The Gardener’s Creek Nature Trail is located in the Gardener’s Creek Nature Area, which is also home to a small waterfall. This piece of land is also called the CLK School Forest — local teachers and students use it to learn about sustainable forest management in partnership with the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI).
While you’re visiting the nature area, check out Gardener’s Creek Falls.
Gardener’s Creek Nature Trail
The Gardener’s Creek Nature Trail isn’t just one trail — it’s a small network of trails marked with interpretive signs. The main trail, noted in orange dots in the trail map above, is 0.6 miles long. In total, there are 1.15 miles of trails.
All of the hiking trails at Gardener’s Creek Nature Area are kid-friendly and accessible year-round. The main trail has quite a few low areas, so it tends to be wet and muddy until late spring.
How to get to the Gardener’s Creek Nature Area
The nature area and hiking trails are located about 4.5 miles from Calumet and 14.5 miles from Houghton. You’ll find plenty of parking and pit toilets at Calumet Waterworks Park across the street.
Directions to Gardener’s Creek Nature Trail
- Take M-203 west out of Calumet
- Turn right on Calumet Water Works Road
- Drive 2.5 miles until you reach Calumet Waterworks Park
You can leave your car at Waterworks Park; there are also small parking areas at the waterfall trailhead and the trailhead on Calumet Water Works Road. (see map above).