Nara Nature Park occupies over 100 acres of wetlands, waterfront, and forest in Houghton, MI. Visit any time — the park is free and open year-round for hiking, biking, skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing.
Things to Do at Nara Nature Park
Some of the things you can do at Nara Nature Park are:
- Hike, run, or bike 2.45 miles of trails and boardwalks
- Fish in the Pilgrim River
- Pick thimbleberries by the Nara chalet
- See the Keweenaw’s legendary fall colors
- Go sledding, skiing, or snowshoeing on the Nara Trails
In the winter, Nara Nature Park is a convenient place to see the Northern Lights. Bring winter boots or snowshoes, and you can walk out onto the boardwalks.
Once upon a time, you could launch canoes and kayaks on the Pilgrim River. Now, however, the hillsides are covered with large rocks that make this process next to impossible.
Trails at Nara Nature Park
Nara Nature Park is one of the most popular places for hiking near Houghton, MI. Choose from a selection of easy and challenging trails; each one is short, so you can go for a quick stroll or combine routes for a longer hike. Dogs are welcome as long as you keep them leashed.
1. Peepsock Trail
The beautiful Peepsock Trail starts from the Houghton Waterfront Trail, 0.2 miles west of the lower Nara parking area. It travels over a picturesque wooden bridge and through a stand of trees before emerging onto an open, grassy area next to Portage Lake. The entire route is 0.75 miles. The trail is a mix of dirt and gravel — it’s a popular spot for running, biking, and walking dogs.
There’s always something lovely to see on the Peepsock Trail. In the spring, violets blanket the forest floor. Summer brings wild strawberries; look for them on the left side of the path as you’re heading toward the lake. Fall turns the grasses and trees to a rich shade of gold (see photo above), and in the winter, a constant layer of snow creates the perfect conditions for snowshoeing.
2. Nara Boardwalks
There are two boardwalks that travel through the wetlands that border Portage Lake. The north boardwalk, called the Nara Nature Trail, is 0.4 miles long. The south boardwalk — the Nara River Boardwalk — is 0.3 miles long. Viewing platforms along the way create space to relax, watch wildlife, or fish in the Pilgrim River.
The original boardwalks were destroyed by the 2018 Father’s Day Flood. They were rebuilt in 2020 to meet modern accessibility standards.
3. Nara Trails
If you’re searching for a forest hike, head across US-41 to the Nara Chalet and Interpretive Center. This section of the park features two trails: the River Loop and the Nara Loop. Both trails are about 0.5 miles long, for a total distance of 1 mile.
Don’t stop there — the Nara Trails connect to the larger Michigan Tech Trails network, which features an additional 34.5 miles of maintained paths. If you use the Tech Trails, it requires a trail pass.
While all the trails at Nara Nature Park are open to foot traffic and bikers, they’re more common on this section. Watch out for fast-moving mountain bikes, especially when you’re coming to a hill or a corner on the singletrack.
Nara Chalet and Interpretive Center
The chalet and interpretive center is one of the most unique features of Nara Nature Park. It’s clean, heated, and open to the public, so it’s a great spot to warm up after sledding or cross-country skiing. The chalet has bathrooms and coin-operated showers.
Other features include:
- Lockers
- Drinking fountain
- Trash can
If you’re interested in nature or the history of the park, pop into the chalet to check out the interpretive signs that line the walls.
Sledding at Nara Nature Park
Nara Nature Park is one of the best places for sledding in Houghton, MI. The sled hill is tall enough to get some speed, but not so much that it’s impossible to climb back up. You can even go sledding after dark — solar-powered lights illuminate the hill at night.
To get to the Nara sled hill, park near the chalet and walk over to the gate that marks the start of the Tech Trails. You’ll see three main trails; take the center one. There is a “Sled Hill” sign on the left, but it’s hidden in the trees until you’re on the trail itself. Walk 0.15 miles on this trail to find the hill. Just before the hill, you’ll come to an intersection with a sign for Lookout Loop. Keep walking straight ahead, and the sledding spot will be on your left.
How to Get to Nara Nature Park
Nara Nature Park is located about 3 miles southeast of Houghton, Michigan. You can drive there or walk in on the Tech Trails or the Houghton Waterfront Trail.
Directions to Nara Nature Park
- From downtown Houghton, head east on College Avenue/US-41
- Drive for 3 miles, and turn left into the gravel parking lot on your left
Take care when you’re turning left; oncoming traffic comes around the corner at high speeds.
Where to Park at Nara Nature Park
There are two places to park. If you’re planning to walk on the boardwalks or the Peepsock Trail, park in the gravel parking lot on the north side of the highway. It’s on the left as you’re heading away from Houghton. (GPS coordinates: 47.103747, -88.516995) There’s a sign that says “Nara Nature Trail Wetland Boardwalk Waterfront Trailhead,” but it can be hard to see.
If you’re going sledding or hiking the Nara Trails, turn right off the highway and drive up the hill to the Nara Chalet and Interpretive Center. It’s located at 501 Nara Loop, Houghton, MI 49931. If you see the large green Nara Nature Park sign on the right, you’ve gone too far.
History of Nara Nature Park
Nara Nature Park was once private land owned by local veterinarian, Dr. John Nara. He opened an animal hospital on the site in 1955. Later, Bob and Ruth Nara donated the land to the City of Houghton; they also helped purchase additional land to connect the park to the Tech Trails.
Things to Do Nearby
If you’re looking to do a long, flat, park in the lower parking lot and hop on the Houghton Waterfront Trail. Head back toward Houghton on the paved trail, and you’ll come across Prince’s Point and East Houghton Waterfront Park. Turn toward Chassell, and you can follow the dirt trail all the way to Chassell Beach — one of the family-friendly beaches near Houghton, MI.
Want another hike? Check out the Pilgrim Community Forest or the Boundary Road Trails (a personal favorite).