Hiawatha National Forest Forest Road 2246 Whitefish Point Coastal Access
Superior's shipwreck coast backcountry access
Forest Road 2246 punches through the boreal forest to reach one of Lake Superior’s most notorious stretches of coastline. The 12-mile route leads to within sight of where the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in 1975, following old Coast Guard service roads through swampy lowlands and over ancient beach ridges. The final approach to Whitefish Point requires navigating seasonal bog holes that can swallow a careless driver, but the payoff is raw Lake Superior shoreline without the crowds.
Easy to moderate difficulty, though spring conditions can upgrade things quickly when the bogs are full. Stock high-clearance vehicles can manage it, but 4WD helps when the ground gets soft. June through September offers the best conditions and mosquito tolerance levels. No permits required, but dispersed camping opportunities are limited near the shore. This route puts you on the edge of the greatest of the Great Lakes, where shipping lanes and November gales have claimed more vessels than anywhere else on the inland seas.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 680 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance vehicle |
| Nearest town | Paradise, Michigan |
| Land manager | US Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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