Craig Lake State Park

Craig Lake State Park
Location	Spurr Township Baraga County, Michigan
Nearest city	Nestoria, Michigan
Coordinates	46°36′43″N 88°10′41″W
Area	10.91 mi² (28.26 km²)
Governing body	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Website	Official website

Craig Lake State Park is a remote state park in the state of Michigan. Located in Baraga County on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this 6,983-acre (28.26 km²) tract of wilderness was at one time owned by the Miller Brewing family. By the late 1960s, it was acquired by the state of Michigan.

The land contains several lakes accessible only by foot or paddle. It offers fishing and beautiful scenery.

Rustic camping is available to those who are willing to hike in along the many backpacking trails.

Craig's Lake was rehabilitated by youth volunteers in the mid 1970s. At that time, access to the area was even more restrictive than now, requiring transit of miles of rocky trails barely traversable by jeep, let alone a Pontiac Grand Prix. Nonetheless, the young adults volunteering and chosen for this endeavor felt blessed for the opportunity. Unfortunately, one of the many difficult tasks assigned to the youthful volunteers involved building steps in trails with wood logs preserved in a fungicide commonly used at the time. Dutifully, these youths soaked wood steps in fungicide before planting them in trails during the hot, muggy summer days of upper Michigan, clothed in nothing more than shorts and shoes. By the end of these days, their bodies were literally covered and soaked in this chemical preservative. Alas, little was known of the teratogenic effect of the substance, which is no longer in use.

Less than one year after exposure during his time as a volunteer, previously robust James Herman Kienitz of Chase Michigan developed signs of cleaved cell, non-Hodgins lymphoma, a cancer of 100% mortality at that time. Jim Kienitz eventually succumbed to his disease in August of 1977, after valiant struggle. The park and the people that enjoy it owe gratitude to Jim and the other young adults that volunteered their time and even their health to open it the public.

Facilities and activities

• Hunting: The park is open to hunting from mid-September until the end of March.
• Hiking: Trails are rugged. An eight-mile loop encompasses Craig Lake. The park also has a 7.5 mile stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
• Cross-country skiing: Trails are ungroomed.
• Fishing: Muskellunge and northern pike are found in Craig Lake, pan fish in Teddy Lake.
• Snowmobiling

External links

• Craig Lake State Park - Michigan DNR
• Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas) - Craig Lake State Park