Golf, History & Island Life

In late August, we packed up for a weekend getaway to Drummond Island Resort—a chance to sneak in a little golf, soak up some history, and get a taste of that slow-paced “island life.”

Getting There

Reaching Drummond Island is half the adventure. You have to take the ferry from DeTour Village at the eastern edge of the Upper Peninsula. The actual ride takes less than five minutes, but the wait to get your car onto the ferry can stretch to an hour or two depending on traffic. Once you make it across, though, the world feels different—quiet, spacious, and just a little wilder.

At 134 square miles, Drummond is the seventh-largest lake island in the world and the third largest in Lake Huron. Nearly two-thirds of the island is state-owned, making it a true outdoor paradise with 36 inland lakes and miles of trails. The massive Drummond Island quarry sits just south of the ferry docks, a reminder of how much natural resource work still takes place here. And if you glance out at the St. Mary’s River, you’ll likely spot one of the 4,500 freighters that pass by the island each year.

A Little History

The island gets its name from British commander Gordon Drummond, who built Fort Drummond here after the War of 1812. For years it was the final British stronghold on American soil, until it was officially handed over in 1828. By the mid-1800s, Native American communities and Mormon missionaries had settled on the island, and a post office was established in 1881.

Drummond Island’s role in American history ties directly to the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812 by restoring the boundaries originally set in the Treaty of Paris in 1783. That meant Drummond, once under British control, became U.S. territory. By November of 1828, the U.S. Army officially occupied the fort, and the island’s new chapter began.

That mix of cultures and stories still lingers in the atmosphere—walking the trails or standing along the shoreline, you can almost feel the layers of history beneath your feet.

Things to Do on Drummond Island

One of the things that struck us is how much there is to do here. Whether you’re a hiker, kayaker, off-road enthusiast, or just a nature lover, Drummond has something for everyone.

  • ATV/ORV Trails – With over 100 miles of trails, the island is a haven for off-roaders.
  • Heritage Water Trail – A slower, scenic way to explore the shoreline by kayak.
  • Hiking & Nature Preserves – The island is crisscrossed with trails through forests and wetlands.
  • The Fossil Ledges –Along the northern shore, you’ll find fossilized coral beds forming ledges that stretch out into Lake Huron. Getting there can be a little tricky—you’ll need a high-clearance vehicle and a sense of adventure—but it’s worth every bump in the road.
  • Rock Hunting – Drummond is famous for puddingstones, a striking mix of red jasper, black chert, and white quartzite. We found ourselves scanning every beach and forest path, hoping to spot one.

Golfing the Island

Of course, one of the main reasons we came was for the golf. Drummond Island has two unique courses:

Playing both courses gave us a real taste of the island’s character—laid-back, beautiful, and just a little quirky. At the second course, you actually have to cross the airport runway between holes! We couldn’t help but laugh as we stopped, looked both ways for planes, and then carried on with our round.

Staying at the Resort

We stayed at the Drummond Island Resort and Conference Center, which worked well for our purposes, but we did learn a few things for next time. The Lodge is comfortable but a bit dated, and it can get noisy at night with ORVs coming and going. Dining also requires a little planning—Bayside Restaurant is only open Monday through Thursday, so if you’re there for a weekend, your on-site option is Pins Bar and Grill. The food is average pub fare, but the service was excellent.

Next trip, we’ll book one of the cabins by the water and make sure to plan around Bayside’s schedule, because we’ve heard great things about their menu and were disappointed to miss out.

Why We’ll Be Back

Drummond Island lives up to its nickname: the “Gem of the Huron.” It offers world-class kayaking, birding, and fishing, plus 17 shipwrecks and the incredible Alvar ecosystem to explore. Winters bring snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, summers mean golf and hiking, and every sunset feels like its own masterpiece.

Our weekend had a few bumps (literally and figuratively), but we left already planning our return. Drummond Island is one of those places that gets under your skin—you come for the golf or the trails, but you leave with a love for its wild, unpolished beauty.

If you’re craving a mix of adventure and relaxation, this little corner of Lake Huron is worth every ferry wait.