Thompson Township is located in the civil township of Schoolcraft County. The city of Thompson is comprised on private, state and federal land with approximately 20 miles of shoreline along the northern edge of Lake Michigan in the central Upper Peninsula. According to the 2000 census the population was 671 people. This was a population increase by about 44.6% from the 1990 census.
Two-thirds of the land in the city is classified as non-homestead because much of the property is comprised of forest l and. With counting commercial, state, and federal forest land account for 57,504 acres or 58.9% of the total area. The town borders Lake Michigan and Indian Lake.
There is a small commercial area along US-2 corridor. This includes two motels, a convenience/gas station store, a real estate office, church and a variety store/lumber yard. The city is also a home to two state campgrounds, a state owned and operated fish hatchery, a golf course and Michigan’s largest spring “Kitch-iti-ki-piâ€.
Every season has something unique to offer. Spring and summer can offer camping and canoeing sitting on the beach and enjoying the weather, winter is good for those who love to ice fish, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and in fall you can enjoy the color changing scenery.
Be sure to visit the state’s largest spring, Kitch-iti-ki-pi. The name means “big cold waterâ€. You can take a raft to reach the middle of the spring by pulling a cable. Throughout the whole spring, there is crystal clear water. You can watch huge brown trout swim lazily around. The spring’s water is 45 degrees Fahrenheit all year round, which means you can view the spring at any time of the year. Sometimes in mid-winter the gates are closed, but don’t get discouraged, you still can see the spring. All it calls for is a little hiking. Just make sure you walk on the snowmobile trails because they are so packed down you don’t have to worry about not having snowshoes. Fall is a great time to visit the spring because you can take in all the color changing scenery. This is a family oriented tourist spot. If you are not on the raft, there is a pleasant picnic area to east and a playground area for the kids run and play. There is also a concession stand, which is open from Mid-May to Mid-October. The concession stands offers snacks and gifts to purchase.
A place to stay when you are on vacation is the Driftwood Shores Resort and RV Park. This park has 500 feet of Lake Michigan’s shoreline. This park has natural setting with peace and quiet. The busiest time of the year for the resort is in fall when the salmon and brown trout runs. The resort got its name when the ear of profuse driftwood was going on. Now the area is mostly a grassy open area without mature trees or shrubby buffers between the sites. There are 15 RV sites that all have water, electric, and lake views. There is a lodge, also known as a five-unit motel, and one cabin which have sunrise views. The only thing is that the RVs are between the motel/cabin and the sunrise. There are no tents sites. All rooms/sites have a picnic table, fire pit and wireless internet. There is also a dump station, laundry room and shower building.
Al-O-Ray Motel & Bakery
(906) 341-2479
Driftwood Shores Resort & RV Park
(906) 341-6266
Holiday Inn Express
www.hiexpress.com
(906) 341-3777
Best Western Breakers Motel
www.bestwestern.com
Peninsula Pointe Hotel
www.manistiquemi.com
(906) 341-3777
Budget Host Inn Manistique
www.budgethost-manistique.com
(906) 341-2552
Star Motel
thestarmotel.com
(906) 341-5363
Harbor Motel
(906) 341-5191
Garden Bay Motel
(906) 644-2258
Big Bay Depot
(906) 345-9350
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