Din Egen Woods is a 5-acre property located close to Hancock. With its short hiking trail and adorable cabin, it’s the perfect spot for a quick hike any time of year.
Hiking at Din Egen Woods
When you park at the trailhead for Din Egen Woods, you’ll see a little wooden sign on a tree. The hiking trail is located just to the right of the sign. It can be hard to see the path, especially in the spring — if you’re struggling, keep an eye out for the faint blue blazes on the trees.
The entire route is about 0.36 miles long from the parking lot to the edge of the forest. The path travels past a small stream and a cabin (see below). When you reach the cabin, the blue blazes disappear — to find the trail again, you have to cross the stream on the little wooden bridge in front of the cabin. (Be prepared: it’ll be a little awkward if someone is staying there.)
Once you get to the edge of the forest, there are no signs telling you how to get to the waterfront area on Portage Lake. (In comparison to the KLT’s other properties, this one feels a little unloved.) Here’s the trick: follow the metal posts in the ground. As you can see in the photo below, they run very close to someone’s backyard.
While the waterfront is open for public use, it’s mostly used by people who are paddling the Keweenaw Water Trail. If you’re paddling in, you’ll find a small boat landing area for kayaks and canoes.
Cabin Rental
The cabin is the most charming part of Din Egen Woods — the weathered wood exterior blends into the natural surroundings, so it’s a delightful surprise. The cabin is available for rent for $50 per night, so you can come for a quiet overnight adventure. The interior is simple and rustic, but it has everything you need for a short stay. There’s even a small outhouse.
If you’re staying in the cabin on a paddling trip of the Keweenaw Water Trail, keep in mind that it’s a 0.25 hike from the lake. The cabin doesn’t have electricity or running water, but you’ll find a camp stove and a propane heater. Contact the Keweenaw Land Trust for rental information. Plan to bring bedding, propane, drinking water, toilet paper, and a cooler for food.
How to Get to Din Egen Woods
Din Egen Woods is located 7 miles from Hancock, Michigan, close to the small community of Dollar Bay. If you’re using Google Maps, ignore the existing marker — it’ll bring you to a private road. Instead, use the map below to get to the parking area.
Directions to Din Egen Woods
- From Hancock, drive east on highway M-26
- Turn right onto Main Street in Dollar Bay (immediately after Quincy’s Restaurant)
- After 0.4 miles, turn left onto Ave. H
- Drive 0.4 miles
- Turn right on Lower Point Mills Road, and drive for 2.2 miles
The parking area is on the right just after you pass Sportsman Drive; it’s a small gravel pad that fits about two vehicles.
Things to Do Nearby
If you’re in the mood for a longer hike, Din Egen Woods is just down the street from the trails at Steve Farm Nature Area; it’s one of our favorite spots for hiking near Hancock, MI. Need to cool off? Drive a couple of miles to Sandy Bottom beach.