North Canal Township Park is a 146-acre waterfront park on the shores of Lake Superior near Houghton, Michigan. Home to the popular Houghton Breakers Beach, it’s a favorite local spot for swimming, kayaking, bonfires, and stargazing.
Houghton Breakers Beach
Houghton Breakers is the star attraction at North Canal Township Park. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches near Houghton, MI and the closest place to go for a swim in Lake Superior.
The beach is split into two sections — inside and outside the breakwall. Though they’re separated by about 20 feet, the water conditions are often noticeably different on each side. (see photo above)
The beach inside the breakwall borders the North Entry of the Portage Canal. Since it’s protected by the long rock wall, the water is often calmer. Depending on the movement of the sand, the lake can get deep very quickly; keep an eye on kids and weak swimmers.
Outside the breakwall, the beach faces the open water of Lake Superior. This is where all the action happens — the waves are often much bigger on this side. The park offers a few established campfire rings, and you’ll often see people cooking Vollwerth’s hot dogs or relaxing by the fire on cool evenings.
Sunsets and Northern Lights at North Canal Township Park
Swimming isn’t the only activity at Houghton Breakers. The beach faces the northwest, so it’s the perfect spot to view the spectacular sunsets over Lake Superior. On clear nights, stick around to see the stars twinkling above.
When the Northern Lights are out in the Keweenaw, North Canal Township Park fills up quickly — even if it’s the middle of the night in the dead of winter. Since the park is out of town overlooking the lake, it’s usually free of light pollution.
Spring, Fall, and Winter at Breakers Beach in Houghton, MI
Breakers Beach is worth visiting during each of the Keweenaw’s distinct seasons. In the spring and fall, it’s a great place to watch the enormous waves crash over the breakwall. (You’ll understand what Gordon Lightfoot meant when he wrote about the “gales of November.”)
In the winter, the park and the beach are perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
About North Canal Township Park
North Canal Township Park stretches for 146 acres along Lake Superior and the Portage Canal. It’s managed by Stanton Township; the township’s caretakers do a beautiful job keeping the park clean and the grass mowed. There’s ample parking, both by the beach and at the hilltop picnic area.
Amenities at the park include:
- Trash cans
- Picnic shelter
- Pit toilets
- Designated campfire rings
The township allows fires, but only if you keep them in the campfire rings on Houghton Breakers Beach. Make sure to bring your own firewood. Or, carry some cash — as you drive out to the park on Houghton Canal Road, you’ll see a few self-service firewood stations along the way. Bundles cost about $5; you can drop the money in the box.
Is Camping Allowed at North Canal Township Park?
As of 2023, camping is not allowed in North Canal Township Park. Stanton Township closed the park campground and eliminated electrical service a number of years back. In 2020, township officials put up large “no camping” signs to deter illegal camping.1
How to Get to North Canal Township Park
North Canal Township Park is located about 11 miles from downtown Houghton. The route is paved except for the last 0.5 miles.
Directions to North Canal Township Park
- Take M-26/Memorial Drive. west out of downtown Houghton
- Turn right on the Houghton Canal Road
- Drive for 10.4 miles
- Turn left on the unmarked dirt road at GPS coordinates 47.224769, -88.627722. (There are two dirt roads; take the first one.)
- Drive 0.5 miles to reach the park
When you enter the park, you’ll find the picnic area and pit toilet in a grassy area overlooking the water. To get to Houghton Breakers Beach, drive down the hill to the parking area.
History of North Canal Township Park
When you’re walking along Houghton Breakers Beach, you might notice that there’s something different about the sand. That’s because it’s stamp sand — tiny pieces of crushed rock. This type of sand was a byproduct of the stamp mills that processed copper ore during the Keweenaw’s copper-mining boom in the 1800s.
Stamp mills at Freda and downstream of the Redridge Steel Dam poured these sands into Lake Superior.2 The currents and waves transported them along the shore.
The trouble is, the stamp sand often contained toxic metals. To make the area safe for people and wildlife, the EPA conducted massive remediation efforts starting in the 1980s. Thanks to the Torch Lake Superfund Site projects, you can safely enjoy the beach today.3
North Entry Breakwater
The enormous North Entry breakwater is visible from every spot in North Canal Township Park. Measuring 1800 feet it length, it’s made from enormous rocks. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the wall — and its 1600-foot counterpart on the opposite side of the canal in McLain State Park — when they widened the Portage Canal in 1935
Sources
1. “Monthly Meeting Minutes.” Stanton Township Board, 3 June 2020.
2. “Freda Sands.” Keweenaw Geoheritage, Michigan Tech Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences. Accessed 19 July 2023.
3. “Superfund Site: Torch Lake, Houghton County, MI.” United States Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed 19 July 2023.
4. “Keweenaw Waterway, MI.”US Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District Website. Accessed 19 July 2023.