Latest news with #PureMichigan
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
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Ready to cast off for summer? Where to boat across Michigan in 2025
Summer boating season in Michigan is getting underway, and boaters are already hitting the water. A day out on clear, sparkling waters with loved ones offers a perfect summer getaway for Michigan boaters. The state is a boat lover's paradise, boasting four of the Great Lakes and 11,000 inland lakes, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "In Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles away from a lake, river or stream, so you never have to travel far to find a boaters paradise," Pure Michigan says. Here's what to know. When the day on the lake is done, consider docking in these areas and checking out nearby cities. Charlevoix: This northwest Michigan city borders Lake Charlevoix, Round Lake, the Round Lake Channel and Lake Michigan. The Charlevoix City Marina is open for the season and features a boaters' lounge, floating docks, laundry facilities, a splash pad and restrooms. Nearby, the city features restaurants, hotels, a dog park and gardens. Detroit: The Motor City runs along an international border at the Detroit River. Among several docking options is the Riverside Marina, with the clubhouse featuring a jacuzzi, heated swimming pool, showers, locker room and laundry facilities. Downtown Detroit and nearby Midtown are packed with restaurants, museums, hotels, parks, theaters, shopping and sports venues. Holland: Holland borders Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa River, flowing toward Lake Michigan. Docking includes the Yacht Basin Marina, with a conference center and vacation rental units. The tourist town with Dutch heritage features tulip gardens, restaurants, a lighthouse, Dutch Village, museums, hotels and state parks. Higgins Lake State Park: North and South Higgins Lake State Park near Roscommon in northern Michigan are on Higgins Lake. The state parks provide boat launches, cabins, campgrounds, sandy beaches, a picnic area and hiking trails. Saginaw Bay: Along the bay on Lake Huron, cities in the thumb and central Michigan offer docking, including Bay City, Caseville, Au Gres and Linwood, among others. The region offers fishing, restaurants, parks, shopping and summer festivals, with Saginaw on the Saginaw River, and Frankenmuth short a drive farther inland. Here are six places to boat on in Michigan, according to Pure Michigan: Great Lakes: Enjoy boating on the vast waters of four Great Lakes bordering Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Lake Leelanau in Leland: This lake is split into two sections, North and South Lake Leelanau, featuring clear waters and a natural habitat of nearly 9,000 acres. Boaters can enjoy wildlife spotting and recreation, with nearby restaurants and vineyards for dining. in southeast Michigan: This popular metro Detroit lake connects Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake Huron. Lake St. Clair sees 3,000 freighters go through its shipping canal, and 150,000 boats registered in the area for recreation. Grand Lake in Alpena: In northeast Michigan, this over 8,900-acre lake features several small islands. The nearby Besser Museum for northeast Michigan highlights the region's wooden sailing and motorized boats. Gull Lake in Battle Creek: This lake in southwest Michigan offers regular sailboat racing with a yacht club, scuba diving, homes and cottages along the shores and a fishery. Torch Lake resembles the Caribbean in its deep, multi-tone color. At 18 miles in length, Torch is Michigan's longest inland lake. Its sand bars are so legendary that musician Kid Rock wrote a song about them. Torch also is the state's deepest lake. The village of Alden, on the lake's southeast curve, boasts one of the few public beaches. Michigan's "Inland Waterway" cuts across the tip of the mitten, starting north of Petoskey and ending at Cheboygan. Michigan's longest chain of rivers and lakes covers nearly 40 miles, including Pickerel Lake and Crooked Lake, the Crooked River, Burt Lake, the Indian River, Mullett Lake, the Cheboygan River, and finally into Lake Huron. The water trails connect seven state parks; numerous campgrounds, day-use parks, and resorts; 20 Little Traverse Conservancy Nature Preserves, and six communities. Boats must be registered and you can do so through the Michigan Department of State. Some boats also require a title if they're 20 feet long or longer, or have a permanently affixed engine. More: Planning a beach trip? These 10 Michigan beaches are worth checking out Registration is good for three years, expiring on March 31 of the third year, according to the state. Boat owners can renew online, via mail, at a self-service station or in-person at your local Secretary of State office. Check with your local boating access site for hours and rules. Most state-sponsored sites are closed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., says the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Life jackets must be on board and the type and number depend on the type of boat you have and how many people are on board, the Michigan DNR says. If you plan to take a pet, check whether pets are allowed and how to handle them. In Michigan, pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash and under the owner's immediate control and you must clean up after them and prevent them from interacting with wildlife. More: New Motown Museum exhibit honors the life and career of musician-songwriter Hank Cosby If you plan to fish or water ski, be sure to check local regulations, some inland lakes prohibit certain activities. It's illegal to operate a boat in Michigan while under the influence of alcohol, according to state law. Boaters with a 0.08% blood alcohol content or higher could face civil penalties like fines and imprisonment. Some boating access sites in Michigan ban drinking alcohol, the Michigan DNR said. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan boating in 2025. Inland waterway, great lakes, marinas, rules
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Michigan has just 1 state park on Lake Erie. Why it's worth checking off your list
