Litchfield Nature Trail

The Trine State Recreation Area is just off of the 80/90 Interstate in northeastern Indiana near the town of Freemont. You can find the trailhead of the Rolling Oaks Trail just north of the Wild Turkey Shelter. The Rolling Oaks Trail is a moderate 2.5 mile loop that takes you through the forest, across a beautiful open meadow and along wetlands. During my own visit I got to see several species ...

The Bluebird Hills trail ( trail #7) is a moderate, 1.8 mile loop trail at Pokagon State Park that starts just below Hell's Point on Trail #3. You will be guided by a sign at the start of the trail head.  You will start out along a wooded path that leads you to an open meadow with rolling hills that loops around the wetland restoration area and then back to your starting point.  This trail is r...

Finding a quiet, relatively secluded place to backpack can be difficult in Southeastern Michigan. However, backpacking at Blind Lake in the Pinckney State Park is a fantastic option for those searching. Blind Lake is accessible by a 7 mile hike in from Silver Lake, but can be approached from several different routes using the Potawatomi and Waterloo Trails. The Blind Lake rustic campground prov...

The designated parking here is Fitzgerald Park. This park has a $3 entrance fee per car ($5 for non-residents). If you want to avoid this fee, park in downtown Grand Ledge and find the Riverwalk on the south side of the Grand River, just west of downtown. A good parking spot is right next to Fitzgerald Field and Island Park. The trailhead begins at the Eaton County Parks & Rec Departme...

Having lived in Michigan and the greater Detroit area for only one year, I'm still constantly looking for the next place to take my mind off the day-to-day work grind. Michigan, the Great Lake State, is certainly not a bad place to be to do so. Roughly one hour outside of Detroit rests Bird Hills Nature Area. Technically in Ann Arbor, Mich., most notably known for being home to the University o...

This adventure starts at Argo Park. Rent a kayak for $21 (including shuttle service back) or bring your own. Caution: parking can be limited on the busiest summer days, so be sure to check out the overflow lots and shuttles. Check the livery website for hours and additional parking information. From Argo Park to Gallup Canoe & Livery, you will travel 3.7 river miles. This will take you ...