Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

About Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a marine protected area dedicated to maintaining the Great Lakes and its rich history. The cold, fresh water of Lake Huron has preserved a nationally significant collection of nearly 200 historic shipwrecks in and around the sanctuary. These shipwreck sites can be visited by participating in activities such as diving, snorkeling, and paddling. Through research, education, and community involvement, the sanctuary works to ensure that future generations will continue to experience and enjoy Thunder Bay’s irreplaceable underwater treasures. To learn more about this sanctuary, visitors should stop by the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

How to Get There

Located off the northeast coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary encompasses 4,300 square-miles of northwest Lake Huron. The landward boundary of the sanctuary is marked from south of the city of Cheboygan to north of the city of Oscoda. The sanctuary extends east from the lakeshore to the United States/Canadian border.

Plan Your Visit to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Heading to Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• Park map (PDF)
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)