In Traverse Northern Michigan magazine we took you inside 8 great under-the-radar adventure towns to consider calling home. With one of the wildest housing markets in recent memory, hear from local real estate experts on where buyers can still find relative affordability and a stellar home base for outdoor adventures. Explore Cheboygan below, or check out all 8 towns when you order a copy of our May issue.
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Cheboygan is a water-lover’s delight, perched along the Straits of Mackinac at the confluence of the Cheboygan River and Lake Huron. It marks the eastern gateway to the Inland Waterway, a water trail that stretches 40 miles, joining seven state parks, 20 nature preserves, three rivers, three lakes and countless tiny towns near the tip of the mitt.
Explore Cheboygan’s Great Outdoors
Cheboygan has 42 miles of Inland Waterway. You can boat from Cheboygan River into Mullett Lake, Indian River, Burt Lake, Crooked River and Crooked Lake going one way … then Cheboygan River and into Lake Huron and beyond in the other. Black Mountain Recreation Area offers 70-plus miles of groomed trails for hiking, ATVing, cross-country skiing, snowmo- biling and horseback riding. You can also snowmobile, hike and bike the North Eastern State Trail for about 70 miles from Cheboygan to Alpena.
In your garage: Fishing equipment from KatFisher Bait & Tackle on N. Straits Highway in Cheboygan. They’ll keep you in live bait all year and host a Mullett Lake Ice Fishing Tournament in February.
Head to Downtown Cheboygan
The Nauti Inn Barstro is accessible by road or river; the Hack-Ma-Tack Inn is an iconic landmark at the mouth of Mullett Lake; and the Pier M33 Restaurant and Marina on the Cheboygan River is the perfect place to tuck into a Dock Burger (Wagyu beef patty with Swiss, Castelvetrano olives and truffle aioli) after a day on the boat.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Cheboygan Real Estate Real Talk
Missy Koszegi | Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, Cheboygan | Missy’s Website
Median Home Price in Town: $168,000
What’s Next for Cheboygan: “People are just starting to discover Cheboygan. For several decades, Cheboygan had many challenges which caused general socio-economic decline and held property values in check. The last six years we have seen a remarkable turnaround! Our downtown is beginning to thrive with several new shopping and dining establishments. Places like Libby’s
Downtown Restaurant, Step Inn Mexican Restaurant, Beau est Beau (handcrafted cocktails and mocktails) and The Hive North (a mead and cider mill) all represent growth in our area.”
Who’s Buying: “Young people with families who may have graduated from Cheboygan Area Schools, but left to find work, are coming back. Many can work remotely and they loved their hometown. It’s friendly and safe, and that’s the environment they want to raise their family in.”
Why Live Here: “Cheboygan is a community on the rebound with energy, vision and momentum. An infusion of new investment from creative entrepreneurs, the Michigan Mainstreet program and infrastructure upgrades have teamed with long-time champions of the community to create a fresh future.
Meet Your Dream Cheboygan Home
7134 Village Ln., Mullet Lake, 2,742 sq. ft. | $399,000
This quiet little getaway retreat in the heart of the Mullett Lake Village has North Central State Trail just out the front door and Mullett Lake access just a short walk away. The home features an open-concept kitchen, an extra-large living room with a wood-burning fireplace and a heated pole barn for your RV, extra storage or workshop.
500 Needle Point Dr., Cheboygan, 2,934 sq. ft. | $3,800,000
Nestled at the end of Needle Point on Mullett Lake, this home has vast waterfront footage, acreage all around and your very own island. Four bedrooms, three baths, plus a bonus 400-square foot guest house for family and friends who inevitably will want to come and stay awhile.
