Visitors to Michigan's Upper Peninsula know that they have finally made it when they cross the Mackinac Bridge, drive slightly north, and finally catch a glimpse of Castle Rock in St. Ignace.

But did you know that there's a similar, though smaller, rock tucked away in St. Ignace?

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I'll be honest, I grew up not far from St. Ignace and spent a ton of time there when I was younger, and I didn't learn about this "other" rock until recently.

St. Anthony's Rock in St. Ignace, Michigan

Yes, we all know Castle Rock. It towers above I-75 just north of the Mackinac Bridge, and it's hard to miss. Not only because it's giant, but also because of the statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox that sit out front.

But tucked away in downtown St. Ignace, you'll find St. Anthony's Rock, which kind of looks like it's Castle Rock's baby or younger sibling.

St. Anthony's Rock, according to local legend, was given its name by Father Louis Hennepin. It's said that Fr. Hennepin named the rock after St. Anthony of Padua.

READ MORE: Did You Know the U.P. is Home to Michigan's 'Banana Belt'? 

St. Anthony's, much like Castle Rock, is what experts refer to as a "sea stack", or just "stack" to some.

How are Sea Stacks Formed?

It's believed that sea stacks are formed by erosion and are usually found in coastal areas near seas and oceans. But the Great Lakes are oceanic enough, right? Turns out, they are, and that's why we have St. Anthony's Rock.

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Discover St. Ignace via Facebook
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There are several of these types of formations in the Straits area. A plaque that sits at the base of St. Anthony's Rock says that the formation is comprised of rock that is believed to have been formed 350 million years ago, when the area was still underwater.

Once upon a time, visitors and locals alike could climb St. Anthony's Rock, though there were signs around it that warned against it and asked people not to.

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Discover St. Ignace via Facebook
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Today, a short fence surrounds it.

UP NEXT: Top Lesser-Known Attractions of the U.P.  + 10 Facts About the U.P. You Probably Didn't Know + Hauntings and Folklore of the U.P. ⬇️

While Castle Rock is cool, it's often a bit busy. So if you want to get a similar experience without the wait, St. Anthony's Rock is worth checking out.

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While places like Mackinac Island and Pictured Rocks are great and definitely worth seeing, there are some other, less-popular spots in the U.P. that you should check out on your next trip up north.

Gallery Credit: Wendy Reed

10 Facts About Michigan's Upper Peninsula You Probably Didn't Know

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the setting of a lot of tall tales, urban legends, and folklore. But there are a lot of true things about the U.P. that many don't know and probably wouldn't believe.

Gallery Credit: Wendy Reed

Hauntings, Folklore, and Urban Legends Surrounding Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is beautiful, and it also has its fair share of folklore and superstitions.

Gallery Credit: Wendy Reed

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