Chassell Township

Centennial Park

Explore the UP with our hiking and mountain biking trails, in quiet wooded areas and along the serene lake. Our trails cross through Centennial Park, and reaches all the way up to Houghton! Come back in the winter to snowshoe or ski through the same trails.

Kayak Sturgeon River

The Sturgeon River Sloughs are known for their unmatched hunting and fishing opportunities, as these wetlands provide excellent fish
and waterfowl habitat.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operate an access site at the South
Portage Entry. This site is located five miles south of Chassell, and includes a boat launch, a large concrete pier used to tie-up large craft, and a picnic area with vaulted toilets.

Portage Lake and the Keweenaw Waterway are included in the larger Keweenaw Water Trail, marketed, and managed by the Keweenaw Water Trail Association.

Click Visit Keweenaw to learn more about the Canoe Kayak Launch on the Sturgeon River heading south from town. Or the Chassell Historical Trail in town.

Chassell in July

Don’t miss Chassell in July, when we host our annual Strawberry Festival in Centennial Park!

During the two-day festival, the Chassell Lions sells scrumptious strawberry shortcake, and later, you can listen to music in the pavilion.

Our local “crafters” are featured at a craft show, which runs all two days of the festival.

Friday of Strawberry Festival features the Strawberry Queen competition. The next morning, our crowned queen is featured in the parade.

Adventure on Chassells’ Ski, Snowshoe, and Fitness Trails

Chassell Township would like to thank the Keweenaw Community Foundation for supporting out trail mapping project with its PHF Outdoor Wellness & Recreation Fund Grant!

The grant provided funding for 3′ x 4′ trailhead signs at the Heritage Center, the old ice rink, Marinette Street, and Archambeau Road. The grant also provided funding for 18″ x 24″ signs at the 2k and 5k cutoffs as well as the Nature Trail access point to the south of the cemetery.

The signs were printed by Copper Island Printing in Calumet based on GPS data collected by MTU’s Director of Research Computing, Gowtham who collected the data by covering all the trails in coordination with Jim Tervo, Jay Fedorocko, and Keith and Julie Meyers.

The signs were installed by Joe Youngman and Cole Smith. The signs include the classic cross country ski trail, the snowshoe trails, the fitness trail and the nature trail.

The signs include updated rules that were formulated through the coordination of Township Clerk, the risk management function for the township’s insurance provider, the planning commission, and the township’s attorney.

The signage will help trail users from getting lost and that the numeric designation’s on the signs will help emergency responders.

Gowtham has also uploaded the GPS data to Google Maps so that can help orient trail users as well. We encourage township and area residents to take advantage of the trail system to help build their personal wellness and fitness!

Ski Trail Passes can be purchased by clicking here or to find information about purchasing locally.

Fitness Trail

The township allows mountain biking only on the Fitness Trail portion or the trails which you can ride as a 2k loop from the Heritage Center Trailhead or a 4k if you add the 2k extension from the 2k cutoff.

The trail is not available for snow biking during the cross country ski season. Please note the following:

Rules

• Use of the trails is at your own risk
• Alcohol is prohibited
• Biking is prohibited during the cross country ski season
• Bikers must yield to pedestrians
• Dogs must be leashed

Updates

• Chassell Township Add Fitness Stations to Trails – Press Release
• September 14, 2019 – Students replace Chassell Township bridge
• November 4, 2019 – Chassell Township launches fitness trails

Volunteer Green Thumb

What many people do not realize is that these gardens are maintained by a group of volunteers – often as many as 20 or more local residents – who work throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Led by a local Master Gardener (who attended a course from the Michigan State University Extension Service program), these volunteers work many hours throughout the season.

They make a special effort to ensure that the township looks its best for the annual Strawberry Festival put on by the Chassell Lions Club.

So, if you see someone tending these gardens, take a moment to appreciate their work. What you see every day in Chassell is a beautiful community effort.

Chassell Bark Park

The Chassell Bark Park off-leash dog park is now open!  You can find the entrance to the south of the pavilion at Centennial Park. 

The large dog park is straight in from the entry corral and the small dog park is to the right.  Dogs must be leashed until they enter the park. 

Volunteers will be continuing to improve the park in the coming weeks.  Please be sure to clean up after your dog and help support volunteers by picking up debris!

Rules

• All dogs declared dangerous are not permitted to use this park and shall not be allowed on the premises.
• No dogs under four months of age or female dogs in heat are allowed in the area.
• No food for either dogs and/or human consumption are allowed on the premises.
• Dogs must be on leash when entering and exiting the designated off-leash area.
• Dogs (no more than three per handler) must be under the control of their handler and in view of handler at all times. When dog is leashed, handlers must have possession of the dog leash at all times.  One leash per dog.
• All dogs must be legally vaccinated and shall wear a visible license on a collar. Tags may serve as proof and made available upon request.  Dogs should also wear an owner identification tag at all times.
• Handlers must be 16 years-old or older. Children under 16 years-old must be accompanied by an adult.
• Tennis balls are provided, but no dog toys should be brought into the area. Bird dog training dummies are allowed in the area by the lake.
• No spiked or pinch collars.
• To help reduce the potential spread of parasites, handlers must pick up and dispose of their dog’s waste in the collection container provided
• Handlers must fill all holes dug by dog(s) under their control.
• Dogs must be leashed and removed from the off-leash area at the first sign of aggression.
• Handlers are responsible for any injuries caused by dog(s) under their control.
• Patrons using facility do so at their own risk. Chassell Township shall not be liable for any injury or damage caused by any dog or handler in the designated area.
• In the event of an emergency, call 911.