spring through fall. Heron chicks in a nearby nesting area, or “rookery,” need a constant food supply to survive and grow. The adults often stalk frogs and small fish in the waters off the Point.

Peninsula Point Lighthouse and Surrounding Area, Hiawatha National Forest, Country Road 513, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6442.  Built in 1864 to aid sailing ships to avoid dangerous shoals hidden off the channels. The 1 1/2 story brick home was destroyed in 1959 by fire, but the 40 foot light tower is open. Also, a hiking trail through the wooded shoreline offers down to earth wildlife viewing. Commonly seen are ducks, geese, gulls and shorebirds. During the migration seasons look for monarch butterflies, spring warblers and blue herons. Restrooms and picnic areas are available.

Rapid River Falls, located seven miles north of Rapid River on the West side of US-41

Dining Out

Pantry Restaurant, 10455 US 2 & 41, PO Box 187, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6816

Lodging

Tell Them You Found Them in the Upper Peninsula Online!

The Buck Sporting Lodge, E5372 Highway M-94, Munising, MI 49862, Phone: (906) 439-5835

Camper's Paradise Resort, 8733 East # 25th Road, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6106

Chippeny Creek Lodge, US 2, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 486-6333

Nirvana Resort, 7670 26th Road, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (847) 971-0505

Onpawe Lodge Sportsman's Cottage, 7595 Caps Lane, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (989) 893-6402

Rapid River Lodge, 13149 S.15 Rd., Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (734) 837-4976

Sall-Mar Motel and Resort, 7989 U.S. Highway 2, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6918

Sterling's Resort, 9936 U 65 Lane, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6467

Organizations

Outdoors

Bay De Noc Charters, 7989 U.S. Highway 2, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6918

Bay de Noc-Grand Island Trail, Trailhead is two miles east of Rapid River, on County Road 509, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6442

Dream America Guided Outdoor Tours for Women, 9960 Forest Highway 13, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-9920

Haymeadow Creek Campground, Waterfalls & Trail, County Road 509, Hiawatha National Forest, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6442

Hiawatha National Forest, 2727 N. Lincoln Road, Escanaba, MI 49829, Phone: (906) 786-4062

Hiawatha National Forest Rapid River Ranger District, 8191 U.S. Highway 2, Rapid River, MI 49829, Phone: (906) 474-6442

Little Bay de Noc Campground, County Road 513, Hiawatha National Forest, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6442

Maywood History Trail, Trail located five miles south of US 2 on County Road 513, east of Rapid River, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6442.

Monster Walleye Guide Charter Service, 7875 Jennie Street, P.O. Box 467, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-9697

Nahma Marsh Trail, 14 miles E on US 2, 3 miles S on County Rd 497, Hiawatha National Forest, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6442

Rapid River Ski Trail, 8181 US Hwy 2, Hiawatha National Forest, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6442

Sall-Mar Motel and Resort, 7989 U.S. Highway 2, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6918

Vagabond Resort And Campground, 8935 County Road 513, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-6122

Whispering Valley Campground, 8410 US-2, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 731-5430

Whitefish Hill RV Park & Campground, 8455 US-2, PO Box 67, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-9555

Services

Dream America Guided Outdoor Tours for Women, 9960 Forest Highway 13, Rapid River, MI 49878, Phone: (906) 474-9920

Shopping

Advertisements

CLICK ON THE MAPS BELOW TO VISIT OTHER ENCHANTED FOREST DIRECTORIES!