Cheboygan County is a collection of great communities and great people located at the tip of Michigan’s mitten.

Cheboygan County has a total land area of 715.6 square miles. The county is comprised of 19 townships, one incorporated city (Cheboygan), and two incorporated Villages (Wolverine and Mackinaw City).

As with all of the United States, Cheboygan County was originally the homeland for Native Americans. The area that is now the city of Cheboygan was originally an Ojibwe settlement. In the early 1600’s, the French explored the area and established a profitable fur business and missions. In the mid 1700’s, both the British and French courted the friendship of the Native Americans. Control of the Michigan territory was in a state of flux between the three nations for about 100 years until the end of the Revolutionary War and the birth of our country. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 formed the region between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and the Great Lakes into the first organized territory. However,, there was little land development due to insufficient land surveys, disputes with the native population, and unstable governments.

In 1828, the area that is now Cheboygan County was part of Michilimackinac County. It was transferred to Mackinac County in 1840. In 1856, Cheboygan County was vastly enlarged to include most of Northeast Michigan. At one time, Cheboygan County was divided into the two counties of Cheboygan and Wyandot. From 1860 to the present, Cheboygan County’s boundaries have remained essentially the same. Cheboygan County’s economy relied heavily on the railroad, lumber, fishing, and tanning industries up until the early 1900’s.

Today, Cheboygan County – “Michigan’s Shoreline County” – with over 190 miles of water access along the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron, and the Inland Waterway through Mullett and Burt Lakes is home to some of Michigan’s most visited tourist destinations and recreational assets. It’s also home to agricultural, health care, paper products, marine contracting, steel fabrication, and hundreds of additional small businesses.

Within Cheboygan County, we have great communities that provide:

  • Great places to live and work!
  • Great places to shop and dine!
  • Great lodging establishments!
  • State Parks, lighthouses, and dozens of historical attractions!
  • Year-round festivals and special events.
  • Cultural attractions such as the Cheboygan Opera House, community concerts, and art displays!
  • Great boating, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities!
  • Over 290 miles of recreational trails for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and motorcycling!
  • Great fishing opportunities!
  • The most pristine and expansive forest recreation in Northern Michigan. Black Mountain Forest Recreation Area and the Pigeon River Country State Forest Area have something for everyone- hunting, fishing, camping, biking, cross country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling!

Cheboygan County is not only a great place to visit, it is a great place to live and do business!  Come join us!