Norway, Michigan: Your Guide to the City of Trails
- Belong Dickinson
- Jun 22
- 7 min read
Norway Michigan City Guide
Norway, Michigan, is a friendly small-town community surrounded by a network of walking and biking trails that connect forested lakes, extensive recreation parks, playgrounds, and natural habitats, with a classic main street running through the center.
Whether you prefer live music, weekly markets, and street festivals or are looking for outdoor adventure, Norway offers plenty to do year-round. The City's charming main street business corridor features some of the area's best restaurants, specialty craft and antique stores—including Nordic gifts—and plenty of friendly faces ready to welcome you to Norway's close-knit community.
Schools
Holy Spirit Catholic School is a private Catholic school providing education from early childhood through 8th grade to students regardless of their religious affiliation. Holy Spirit focuses on cultivating strong character and fairness in its students, with a curriculum tailored to each child's strengths and a multi-age classroom environment designed to enhance self-esteem and promote a positive attitude.
Norway-Vulcan Area School District is the public school district serving Norway, Vulcan, Waucedah, and surrounding townships, offering pre-K through 12th-grade education curricula. NVAS is a National Blue Ribbon School, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for student excellence, with special recognition for its teaching staff and administration. The elementary and middle schools have also been recognized as Showcase Schools by the Capturing Kids’ Hearts organization. The competitive athletics program has brought Norway teams to recent regional basketball finals and state baseball finals. Go Knights!
Parks and Recreation
From rushing rivers to abundant forests, Norway harnessed its natural resources with an interconnected network of paths that make it easy to explore, play, or relax in nature.
The City Linear Loop Park is a 4-mile system of non-motorized, primarily paved paths that open up the entire City of Norway for walkers, runners, and bikers of all ages to explore. The loop unofficially begins at Strawberry Lake and links Hanbury Lake, Marion Park, and the Norway Myr before ending out in Downtown Norway.
City Loop Linear Park
Paved paths are accessed at the Strawberry Lake parking lot and the Marion Park parking lot. Both lots also provide access to the Ogee biking trail network.
The Dickinson Trail Network maintains miles of biking trails, providing spectacular vistas along the way, including Strawberry Lake and Norway Mountain to the North and an elevated overlook view of the incredible Piers Gorge to the South. The Ogee Trails are groomed year-round and are accessible for both novice cyclists and those seeking a more technical excursion.
DTN - Ogee trail
View Trailforks.com, Trail Genius, and printable maps on the DTN website.
The Fumee Lake Natural Area is a wildlife nature preserve extending west of Norway's City limits. The 7-mile non-motorized trail encircles two lakes (Little Fumee and Big Fumee), offering a quiet retreat for those craving a space to slow down and unplug. With several stunning areas along the way, Fumee is a favorite of hikers, adventure bikers and nature enthusiasts. Fumee is a pristine habitat set aside for various plants, birds, and waterfowl, including some endangered species.
Fumee Lake Natural Area
There are two trail access points: an eastern parking lot located off Upper Pine Creek Road in Norway and a western access parking lot at the end of Indiana Mine Road in Iron Mountain. Find the latest on the Fumee Lake Natural Area Facebook page.
Marion Park is Norway’s largest recreational park, with playing fields that host soccer and mixed sports, as well as two baseball fields that have hosted regional and state-wide championship tournaments. Other attractions include a tennis court, playground, and outdoor pavilions for picnics and family get-togethers. Bikers enjoy easy entry to the southern Ogee Trailheads, while walkers and runners can use the paved trail running parallel to the park to connect to Downtown Norway or the Norway Myr.
Marion Park Recreation Complex
Marion Park is located south of Downtown Norway on Highway 8 across from the Dickinson County Fairgrounds.
The Norway Myr is a large marsh preserve established by the City of Norway to provide a permanent habitat for Norway’s indigenous wetland plants and species. The paved, non-motorized trail runs through the Myr, with viewing stations and educational signage along the way that invite visitors to learn more about Norway’s native ecology.
Norway Myr
The Norway Myr is accessible via the City Linear Loop Park, located off Kimberly Road, west of Highway 8 in Norway, Michigan.
The thunderous sound of rushing water intensifies just before you catch your first glimpse of one of Norway’s main natural attractions - Piers Gorge. Piers Gorge is a series of waterfall-like rocky drops formed by granite boulders along a bend in the Menominee River, which forms the border between Michigan and Wisconsin. A 1.5-mile hike, there are four Piers to take in spectacular views of awe-inspiring scenery from a distance or get close enough to feel the spray on your face. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, several local companies offer guided river-rafting trips across some of the most powerful rapids on this side of the Rocky Mountains.
Piers Gorge
Travel south on Highway 8 and turn west on Old Piers Gorge Road to access the Piers Gorge parking lot and trailhead.
