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The Cross In The Woods

Indian River, Michigan is home to The Cross In The Woods, a local landmark since 1954. The 55 foot high crucifix was made of a single redwood tree. The 7 ton bronze sculpture of Christ was created by Marshall M. Fredericks and added to the cross in 1959. The sculpture measures an impressive 22 feet wide and 31 feet high. 

Visitors of all faiths are welcome!

The Cross In The Woods Shrine is located at 7078 M-68 in Indian River (exit 310 off of I-75).

For more information, visit the official Cross In The Woods website

Cheboygan Dam and Lock: On the Cheboygan River, visit working boat lock, “Why travel to the Soo?”  The only outlet of the Inland Waterway, the dam maintains the water levels on Mullet Lake and provides flood-water relief for Inland Waterway, built in 1867 and rebuilt in 1927, very promising fishing in the flood pool beneath the dam, 7,000 boats pass annually through dam, the lock can accommodate vessels up to 60 feet long.  Open mid April  to mid October.  Located at M-27 and the Lincoln Street Bridge.

Oden Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center:  The hatchery produces trout and salmon, up to 1 million annually, it includes an expansive interpretive area to showcase Michigan’s world-class trout streams and state fisheries management, tour a re-creation of the original Wolverine train-car once used to transport fish, a one-mile river side nature trail serves as a scale model of a Great Lake Watershed, daily guided hatchery tours are available, open through labor Day, call 231-348-0998, on US-23 south of Alanson, north of Oden on the west side of Crooked Lake.

Black Mountain Forest Recreation Area:  Offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreationist such as hunting, fishing, camping, 80 miles of groomed trails for hiking, horseback and snowmobile riding, 30 miles of groomed pathways for cross country skiing. Contains a portion of the 38 mile “Black Lake ORV/ATV Trail,” see www.michigandnr.com for maps and more information.  The Rec. Area is located on the east side of Black Lake.  Maps can be obtained at the Indian River Tourist Center.

Pigeon River Country State Forest: 98,000 acre state Forest has seven camp grounds, three major trout streams, several lakes and wetland areas, most noted for 1000 strong elk herd, several viewing areas are available, area also home to eagles, pine martin, bobcat, bear, and more, 60 miles of hiking trails including the ‘High Country Pathway,’ which contains 35 marked points of interest. Off M-68, south onto Montgomery or Osmund Roads.  Maps can be obtained at the Indian River Tourist Center.  

Agnes Andrea Nature Preserve: 27 acre site with frontage on the Lower Pigeon River, a natural wildlife preserve, a foot bridge connects the East and West sides, enjoy wild flowers, high bluffs and low conifer swampland, a cabin with an outside privy is available for overnight use with permission. Take Onaway Rd. to Riverwood Rd. turn east, then follow the preserve signs.  This is part of the Little Traverse Conservancy -Northern Michigan’s Land Trust, contact them for more information at 231-347-0991, www.landtrust.co

Seven Springs Nature Preserve: 50 acre site with frontage on SE side of Burt Lake, a trail begins at the parking lot at Chippewa Beach Rd.   Take Hwy 27 to Prospect Rd. (just north of the bridge) go west onto Chippewa Beach Rd. watch for preserve signs on the left (past the golf course). This is part of the Little Traverse Conservancy -Northern Michigan’s Land Trust, contact them for more information at 231-347-0991, www.landtrust.co

Colonial Point Memorial Forest: Home to a unique stands of old growth red oak and red pine.  The Native Americans, who used fire to suppress the undergrowth of beech and maple seedlings, extensively farmed the area.  It is adjacent to the Chaboiganing Nature Preserve.  Located on the west side of Burt Lake

Cooperation Park: The Park is a 60 acre multipurpose public recreational facility, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, skating rink, soccer fields, basketball court, horseshoe pits, hiking trails.  There is also a 200-400 foot enclosed play area for children, brand new 6,000 square foot play structure, additional play equipment, picnic tables and a walking track.  Located off Hwy. 27 at the south end of Indian River.

Ocqueoc Falls: Located on the Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway, hikers or skiers can take a 3-6.5 mile loop through beautiful countryside.  There are two falls, the lower is 300 feet from the upper-mail falls.  See one of only three known surviving examples of deck truss highway bridges in Michigan, built in 1937.  Reach by traveling east on M-68, past Onaway.  Follow the well-marked signs.

Golf: In addition to the Indian River Golf Course the other courses are Maple Ridge Club and Hidden River Golf and Casting club, both in Brutus; Cheboygan Golf and Country Club in Cheboygan; Mackinaw Club in Mackinaw City; Wildwood Lakes Golf Course in Wolverine; Black Lake (rated in top 10 of Michigan courses) in Onaway.