Michigan offers visitors the opportunity to experience water sports and swimming in the Great Lakes during the summer months as well as a variety of winter sports when the weather turns cold. The availability of outdoor activities during your Michigan vacation will vary depending on which of the four season's you choose to experience. Skiing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, biking, camping and many other outdoor activities are waiting for you in Michigan.
Skiing
Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa located in the northwest lower peninsula of Michigan was chosen as the number one resort in the midwest by SKI magazine in 2005. The resort features 45 slopes and more than 40 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails as well as ice skating, hockey and guided snowshoe tours, weather permitting. Lodging at Crystal Mountain ranges from hotel rooms to large resort residences. Nightly rates including lift tickets start at $99 for individuals and $299 for families.
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr.
Thompsonville, Michigan 49683
(800) 968-7686
http://www.crystalmountain.com/home.html
Kayaking
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is named for the 15 miles of colorful scenic cliffs rising above Lake Superior. This area contains several shipwrecks, some found in shallow waters that can easily be spotted from a kayak. The Lakeshore offers several put-in points for kayaks and two campgrounds at Twelve Mile Beach, and the lower Hurricane River offers campgrounds with kayak access. Wetsuits are recommended by the National Park Service due to the cold temperatures of Lake Superior. The Lakeshore also features more than 90 miles of hiking trails. Use of the campgrounds varies between $14 and $16 per night while back-country campers will need to purchase a $5 per night permit at the Inter Agency Visitor Center in Munising, Mich., before arriving at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
P.O. Box 40
Munising, Michigan 49862
(906) 387-3700
http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm
Biking
The Island Lake Reservation Area covers 4,000 acres in southeast Michigan and offers visitors three biking trails ranging from four to nine miles each along with picnic areas, campgrounds, swimming, canoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months. Non-residents will need to purchase a vehicle permit for $8 per day or a $29 annual pass in order to enter the Recreation Area. Rustic campgrounds are available at no extra cost, while cabins can be rented at the rate of $80 per night.
Island Lake Reservation Area
12950 E. Grand River Ave.
Brighton, MI 48116
(810) 229-7067
http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=462&type=SPRK
About The Author
Kittie McCoy has been a freelance writer since February 2008 and is also a part time personal trainer and licensed entertainer in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has been published online by ehow. She enjoys sharing her love of physical fitness and experience in the entertainment industry via her writing.