This summer, don't miss out on a trip to southeast Michigan to explore Lake Erie's shores at William C. Sterling State Park — Michigan's only state park located on the lake. The state park features 1 mile of sandy shoreline along the western coast of Lake Erie in Monroe County, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A trip to the Sterling State Park offers a chance to camp out, fish, swim, hike and more. "The park protects more than 500 acres of Great Lakes marsh and restored lake plain prairie habitat, and is well known for its access to walleye and perch fisheries," Pure Michigan says. Here's what to know. William C. Sterling State Park is Michigan's only state park along the Lake Erie shoreline. The state park is located along the western coast of Lake Erie near the city of Monroe in southeast Michigan. The park is about an hour south of Detroit and less than 30 minutes north of the Ohio border. The park is just minutes from River Raisin National Battlefield Park and the Ford Marsh unit of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The state park is connected to nearby River Raisin National Battlefield Park through the River Raisin Heritage Trail. The trail is currently undergoing upgrade work, set to finish in July 2025, the state park's website says. To visit the state park, you will need a Michigan recreation passport or a daily pass, the park's website says. Rates vary by vehicle type, and whether you're a Michigan resident or not. Recreation passports can be purchased when renewing your license plate registration at the Secretary of State or at a state park, recreation area or Michigan DNR customer service center, the DNR website says. If you're a Michigan library cardholder, you can also get a day trip to the park for free with the Michigan Activity Pass. This includes one night of camping for one vehicle, camping fees will still apply. At Sterling State Park, visitors can relax at sandy beaches and swim, paddle or kayak in Lake Erie. The park offers kayak rentals from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Vast nature offers opportunities for biking and hiking. You can reel in catches with shoreline or offshore fishing on Lake Erie, along with the Great Lake marsh and lagoons at the park, including walleye and perch. Hunting is available at the state park, though potential hunters should contact park officials for the rules, the park's website says. The park features a beach house with restrooms and changing stalls, a boat launch, fish cleaning station, observation platform on Marsh Trail, picnic area, picnic shelter and a playground. Recreational metal detecting is another option in part of the park, as long as its within state law and doesn't harm the park's natural and cultural resources. Park workers must look at any items found and may keep them for investigation. During the summer season, weekly nature programming takes place at the state park, with the 2025 schedule to be released soon. In the winter, the park offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. If you're looking for a longer stay, the state park includes the Sterling full-amenity cottages, 10 new cottages along the Lake Erie shoreline operated by Vista Recreation. The cottages sleep seven each, with bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen with supplies and appliances and more, though linen and towels are not provided. The Sterling modern campground provides a camping venue, with most sites paved and near the Lake Erie shoreline. Camping sites include 20 or 30 amp service and some 50 amp service, and sanitation stations. You can book your camping trip to Sterling State Park with online reservations through the Michigan DNR. Select Sterling as the park and pick the dates, number of people and equipment for your stay. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sterling State Park, Lake Erie: Michigan park worth visiting in 2025
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
10 of Michigan's most scenic hikes to take during the summer
If you like to hike, Michigan has more than 4,000 miles of state-designated trails that wind through old-growth forests and lead to waterfalls, mountain tops, sparkling lakes, white sand dunes and even past skyscraping urban office towers. The state has compiled a list of 10 of them. However, before you go, you should make sure you have a hiking plan, have researched the trail to make sure parts have not been closed or washed out, and let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. State-managed trails in a dozen northern Michigan counties, including parts of the eastern Upper Peninsula, have been closed following the severe ice storms earlier this year that downed trees and power lines. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, along with the Michigan National Guard, has been working to clear debris. Sometimes referred to as the North County National Scenic Trail, it is about 4,800 miles long. It stretches across eight states, from Vermont to North Dakota, with one of the longest segments running through the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. A popular segment goes through the Manistee National Forest. Parts of the trail, however, may be closed or impassable, as a result of a severe ice storm at the end of March, which downed trees. Difficulty: Level varies When completed, it is set to become one of the longest state trails in America. It starts — or ends depending on which way you go — at Detroit's Belle Isle Park, runs through Detroit, goes over the the Mackinac Bridge until it reaches the Upper Peninsula town of Ironwood. A section of the trail in Rochester, however, had been closed following a wash-out of about 150 feet of the pathway. Difficulty: Level varies It winds through Isle Royale National Park, one of the least-visited national parks because it is on a remote island. Once you are on the 43-mile trail, you'll have to filter your own water. It offers vistas of Lake Superior, white pine forests and granite outcroppings. You also might run into some moose. Difficulty: Hard It will take you by Au Sable Light Station, alongside