Located a short walk under the train tracks north of Downtown Norway's business district, Strawberry Lake has two scenic fishing piers, a 1-mile paved and lit path around the lake, and trailhead access to the northern Ogee Trail network. A nearby park area includes Knight's Kingdom, a wooden Viking-themed playground, two large ballparks and a warming shack with a skating rink in the Winter.
Strawberry Lake and Knights Kingdom
Parking is available at the parking lot on Strawberry Lake Road. Year-round hours are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Norway is a significant hub for off-road vehicle and snowmobile recreation on well-groomed trails designed and maintained year-round by the Tri-County Snowmobile and ORV Club. The extensive trail network not only encircles Norway but connects points of interest throughout Dickinson County. Regardless of the season, the motorized trail system, with clear map markings and multiple gas and food options to fuel up along the way, offers up a full day of exhilarating rides in the area.
Tri-County ORV and Snowmobile Trail Network
Information about trail conditions and trail maps are available on the Tri-County ORV and Snowmobile Club website.
Area Attractions
Specialty Main Street businesses, Friday night races, a natural spring to cool off, and a train ride into an underground mine are just a few of the attractions to fill days and evenings in Norway, Michigan.
The Jake Menghini Historical Museum is an interactive gateway to Norway's small-town community history, spanning from its mining era origins to the present day. Regular guided tours, led by local experts, are available to the public from June to September.
105 Odill Drive, Norway, Michigan
The Iron Mountain Iron Mine in Vulcan is a guided underground train ride that takes you 2,600 feet into the site of the former East Vulcan mine, which moved 21 million tons of ore between 1877 and 1945. Visitors get a first-hand look at the underground mines, tools, working conditions, and incredible engineering that went into the region’s iron ore mining boom. It is one of the few mines in Upper Michigan that are accessible to the public.
Open Memorial Day Weekend until October W4852 US Highway 2, Vulcan, Michigan 49892
Summer Fridays in Norway wouldn't be complete without the rumble of stockcar racers burning up the track at the Norway Speedway. Home to the Dickinson County Racing Association, the weekly races are a family-friendly event and tradition for many.
The Norway Speedway is just south of Downtown Norway between State Highway 141 and US Highway 2, on US Highway 8 at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds.
Norway Spring is an artesian spring that runs April through September. A seasonal tradition for many residents throughout the region is to take a refreshing sip from the drinking fountain and fill water jugs to take more home.
Norway Spring is on US Highway 2 at the eastern entrance to the City of Norway.
A walk through the downtown business district on Main Street stretches several blocks, offering a variety of food and shopping options, including Scandinavian gifts, crafting and quilting supplies, sports memorabilia, rock-collecting items, and more. Several benches and two pocket parks offer scenic resting options along your journey, particularly Viking Square Park, which features a Norway Viking statue that has become a hot spot for photos.
Main Street, Norway Michigan
Norway Restaurants
Norway is home to numerous family-friendly eateries that cater to every mood and schedule.
The Thirsty Whale is known for its award-winning burgers and its beach volleyball league. Mike's on Main offers homemade and hearty meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the whole family. Friday night on the Knight Owl patio for a fish fry or stone-fired pizza is the perfect stop after a long day on the DTN or Tri-County Snowmobile and ORV trail systems.
Oak Crest Golf Course's Sandtrap Bar and Grill is the perfect place to cool down after a round on the links. Warm up and refuel at Norway Mountain's Moosehead restaurant while hitting the slopes.
Whether you are short on time or looking for comfort in something you are familiar with, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, and Subway locations are all conveniently located on the main drag - US2.
Downtown Norway's website is your source for the latest Norway restaurant directory.
Annual Norway Events
Throughout the year, Norway's main street is home to several events that are unique to the City of Norway.
Whether it's weekly live music at the downtown bandshell in the Summer, a Viking street party in the Fall, or a Christmas celebration with fireworks, a parade, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus, or any chance to put on a parade, Norway has a personality all its own.
Every Thursday starting in June, regional music lovers converge on the Main Street bandshell for this free sunset concert series. The music covers a wide range of genres, including classic rock, blues, country, and big band. Be sure to bring your lawn chair and arrive early, as this event consistently draws large crowds.
A summer staple in Norway since 1882. Composed of musicians of all ages, including talented high school students from across the Dickinson area, the band performs a lively selection of big band, swing, Americana, and movie themes.
Support area farmers, vendors, and artisans every Thursday evening in the Summer.
Every October, the City of Norway celebrates Leif Erikson's spirit of exploration. A Fall Festival where Main Street comes alive all day with Viking reenactments, hayrides, live music, food vendors, cooking workshops, crafts, and a Viking funeral ceremony on Strawberry Lake.
Christmas in Norway marks the official start of the holiday season in Downtown Norway, with a tree-lighting ceremony near the city bandshell, followed by a fireworks display, a parade, and an opportunity for attendees to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at City Hall.