Eight miles up a rocky road west of Michigamme sits a 374-acre lake with six islands, high granite bluffs on its northern shore and a name borrowed from a brewer’s son. Craig Lake is the largest of the lakes in the park that carries its name. The Michigan DNR calls Craig Lake State Park “the most remote in Michigan’s state park system,” spanning more than 9,700 acres in Baraga and Marquette counties.
The man who named it built a lodge and a caretaker’s residence out here, then died in a plane crash in December 1954. His cabins are still in use. The DNR rents both of them, and reaching either one takes a 2-mile hike.
The Brewer Behind the Names
Craig Lake and Teddy Lake were named for two of Frederick Miller’s boys, and Clair Lake for his daughter, per a 2019 story in The Daily News of Iron Mountain. That Miller was Frederick C. Miller, a former All-American tackle at Notre Dame and a grandson of the Miller Brewing Company’s founder. Wikipedia’s page on the founder credits him with the land, but he died in 1888. The grandson and his son Fred Jr. were killed when their plane crashed on takeoff in Wisconsin on Dec. 17, 1954. He also ran the company: the park’s Wikipedia entry calls the land the former private preserve of Frederick Miller, president of the Miller Brewing Company.
The family had built a lodge, a caretaker’s residence and several outbuildings. Through purchases and land exchanges beginning in 1956, the state acquired more than 2,300 acres. A lake just northwest of the park, in keeping with the Miller beer theme, is named High Life Lake.
Six Lakes and One Motor
Keewaydin Lake is the only lake in the park that allows motorized boating. Several of its six lakes can be reached only on foot or by paddle. Deer, bears, beavers and loons live here, along with what the DNR calls “the elusive moose that spend their spring, summer and fall seasons within the park.” The main trail makes an eight-mile loop around Craig Lake, and the North Country National Scenic Trail runs for more than 7 miles through the park.
Where You Sleep
The Old Miller cabins are the headliners. The Lodge at Craig Lake sleeps 12 and has a stone fireplace, while the Caretaker’s Cabin sleeps eight, and both sit 2 miles in along the Main Trail. Two yurts cover the rest of the roofed options: a 20-foot, ADA-accessible yurt on Keewaydin Lake that sleeps six, and a 16-foot yurt on Teddy Lake that sleeps four.
Everyone else carries a tent. The park has 22 designated backcountry campsites, all reservation-only since the 2023 season, and the hikes to them run from .2 miles to 6 to 7 miles. Remote is relative, though. The park saw just shy of 69,000 visitors in 2021.
Remote gets more literal in winter. The DNR says the roads in go unmaintained and impassable to vehicles in the snow season, typically Nov. 1 to May 15, and the Keewaydin yurt then sits 4.8 miles one way from the closest plowed lot, reachable only by hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling.
Sources: Michigan Department of Natural Resources park page for Craig Lake State Park and its park map; DNR news release on reservation-only backcountry campsites (Aug. 1, 2022); DNR state park general rules and Recreation Passport pages; DNR yurt bulletin (Aug. 13, 2012); John Pepin, “Craig Lake: Upper Peninsula gem is state’s most remote state park,” The Daily News of Iron Mountain (April 5, 2019); Wikipedia entries for Craig Lake State Park, Frederick Miller and Fred Miller (American football, born 1906); Brookston Beer Bulletin, “Historic Beer Birthday: Frederick C. Miller”; Adam Levin, Shepherd Express (Aug. 13, 2021); Encyclopedia of Milwaukee, “Miller Brewing Company”; Awesome Mitten, “Michigan’s Most Remote State Park: Craig Lake State Park.”
Go See It
Craig Lake State Park, Michigamme
- Hours
- 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (Michigan state park day-use hours)
- Cost
- Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry: $15 Michigan residents at plate renewal; nonresidents $12 a day or $42 a year
- Season
- Roads are not maintained and are impassable to vehicles in the snow season, typically Nov. 1 to May 15
- Drive
- From Marquette: 1 hr 14 min (46.2 mi) via US-41 N
From the Bridge: 3 hr 55 min (209 mi) via US-2 W and M-28 W
More worth reading
Sources, credits, and reporting details
Sources & accountability
How this story was reported
Editorial methodAggregation
Last verifiedOct. 4, 2026
Corrections statusNo material correction note is recorded on this article.
