Nara Nature Park North Boardwalk

Parking for the North Boardwalk is available within the wider Nara Nature Park. The park features a chalet and interpretive center, which typically has parking available for visitors accessing the trails.

Yes, the North Boardwalk was rebuilt in 2020 to meet modern accessibility standards. It is an elevated wooden boardwalk with improved grading, width, and railings, making it suitable for hikers of all abilities, including those with wheelchairs and strollers.

The trail is primarily an elevated wooden boardwalk, offering a flat and easy walking surface. It winds through wetlands and along the Pilgrim River.

The boardwalk offers picturesque views through wetlands and along the Pilgrim River. You can observe diverse wildlife such as red-winged blackbirds, frogs, and dragonflies. The surrounding forest features red pines, speckled alders, and peach-leaf willows. In spring, look for wildflowers like violets, and in summer, wild strawberries. The trail also provides views of Portage Lake and is a great spot for fall colors.

The trail is enjoyable year-round. Spring brings wildflowers like violets, summer offers wild strawberries, and autumn is ideal for experiencing the Keweenaw's vibrant fall colors. Its accessible boardwalk makes it a good option even in less ideal weather.

While the trail is generally considered dog-friendly, it's always best to keep dogs on a leash to protect wildlife and ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors. Please remember to clean up after your pet.

There are no specific permits or entrance fees required to access the Nara Nature Park North Boardwalk trail itself. The wider Nara Nature Park is generally open to the public.

Yes, the Nara Nature Park's trails, including the North Boardwalk, connect to the larger Michigan Tech Trails network, which offers an additional 34.5 miles of maintained paths. The route also passes through sections of the South Boardwalk, Houghton Waterfront Trail, Houghton-Chassell Rail Trail, and MTU Summer Trails.

Yes, along the boardwalk, you'll find viewing platforms that provide opportunities to relax, watch wildlife, or fish in the Pilgrim River. The boardwalk also offers access for launching kayaks and canoes into the Pilgrim River. The wider Nara Nature Park features a chalet with restrooms, showers, and a fireplace, which are open to the public year-round.

The North Boardwalk itself is primarily an out-and-back experience along the Pilgrim River. However, it connects to other trails within the Nara Nature Park and the broader Michigan Tech Trails network, allowing for longer, more varied routes if you wish to extend your hike.

The North Boardwalk is a relatively short trail, approximately 1.3 km (0.8 miles) long. It can typically be completed in about 17 minutes, though you might want to allow more time for wildlife viewing and enjoying the scenery from the viewing platforms.