Michigan Vacations

Michigan vacations can be during any of the four distinct seasons the state enjoys. We try to include at least a few ideas for vacation spots in Michigan for each season in the collection below. You'll find all the links you need to get more information as well.

Michigan Vacations On The Beach

With four of the five Great Lakes surrounding the state, and thousands of accessible inland lakes, there is no shortage of beach activities in summer. You can swim in Lake Superior, off the cliffs at Miners Beach, just east of Munising, or relax on the wide-open stretches of Lake Michigan sand and dunes along highway 2, in the upper peninsula. In the lower peninsula, you'll find dozens of great beaches along Lake Michigan, on the west side of the state, as well as along Lake Huron, on the east side. Nordhouse Dunes State Park, for example, near Ludington, has camping, wilderness trails, and great beaches. For more information on this park, visit stateparks.com.

National Parks Vacations

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a park where you can climb 400-foot high sand dunes, hike, swim, fish, and camp. It encompasses a 60 km (35 mi.) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The sunsets here are spectacular. The Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including an 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive rural historic farm district. This is a great area for family vacations. For more information, you can use the link here to visit the official Sleeping Bear Dunes Park Website.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, near Munising, is one of the most beautiful parks in Michigan. Multicolored sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, wildlife and the forest of the Lake Superior shoreline beckon visitors to explore this 73,000+ acre park. Attractions include a lighthouse and former Coast Guard life-saving stations along with old farmsteads and former logging trails. The park is a four season vacation destination where hiking, camping, hunting, nature study, and winter activities abound. At its widest point the Lakeshore is only five miles and hugs the Superior shoreline for more than 40 miles. This was the first National Lakeshore and was authorized in 1966. For more information, visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Website.

Isle Royale National Park is characterized by wolves, moose, the wild North Woods forest, ever changing weather and a cool climate, and the crystal clear waters and rugged shoreline of Lake Superior. Vacations here are at the extremes - luxury at the only hotel on the roadless island, or wilderness backpacking trips. The archipelago is 45 miles long and nine miles wide at its widest point, and is composed of many parallel ridges resulting from ancient lava flows which were tilted and glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for backpackers and recreational boaters. There is excellent fishing, historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, ancient copper mining sites, and plenty of spots to observe wildlife. The park is accessible only by boat or float plane. Pets are not allowed within park boundaries, which extend 4.5 miles into Lake Superior from the outermost land areas of the park. Isle Royale is relatively untouched by direct outside influences and serves as a living laboratory and United States Biosphere Reserve. For more information, visit the Isle Royal Park Website.

Michigan Vacations In Winter

In Michigan's upper peninsula there are hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails. You can travel from town to town for days, without using your car. You can even find motels, stores and bars right along the snowmobile routes. There are many snowmobiling opportunities in northern lower Michigan as well.

If you are in Delta county, in the upper peninsula, during the winter, be sure to check out the ice road. You can drive across the ice on Little Bay De Noc from Gladstone to the Stonington peninsula between January and March most years. The "road" is kept plowed, and saves the locals 20 miles per day driving to and from work.

Vacations In Michigan State Parks

Michigan has many great state parks suitable for week-long family vacations, and others worth visiting along the way. Porcupine Mountains State Park, for example, near Ontonogan, is worth visiting just to drive up to the Lake-Of-The-Clouds overlook. In addition to the spectacular scenery. the park has enough hiking trails to keep you busy for many days. Also, the beaches of Lake Superior are never far away. In Wilderness State Park, in lower Michigan, you get the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan, along with thousands of acres of forests. For more information on vacations in any of the State Parks, visit the Michigan Department Of Natural Resources Website.

Michigan Festivals

Vacations built around a weekend or week-long festival are a great way to keep the whole family happy. Most Michigan festivals have music, shopping, cultural activities, carnival rides, and more. Use the links below to get information on some of the better festivals in Michigan:

The National Cherry Festival : July, in Traverse City.

The Mushroom Festival : May, in Mesick.

The Tulip Festival : May, in Holland.

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