Voyageur Encampment at Metro Beach

Discover a chapter in Michigan's rich history as the Voyageurs bring the Great Lakes Fur Trade Era to life at the 15th Annual Voyageur Encampment at Metro Beach Metropark this Saturday and Sunday. 

Visitors will get a living history lesson as they learn about the lifestyles and skills of the Voyageurs, Coureurs de Bois, Native Americans, military and settlers of the Great Lakes fur trade era as re-enactors in period clothing set up camp for the weekend surrounded by traditional canoes and a trading post.  

Art, culture and lifestyle demonstrations such as blacksmithing, rope making, finger weaving, silversmithing, paddle carving and campfire cooking will be going on throughout the weekend. Plus, see and take part in colonial games, art and craft projects, storytelling, music, song and dance, first-person history presentations, history talks, muzzle loading and cannons demonstrations, and period fashion shows for kids and adults will enhance the weekend.  

And now for some quick background: The Great Lakes Fur Trade Era, which took place from 1620-1820, was the first major industry in North America. The Pointe at Metro Beach was a stopover point for the Lewis Cass expedition in 1820. You'll learn this and much more when you visit this encampment.

This weekend's events are supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and the Anton Art Center. It will be staged on the park shoreline near the Day Sail Launch.

A vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $25 annually for regular admission, $15 annually for seniors, or $5 daily.