AI assistanceResearched and drafted with AI tools. Reviewed and approved by editor Keegan O’Brien.
Verification note: Sources read and checked Sept. 26, 2026; drive times re-read Oct. 4, 2026.
Primary sources
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Most remote in Michigan's state park system; more than 9,700 acres in Baraga and Marquette counties
"Craig Lake State Park is the most remote in Michigan's state park system, spanning more than 9,700 acres in Baraga and Marquette counties."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Craig Lake is 374 acres with six islands and high granite bluffs on its northern shoreline
"Craig Lake is 374 acres and features six islands and high granite bluffs along its northern shoreline."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Eight miles up Craig Lake Road, one mile west of Michigamme
"The park is located one mile west of Michigamme. Follow signs on Craig Lake Road for 8 miles."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Rocky road; high-clearance 4WD strongly recommended
"Vehicles with high-ground clearance and four-wheel drive are strongly recommended due to the rocky conditions of the road."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: The DNR rents both historic cabins; reaching them takes a 2-mile hike along the Main Trail
"These historic cabins – often referred to as the Old Miller cabins – require a 2-mile hike along the Main Trail."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: High Life Lake is just northwest of the park, in keeping with the Miller theme
"In keeping with the Miller theme, a nearby lake located northwest of the park is named High Life Lake."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Keewaydin Lake is the only lake in the park that allows motorized boating
"Keewaydin Lake (the only lake in the park that allows motorized boating)"
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: The park holds six lakes
"The park boasts six lakes, three named after Miller Brewing Company heirs."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Wildlife: deer, bears, beavers, loons and moose
"Numerous smaller ponds and wildlife like deer, bears, beavers, loons, and moose call it home."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: DNR quote on moose
"Visitors may be lucky enough to see the elusive moose that spend their spring, summer and fall seasons within the park."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Lodge at Craig Lake sleeps 12
"Lodge at Craig Lake: accommodates 12 people"
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Lodge has a stone fireplace
"This cabin features a stone fireplace and woodstove that has a cooktop."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Caretaker's Cabin sleeps eight
"Caretaker's Cabin at Craig Lake: accommodates eight people"
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Keewaydin Lake yurt: 20-foot, ADA accessible, sleeps six
"The 20-foot-diameter, ADA accessible, yurt sleeps six people and is outfitted with two bunk beds, an armoire, tables and chairs and a woodstove."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Teddy Lake yurt: 16-foot, sleeps four
"The 16-foot-diameter yurt sleeps four people and is outfitted with bunk beds, mattresses and a wood stove."
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DNR to make Craig Lake State Park backcountry campsites reservation-only — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Published Aug. 1, 2022. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: 22 backcountry campsites, reservation-only since the 2023 season
"All 22 designated backcountry campsites within Craig Lake State Park will transition to reservation-only sites beginning with the 2023 camping season."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Campsite hikes run from .2 miles to 6 to 7 miles
"The shortest hike to a reservation-only campsite is .2 miles, and the longest hike is 6-7 miles."
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DNR to make Craig Lake State Park backcountry campsites reservation-only — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Published Aug. 1, 2022. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Just shy of 69,000 visitors in 2021
"Annual visitation for Craig Lake State Park has continued to climb the last few years seeing just shy of 69,000 visitors in 2021."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
"46.539928, -88.135487"
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Craig Lake State Park map — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Where: US-41 is the highway serving the park (map label)
"US-41 & M-28"
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State parks – general rules — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Hours: day-use 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
"State parks and recreation area day-use hours are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Cost: Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry
"A Recreation Passport (park pass) is required for vehicle entry"
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Recreation Passport — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Cost: $15 resident at plate renewal (2026 price)
"Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the cost of the Recreation Passport increased by $1."
