Les Cheneaux Islands facts for kids
Sunset from Marquette Island, May 2016
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 Les Cheneaux Islands
Location in Michigan
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lake Huron |
| Coordinates | 45°57′34″N 84°19′29″W / 45.95944°N 84.32472°W |
| Total islands | 37 |
| Administration | |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Mackinac County |
| Township | Clark Township |
The Les Cheneaux Islands are a group of 36 small islands located in Lake Huron. You can find them off the southeastern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The name "Les Cheneaux" is French for "the Channels." This name makes sense because there are many narrow waterways between the islands.
These islands are a popular spot for vacations and boating. They are about 30 miles northeast of Mackinac Island. The nearby towns of Hessel and Cedarville offer places to stay, eat, and shop. They also have marinas where boats can dock.
One of the biggest events here is the Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Boat Show & Festival of the Arts. It happens every August in Hessel. This show started in 1976 and is now the world's largest show for old wooden boats.
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Exploring the Islands
The Les Cheneaux Islands area is made up of many different islands. Some of them are lived on, while others are wild and natural. The largest island is Marquette Island. Another interesting one is Government Island, which is owned by the government. It's part of the Hiawatha National Forest and has a simple campground.
Some of the islands are connected to the mainland by bridges or causeways. This makes it easier to explore them. The islands create many calm bays and harbors, perfect for boating.
Island Names to Know
Here are a few of the islands you might hear about:
- Alligator Island
- Boot Island
- Coryell Island
- Goose Island
- Hill Island (connected to the mainland)
- Marquette Island (the largest island)
- St. Ledger Island
Beautiful Bays and Harbors
The way the islands are shaped creates many sheltered water areas. These are great for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Some of these peaceful spots include:
- Bass Cove Lake
- Cedarville Bay
- Government Bay
- Mackinac Bay
- Scammons Harbor
Getting to the Islands
There are four main ways to enter the island area from Lake Huron. These are like watery highways for boats:
- East Entrance: This channel is found between Boot Island and Strongs Island.
- Middle Entrance: You'll find this one between Marquette Island and Little La Salle Island.
- West Entrance: This is the main way to get to Hessel. It's located between Point Brulee and Marquette Island.
- Yacht Entrance: This entrance isn't officially named on maps, but many people call it "Yacht Entrance." It's a popular spot for large yachts to anchor overnight in Government Bay.
Sailing in Les Cheneaux
The Les Cheneaux Islands are a big deal for sailors! They are home to Fleet 31 of the Ensign Class. This group of sailboats sails out of the Les Cheneaux Yacht Club, which is located on Marquette Island.
This fleet is the largest group of Ensign sailboats anywhere in the world. In 2008, there were 64 boats sailing here! The Les Cheneaux Ensign Class has even hosted big sailing events, like the Ensign Class Region V Championships in 2008 and the National Ensign Regatta in 2010.
