Les Cheneaux Islands Information & Overview
Les Cheneaux Islands are located along 12 miles of the Lake Huron shoreline on the southeaster tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The name is French, meaning, "the Channels," after the the many channels between the islands. Nearby are the communities of Hessel and Cedarville which offer offer marinas, camping, lodging, restaurants, and shopping.
Les Cheneaux Islands - List of Island Names
There are 36 small islands (some inhabited) that comprise the Les Cheneaux Islands. They are named:
- Bear Island
- Birch Island
- Boot Island
- Coryell Island
- Crow Island
- Dollar Island
- Echo Island
- Goat Island
- Goose Island
- Government Island (federally owned, administered through Hiawatha National Forest, primitive campground)
- Gravelly Island
- Haven Island (known for the occupants consumption of Dixie Chili)
- Hill Island (connected by causeway and bridge with the mainland)
- Island No. 8 (connected by bridge with the mainland via Hill Island)
- La Salle Island
- Little La Salle Island
- Lone Susan Island
- Long Island
- Marquette Island (the largest of all 36 islands)
- Penny Island
- Rover Island
- St. Ledger Island
- Strongs Island
Les Cheneaux Islands - List of Bays, Harbors and Inland Lakes
The chain of Les Cheneaux Islands forms many bays, harbors, and inland lakes, including:
- Bass Cove Lake
- Bush Bay
- Cedarville Bay
- Duck Bay
- Flower Bay
- Government Bay
- Marquette Bay
- McKay Bay
- Mismer Bay
- Muscallonge Bay
- Peck Bay
- Prentiss Bay
- Sand Bay
- Scammons Harbor
- Sheppard Bay
- Urie Bay
- Voight Bay
- Wilderness Bay
Les Cheneaux Islands - Entrances from Lake Huron
To access the Les Cheneaux Islands, you can use any of the four major entrances from Lake Huron:
- East Entrance (Between Boot Island and Strongs Island)
- Middle Entrance (Between Marquette Island and Little La Salle Island)
- West Entrance (between Point Brulee and Marquette Island, main entrance to Hessel)
- "Yacht Entrance" (unnamed on official charts, but typically called the "Yacht entrance" for the many yachts that access Government Bay for overnight anchorage.)
Les Cheneaux Islands - Ensign Class: Fleet 31
The Les Cheneaux Islands are home to Fleet 31 of the Ensign Class Association. The Ensign sailboat is the largest class of full keel boats in North America, designed by Carl Alberg and built by Pearson Yachts of Portsmuth, Rhode Island. Fleet #31 of the Les Cheneaux Islands is the largest fleet of ensigns worldwide, Fleet 31 hosted the 2008 Ensign Class Region V Championships on July 10-12, 2008. Fleet 31 was selected by the Ensign Class Association to host the National Ensign Regatta in 2010.
Plan your visit to the Les Cheneaux Islands area with information, reviews and comments by using the links below:
Les Cheneaux Islands Area Information:
- Les Cheneaux Islands Area Accommodations & Lodging
- Les Cheneaux Islands Area Attractions & Activities
- Les Cheneaux Islands Area History
- Les Cheneaux Islands Area Restaurants
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