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Recreation Passport — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Cost: resident vehicle $15 at license plate renewal
"Vehicles $15"
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Recreation Passport — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Cost: nonresident annual $42
"Annual $42"
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Recreation Passport — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Cost: nonresident daily $12
"Daily $12 – good for entry and re-entry to any state park for the day."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Season: snow season Nov. 1 to May 15, roads not maintained and impassable
"The park's snow season typically takes place between Nov. 1-May 15. The roads are not maintained during this time and all roads into the park are impassable to vehicles."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Season: Keewaydin yurt 4.8 miles from closest plowed lot in winter
"The yurt is located 4.8 miles (one-way) from the closest plowed parking lot and is only accessible via hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Road: high-clearance 4WD strongly recommended
"Vehicles with high-ground clearance and four-wheel drive are strongly recommended due to the rocky conditions of the road."
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Craig Lake State Park — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Camping: check in and get camper pass at Van Riper State Park
"You must check-in for your campsite and obtain your camper pass at Van Riper State Park."
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Google Maps directions, Marquette to Craig Lake State Park — Google Maps
Accessed Oct. 4, 2026.
Supports: Drive time from Marquette
Fastest route read live Oct 4, 2026: 1 hr 14 min (46.2 mi) via US-41 N.
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Google Maps directions, Mackinac Bridge to Craig Lake State Park — Google Maps
Accessed Oct. 4, 2026.
Supports: Drive time from Mackinac Bridge
Fastest route read live Oct 4, 2026: 3 hr 55 min (209 mi) via US-2 W and M-28 W.
Additional reporting
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Craig Lake: Upper Peninsula gem is state's most remote state park — The Daily News (Iron Mountain)
Published Apr. 5, 2019. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
"Craig Lake, the largest of these lakes, and Teddy Lake were named for two of Miller's boys, while Clair Lake — known for its smallmouth bass waters — was named for his daughter."
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Craig Lake: Upper Peninsula gem is state's most remote state park — The Daily News (Iron Mountain)
Published Apr. 5, 2019. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: The family built a lodge, a caretaker's residence and several outbuildings
"They had also built a lodge, a caretaker's residence and several outbuildings there."
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Craig Lake: Upper Peninsula gem is state's most remote state park — The Daily News (Iron Mountain)
Published Apr. 5, 2019. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Miller died in a plane crash in December 1954 (Wisconsin), with his son Frederick Jr.
"He was 48 and his son, Frederick Jr., was 22, when they died in a plane crash in Wisconsin in December 1954."
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Craig Lake State Park — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
"Miller built cabins that are still in use and named three of the area's lakes after his children Teddy, Craig, and Claire."
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Craig Lake State Park — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
"The property was once the private preserve of Frederick Miller, president of the Miller Brewing Company."
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Craig Lake: Upper Peninsula gem is state's most remote state park — The Daily News (Iron Mountain)
Published Apr. 5, 2019. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: The Craig Lake Miller was a former All-American tackle for Notre Dame
"Miller, a famous beer brewer and former All-American tackle for Notre Dame, was among those who helped bring the old Boston Braves to Milwaukee."
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Fred Miller (American football, born 1906) — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
"Frederick C. Miller (January 26, 1906 – December 17, 1954) was a college football player, an All-American tackle under head coach Knute Rockne at the University of Notre Dame"
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Historic Beer Birthday: Frederick C. Miller — Brookston Beer Bulletin
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Frederick C. Miller was a grandson of the Miller Brewing Company founder
"the grandson of the founder of the Miller Brewing Company"
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Fred Miller (American football, born 1906) — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Grandson relationship: his mother was the founder's daughter
"a daughter of Miller Brewing Company founder Frederick Miller, also a German immigrant."
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Frederick Miller — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: CORRECTION: Wikipedia's page on the founder credits him with the Craig Lake land
"Frederick Miller once owned a tract of land in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that is now Craig Lake State Park."
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Frederick Miller — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: CORRECTION: the founder died in 1888
"Miller died of cancer in 1888 at age 63, and was buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee."
