Negwegon State Park (Ossineke, 989/724-5126, state park vehicle permit required) is the carefully guarded secret of a number of outdoor lovers. What exactly are they hiding? Some of the most beautiful and most isolated beaches on Lake Huron. The 2,469-acre park’s shoreline stretches for more than six miles, a lovely string of bays and coves.

Named after Chippewa chief Negwegon, the park also offers three hiking trails named after Native American tribes: the Algonquin, Chippewa, and Potawatomi. The 10 miles of trails skirt the shoreline and loop through a heavily wooded interior. A serene retreat, this isolated park offers natural beauty to hikers and backpackers willing to trade conveniences for quiet, contemplative walks along eight miles of Lake Huron shoreline. Note: There are no camping or picnic facilities here.

Between Negwegon State Park and the considerably smaller Harrisville State Park (248 State Park Rd., Harrisville, 989/724-5126, state park vehicle permit required) is one of several lighthouses along the Lake Huron shore. The gleaming white Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, built in 1869, is still active today—as both a lighthouse and a maritime museum (daily Memorial Day–mid-Sept.). The grounds are open to the public year-round.