Drummond Island Tourism Association

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Drummond Island Tourism Association
P.O. Box 200
Drummond Island, MI 49726
Phone: 906-493-5245
Toll-free: 800-737-8666
Website: www.drummondislandchamber.com

A four season vacationland

Welcome...
An old saying claims "To find the wilderness, go to the end of the road, then turn left and drive another mile." Drummond Island is located just beyond the end of the road, Highway M-134, that is…the most easterly point one can drive crossing Michigan’s vast and scenic Upper Peninsula.

The welcome mat is always evident throughout the entire island... it matters not if you arrive via roadway, air, or water... come and see for yourself.

Drummond is a pleasant hours drive from the Mackinac Bridge, where a 36-car ferry shuttles folks across the broad mouth of the St. Mary’s River. The ferry can accommodate large loads, up to and including modular homes. The mile-long voyage is quick and convenient, lasting just 10 minutes. Twenty-four hour service is available during peak visitor seasons. During peak shipping months, freighter traffic runs high…close-encounter viewing of ore carriers or ocean-going vessels proves exciting. Bring along your camera for great photo ops…binoculars to check stack emblems and foreign flags.

Air traffic arrivals note a 4,000-foot lighted, paved runway complete with instrument approach at the Drummond Island Airport. Boaters will experience little difficulty exploring remote shorelines, rocky coves, back bays, plus a plethora of outer-islands. Several private marina facilities are fully equipped to handle mariners’ special needs.

Island History and Heritage
Think Ojibwa Indians... fur traders... voyageurs…explorers... missionaries, as they paddled the sparkling clear waters of the St. Mary’s River, centuries past when traveling the DeTour Passage proved to be a necessity.

A British fort was erected on Drummond Island after their fortress on Mackinac Island fell to American forces during the War of 1812. While this site is in private ownership, history buffs can examine a re-erected chimney from Fort Drummond at the island’s historical museum, which houses an interesting collection of American Indian, early Finnish settler and British militia artifacts.

Drummond’s rich heritage was closely tethered to the fishing and lumbering industries. Maxton and Johnswood were former mill towns.

Today’s industry centers on a dolomite stone quarry, one of the largest operating in the Great Lakes region.

Numerous private resorts, marina, restaurants, grocery stores, unique gift shops and other business establishments cater to both tourists and residents. Medical, dental and emergency response services are available on the island. Four churches are available for worship. Island organizations schedule events throughout the year.

The Great Outdoors
High priority afforded wildlife watching by locals and tourists alike. Oddly enough, Drummond host no porcupines, skunks or opossums, but coyotes and a few wolves occupy deep wilderness areas. Drive backwoods country to catch sight of deer or black bear…check marshy back bays for furbearers, eagles, and osprey. Annual hawk migrations are common…fall gatherings of Monarch butterflies brighten the landscape.

Take a hike... a long hike... enjoy the great outdoors to its fullest.

Rock hounding for ever-elusive puddingstones with their paint-like splatters of vibrant red jasper, jet black chert, and soft white quartz serve as a reminder of an early settler’s pudding made from cherries, currents and nuts.

Fossil and shellfish finds are discovered along rock rubble beaches.

Enjoy Four Seasons...
Winter... Spring... Summer... Fall... the four seasons beckon visitors to enjoy Drummond’s natural amenities. Drummond represents the second largest United States island located in the Great Lakes. It is comprised of 87,000 acres, of which 67% is state owned. Its coastline takes in over 150 miles. ATV trails make up 65 miles, and winter-groomed snowmobile routes cover an additional 100 miles.

From late December through mid-March two ice bridges form between Drummond and Ontario, Canada, affording snow machine riders with the only legal international crossing afforded in North America. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing provides other natural activities.

Fish year-around. Shanties dot hard bay ice throughout winter months. Ice-out brings runs of smelt and perch…best make resort reservations early. Anglers continue summer through autumn with excellent catches of perch, pike, bass, herring, walleye and salmon. Marinas provide rental pontoon and fishing boats with motors for sportsmen not trailering crafts.

Play golf? Drummond boasts both 18-hold and 9-hole golf courses.

Water sports dominate summer fun from sailing to canoe trips, sea kayaking, scuba diving and water skiing. Fresh air and sunny days cooperate as sky meets water on long, hazy, lazy days of summer.

Quiet activities prevail. May morel seekers search out these tasty mushrooms. Migrating warblers by the thousand thrill bird watchers as birds rest and feed along Drummond’s southern shore during annual spring migrations.

Hunting dominates the autumn scene from regulated bear harvesting to deer hunts. Some of the finest waterfowl hunting is found along Drummond’s marshy bays.

Autumn also provides spectacular crayola-color changes as hardwoods turn to brilliant yellows, oranges, crimsons and shades of rust and gold. Bike rentals and guide services prove popular this time of year.

Diversity...
Something for everyone! Interests range from hunting, fishing, canoeing, sailing, sea kayaking, scuba diving to golfing, hiking, tennis, mountain biking, snowmobiling, rock hounding. Or how about those quiet pastimes…searching for morels, berry gathering, photography, bird watching, plant and wildlife appreciation? From rock hounding to island exploration, the choice is strictly personal. The great outdoors surrounds you... so just do your own thing!

Sights to Behold...
Glen Cove - Quiet campsite... remote setting... ideal for exploring kayakers... land cozies up to water here... a place for reflection.

Marble Head - See 200-foot high towering limestone cliffs offering beautiful vistas of the North Channel and Canada’s Cockburn Island.

Potagannissing Bay - To fully appreciate a river expedition, hire a local guide as many false channels make passage to the chain-of-lakes difficult. Boaters will observe wild rice growing in reckless abandon along stream edges providing excellent opportunities to watch nesting loons and waterfowl.

Maxton Plains - Intrude cautiously on one of Michigan’s rare alvar grassland prairies to photograph unique plantlife habitat…look for surface-exposed limestone bedrock that affords a cracked “parking lot” appearance, as plants and flowers grow up between the crevices. Owned in part by the Nature Conservancy…enjoyed by prairie flower naturalists…no mountain biking permitted due to fragile terrain.

Expectations
An island stay puts you in touch with friendly folk. Have questions... need directions... just ask. Island life is reminiscent of past quieter times. It matter not if your scheduled stay is booked a family resort, campground, bed & breakfast or a full-service lodge, accommodations will be clean, comfortable and in harmony with the island’s natural beauty.

Visiting Drummond Island...
Visitors to the Island can arrive by airplane, car or boat. There are several private marinas on the Island and Harbor Island, with its natural harbor, is a haven for sailing enthusiasts.

Ferry Service -
For those arriving by car, a one mile crossing of the St. Mary’s River via the Drummond Island ferry can afford a view of freighter traffic. Although there is a ferry schedule, in times of heavy traffic, the ferry simply continues to run back and forth. Two ferries are sometimes used during this time. The car ferry can accommodate large loads, up to and including modular homes. The round trip faire is payable on the DeTour side and is collected by the ferry crew. In winter (January 2 through March 31) the ferry does not run from late night until early morning.

Airport Service -
Airplanes can land at the Drummond Island Airport. There is a 4,000 foot lighted runway with instrument approach.

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