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Historic Beer Birthday: Frederick C. Miller — Brookston Beer Bulletin
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Frederick C. Miller and son Fred Jr. killed when the plane crashed on takeoff, Dec. 17, 1954
"Frederick C. died when his plane crashed on takeoff at what is now Mitchell International Airport on Dec. 17, 1954."
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Historic Beer Birthday: Frederick C. Miller — Brookston Beer Bulletin
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Son Fred Jr. killed in the same crash
"In 1954, he and his son, Fred Jr., were killed in an airplane crash."
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The Plane Crash that Changed the Future of Milwaukee Baseball and Miller Brewing Company — Shepherd Express
Published Aug. 13, 2021. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Corroborates crash date and that Frederick C. Miller was president of Miller Brewing
"Frederick C. Miller (age 48 and President of Miller Brewing), his son Fred Jr. (age 20) and Miller Company pilots, brothers Joseph and Paul Laird"
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Miller Brewing Company — Encyclopedia of Milwaukee (UW-Milwaukee)
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Corroborates Frederick C. Miller as company president and 1954 crash death with his son
"After the death of Frederick C. Miller and his son in a plane crash in 1954"
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Craig Lake: Upper Peninsula gem is state's most remote state park — The Daily News (Iron Mountain)
Published Apr. 5, 2019. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: State acquired more than 2,300 acres through purchases and land exchanges beginning in 1956
"Through a series of purchases and land exchanges beginning in 1956, the state acquired several key parcels within the park area totaling more than 2,300 acres."
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Craig Lake State Park — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Several lakes reachable only on foot or by paddle
"The state park has several lakes that are accessible only by foot or paddling."
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Craig Lake State Park — Wikipedia
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Eight-mile loop around Craig Lake
"The park's rugged hiking trails include an eight-mile (13 km) loop around Craig Lake and a seven-mile (11 km) stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail."
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Craig Lake: Upper Peninsula gem is state's most remote state park — The Daily News (Iron Mountain)
Published Apr. 5, 2019. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: North Country National Scenic Trail runs more than 7 miles through the park
"The National North Country Scenic Trail runs for more than 7 miles here too."
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New Craig Lake State Park yurt now available for campers — Michigan DNR (GovDelivery bulletin)
Published Aug. 13, 2012. Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: Keewaydin yurt location on Keewaydin Lake (corroborating)
"20-foot Keewaydin Lake yurt"
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Michigan's Most Remote State Park: Craig Lake State Park — Awesome Mitten
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
Supports: GO SEE IT Where: entrance off US-41, one mile west of Michigamme via Craig Lake Road
"Craig Lake State Park's primary entrance is situated approximately 40 miles west of Marquette on US-41."
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Getaway to Craig Lake State Park — Down Wind Sports
Accessed Sep. 26, 2026.
"Two of Craig Lake State Park's cabins were originally Miller family cabins."
Photo and media credits
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Craig Lake (media 3933, featured) — Flickr / Seclusive Nature
Featured image record. Accessed Sep. 30, 2026. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: Image credit and licence.
Flickr photo page read Sep 30: CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence link on the page). Placement: Flickr title "Craig Lake"; description: "In Craig Lake State Park." Uploaded at 1600×1200 (original 4032×3024). Date taken not recorded..
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Craig Lake State Park (media 3934) — Flickr / Seclusive Nature
Accessed Sep. 30, 2026. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: Image credit and licence.
Flickr photo page read Sep 30: CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence link on the page). Placement: Flickr title "Craig Lake State Park"; description: "The most remote state park in Michigan…" Uploaded at 1600×1246 (original 3486×2714). Date taken not recorded..
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Keewaydin Lake (media 3935) — Flickr / Seclusive Nature
Accessed Sep. 30, 2026. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: Image credit and licence.
Flickr photo page read Sep 30: CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence link on the page). Placement: Flickr title "Keewaydin Lake"; description: "One of the lakes in Craig Lake State Park." Uploaded at 1600×1200 (original 4032×3024). Date taken not recorded..