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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.
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, everchanging 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.
In Michigan's upper peninsula ther 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.
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.
The National Cherry Festival : July, in Traverse City.
The Mushroom Festival : May, in Mesick.
The Trout Festival : Late April, in Kalkaska.
The Tulip Festival : May, in Holland.