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Michigan

Looking for the best chillin in Michigan? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Michigan. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near Michigan

  • Free Soil, Michigan

    Camp in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

    4.6
    The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is located south of Manistee along an extremely isolated shoreline. Most hikers prefer to camp two nights along the shores of Lake Michigan, but some choose to call the dunes home for weeks at a time. This is an area of backwoods camping, where sites can be est...
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  • Ludington, Michigan

    Hike to Big Sable Point Lighthouse

    4.7
    3.6 mi
    Big Sable Point Lighthouse is perhaps one of the most scenic locations in Michigan. A 3.6 mile round trip hike along the Lake Michigan shoreline will bring you to the destination, which is nestled among sprawling sand dunes. Each evening, it offers a stunning sunset along the sandy beaches.A shor...
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  • Manistique, Michigan

    Explore Kitch-iti-kipi ("Big Springs")

    4.5
    Kitch-iti-kipi is a beautiful and easily accessed attraction in the southern region of Michigan's UP. The springs are a short 11.5 mile drive from the town of Manistique and are the perfect side trip for a UP getaway.Parking is plentiful at Palms Book State Park and a parking attendant will check...
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  • Holland, Michigan

    Watch a Sunset at Laketown Park

    4.7
    Laketown Park is located between Saugatuck and Holland Michigan. The parking lot is at the end of 142nd Ave, and is directly next to the stairs that take you up and over the dunes to the beach. There are no official restrooms here, but there is a small pit toilet.It takes about 5-15 minutes to cl...
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  • Mackinac Island, Michigan

    Bike around Mackinac Island

    4.0
    8.05 mi / 115 ft gain
    Mackinac Island is accessible only by ferry, and there are no cars allowed on the island. While you can rent bikes over there, we opted to bring ours along on the Star Line ferry. Super easy and we had no problems! Lake Shore Boulevard, or State Highway M-185, wraps around the entire island and ...
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  • Marquette, Michigan

    Hike Sugarloaf Mountain, MI

    Located just outside Marquette, Sugarloaf Mountain offers stunning 360 views of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The trail is short with two route options: difficult and easy.The difficult trail is still extremely easy, with the distance to the top under a half mile. The last couple hundred feet are g...
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  • Marquette, Michigan

    Cliff Jump at Black Rocks Cove

    4.0
    Marquette, Michigan is known for its natural beauty and Presque Isle Park may be the loveliest place of all. Referred to as the “Island” by locals, this oval-shaped peninsula cuts into the crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior.Make sure to check out Black Rocks Cove located on Island's western si...
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  • Shingleton, Michigan

    Kayak the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

    5.0
    The best place to start a kayak tour of the main section of cliffs along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is Miners Beach, located just outside of Munising. Miners Beach features a good size parking lot, along with a beautiful sandy beach that serves as a great launching point within sight o...
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  • Maple City, Michigan

    Hike Pyramid Point Trail

    4.3
    2.8 mi / 570 ft gain
    Beginning at the trailhead, the 2.8 mile round trip takes you on a gravel/sand trail up 570 feet. The trail slowly winds uphill until you hit an opening at the top that looks out at the Sleeping Bear Dunes and down on Lake Michigan. 
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  • Marquette, Michigan

    Hike to Hidden Beach, MI

    5.0
    1 mi
    This adventure starts at a trailhead on the North Trail just north of Marquette, Michigan leading you straight to a beach on Lake Superior. Keep going north on a slightly beaten path up the coastline to reach Hidden Beach. The coast is full of cliffs and massive rocks to stand on to take a step o...
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  • Munising, Michigan

    Munising Falls

    4.5
    0.37 mi / 72 ft gain
    Munising Falls is a 50' falls located inside the city limits of Munising. The trail to the waterfall is directly outside the visitor center and makes for a quick and easy hike after stopping by to pick up a permit or check in with a ranger.  The paved trail is cool and shaded as it follows a cre...
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  • Munising Township, Michigan

    Explore Wagner Falls

    5.0
    Wagner Falls is an easy-to-reach waterfall right off of 94. There are parking areas on both sides of the highway so even when the trail is busy you will likely find a spot. Its close proximity to the highway and short trail make Wagner Falls the idea place to go if you are limited on time but wan...
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  • Frankfort, Michigan

    Explore Point Betsie Lighthouse

    5.0
    If you find yourself cruising M22 between Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan, be sure to check out this beautiful lighthouse. Turn off of M22 on to Point Betsie Rd. and follow the curving road all the way to Lake Michigan. There isn't a designated parking lot for the lighthouse, but you can park anyw...
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  • Empire, Michigan

    Drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

    5.0
    A seven mile drive that offers views that are unbelievable. There are twelve stops along the way that correspond with an interpretive guide that is found at the beginning of the drive. The drive takes you through multiple landscapes.  The points of interest are as follows:1. Covered Bridge2. Glen...
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  • Mackinaw City, Michigan

    Photograph the Mackinac Bridge

    5.0
    The upper peninsula of Michigan is connected to the mainland by the Mackinac Bridge. This bridge is quite impressive from a distance and it makes a great object for photography at any time of the day. If you want to get up close to the bridge, try visiting one of the parks located on the north or...
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  • Marquette, Michigan

    Rum Runner's Cove

    0.5 mi / 50 ft gain
    Drive to the Wetmore Landing Parking Lot, right off County Road 550 North of Marquette. Park then walk out to the beach- there's 2 routes you can take.  The North Country Trail runs East to West along the coast here, you can hop on that and go right from the parking lot (East) and follow the tra...
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