Michigan

At the end of the Old Mission peninsula sits Mission Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is surrounded by 5 acres of wooded township and many acres of state land! Upon arriving you can explore the shores just below the lighthouse - there can intriguing iceberg islands forming at the edge of the wate...

Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the most popular hikes in the Marquette area. The easy hike quickly takes you up to clear views of Lake Superior and is perfect for a winter afternoon. Begin your hike at the trailhead off of Big Bay Road north of Marquette. There are two routes to the top - labeled e...

Huginnin Cove is located on the west side of the island close to Windigo and is a great day hike.  Many people feel it's an even better overnight trip.   If you're going to be spending the night on the island, you must first go through the orientation with park staff and then get your permit.  T...

Of course, you can come any time of the year, this is always a lovely small park! It is guaranteed to be crowded and cost money (unless you have the Ottawa County park pass) in the summer, though, and I've had better luck with parking and personal space at Holland State Park. I've found that the ...

Begin the run at Connor Bayou, where this adventure's directions lead to. You will follow the Idema Explorers trail into the woods, where you will wind around for about 0.4 miles. As soon as you exit the woods, continue to follow the paved trail that leads to the left along the road. After anothe...

Gabbro Falls is located just east of Blackjack Ski Resort in Bessemer, MI. There are two options for seeing the falls. First, you can continue through the resort parking lot, and continue up a service road. On the left, you see a small parking area. From the parking area, you can see a small hand...

If you’re looking for a place to fat bike ride in the area, then this is the spot for you! To access the Vasa Pathway you’ll want to head to Timber Ridge Resort, feel free to park in the main area. From the southeast corner of the Timber Ridge Resort, you will be able to jump on the pathway. You ...

You will need to take a ferry to the island to access this hike, but the fare is cheap and is worth it for a day trip. This hike starts at the very popular (and thus usually crowded) Arch Rock and takes you halfway across the island to British Landing. Even with the initial crowds, you should be...

Park your car at the Sleeping Bear Point Trailhead in Glen Haven, Michigan, once parked find your way to the sign for point of reference with the map. You'll find that the Ghost Forest Trail is a 2.8 mile loop. You can start the loop at the trailhead which is near the bathroom, or at the sign whe...

Log Slide Overlook on Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan's upper peninsula stands over 500ft above the water and provides stunning views of Lake Superior. Pictured Rocks is home to many beautiful waterfalls, hikes, cliffs and vistas, including Log Slide Overlook. This location is an o...

The hike begins at the Union Spring trailhead, roughly two miles south of the Park Headquarters on Boundary Road. This area of the park is also the winter cross country and snowshoeing section of the park, so many of the trails are marked for winter travel. To make sure you stay on the summer rou...

The Mason Tract is a massive protected wilderness area encompassing 4,493 acres. The crystal clear AuSable River runs right through the heart of this forest. On this trip, you will encounter enormous old trees with beautiful remote scenery around each riverbend. Bald eagles and black bears are pl...

Launch your kayak in the sheltered marina of Grindstone City County Park. Once you paddle past the break walls, paddle east along the shore. In less than a mile, you will come to huge rock faces. Some faces have beaches of rocks and sand. If it's wavy or windy, be careful not to get too close! A...

Just outside the village of Empire is where this venture starts. This hike may be the most famous hike in the area. The Empire Bluff Trail provides incredible views of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, South Bar Lake and Lake Michigan! The hike is slightly hilly, and stays primarily in the trees. At ...

Located along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this lookout towers over Lake Michigan and provides sweeping vistas of the lake and the surrounding lakeshore and peninsula. After parking in the lot, head along the paved path to the overlook. Once the...

Feel the burn in your calves and thighs! If you don't feel it, pick up the pace or do it all again! The good news is it is actually just a large dune, not an entire mountain. It should not take you very long to run, even though there are over 200 steps here. Every 25th stair is marked and there a...