Chapel Rock and Spray and Bridalveil Falls. It also shares what Pure Michigan calls a "picture-perfect route" with a stretch of the North Country Trail. It heads near Grand Marais or Munising. The Munising Falls trail in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has been temporarily closed. Difficulty: Moderate It is the most beautiful of the Sleeping Bears Dunes trails. The three-mile trek passes through wildflower-strewn meadows, paper birch forests and over rolling sand dunes. A short spur leads out to a Lake Michigan overlook. Difficulty: Moderate It offers an overview of the Porcupine Mountains, traveling from the Lake Superior shore through a scenic valley toward the Lake of the Clouds. The Escarpment Trail follows a ridge overlooking the Lake of the Clouds and the North Mirror Lake Trail leads to Mirror Lake, which is 1,532 feet above sea level. Difficulty: Hard The trail — or network of trails, actually — overlooks Saginaw Bay and offers views of the Pinnebog River and Channel, Lake Huron sand dunes and a chimney monument that is a reminder of the state's former lumber days. Port Crescent State Park, however, is closed through June 26 toimprove roads, water and sewer lines, electrical systems, the sanitation station and other park infrastructure. Difficulty: Easy Three looped trails in Alcona County named after Native American tribes link together. The trek offers hikers with an unspoiled shoreline, hidden bays and sugar sand beaches. The trails also tend to be lightly traveled so that means you might have those beautiful views all to yourself. Difficulty: Easy A relatively short circuit, about four miles, wends through hardwood forests in southwest Michigan, up and over dunes and opens up into "a jaw-dropping expanse of golden Lake Michigan beach," according to Pure Michigan. It also is popular in the fall. Difficulty: Moderate The five-mile, scenic loop in Livingston County is surrounded by rolling hills and inland lakes, and is covered by a canopy of maple and oak trees, which can help keep you cool in the summer and blot out the noise of the city. In the fall, the trail lights up with vibrant colors of hardwood tree leaves. The Bishop Lake Campground, however, is closed for road and electrical upgrades. Difficulty: Moderate Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's 10 most scenic hikes during the summer
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Munising Falls is closed. Here are 10 northern Michigan waterfalls you can visit instead.
Heavy spring runoff damaged the path to Munising Falls and forced the National Park Service to close the easy-to-view cascade, but Michigan still offers stunning views at waterfalls across the state that are just as easy to visit. The National Park Service has indefinitely closed the Munising Falls area after weather damage washed away about 75 feet of the trail to the falls. However, with more than 300 waterfalls statewide, Michigan continues to provide options to explore the cascading natural wonders, according to Pure Michigan. "Spring brings the roar of winter's melt, and in summer, weather that's perfect for falls-focused picnics and more," Pure Michigan's website says. Here's what to know. The 50-foot tall waterfall dives over a sandstone cliff in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The walk up to the falls is an 800-foot paved trail in a canyon along Munising Creek, and a viewing platform with two flights of stairs offers further views. The area includes benches, parking for cars, buses and RVs, toilet access, pet access and trash and recycling services. Heavy rains and melting snow washed away roughly 75 feet of the paved Munising Falls trail on April 28, according to the National Park Service. Due to the damage, there is currently no safe path to the 50-foot waterfall, the Detroit Free Press reported. Bond Falls is on the middle branch of the Ontonagon river, with a 50-foot-tall drop of several cascading layers. Located in southern Ontonagon County in the Upper Peninsula, the site provides a scenic tourist destination. Access includes roadside parking and picnic tables near the top of the falls and a paved trail to a 600-foot wooden boardwalk with multiple viewing locations. Ocqueoc Falls lies on the Ocqueoc River in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. To access the falls, park at the day-use area and walk the Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway to the viewing area. The Alpena Michigan website calls the falls the nation's first universally accessible falls. There's a paved trail from the parking lot to the waterfall, two accessible picnic areas and several accessible benches. The area includes around 6 miles of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, and a state forest campground with a hardwood forest. The 20-foot waterfall lies south of Munising in the Upper Peninsula. The site provides an accessible viewing spot just off M-94. Wagner Falls is accessible from a packed-gravel trail, boardwalk and steps leading to an observation platform 0.1 miles from the parking area. The site does not include restrooms or water access. Pets are allowed on a 6-foot leash under the control of their owner. The area includes a portion of the North Country Trail, which runs along M-94 and enters the Hiawatha National Forest 2 miles west of the site. The popular tourist destination includes the 200-foot wide, 48-foot tall upper Tahquamenon Falls, with the five lower falls about 4 miles downstream. Nicknamed the "root beer falls" due to the water's amber color, the waterfalls lie in the nearly 50,000-acre Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the Upper Peninsula. The state park features campgrounds, a boat launch, over 35 miles of trails and a variety of wildlife species. At the falls, there is parking within easy walking distance, as well as paved, wooden boardwalk and some natural trails. A new bridge above the lower falls allows visitors to access an island in the river without renting a boat. Within the Hiawatha National Forest, Scott Falls lies along M-28 in Alger County in the Upper Peninsula — easily visible from the road if you're watching for the small sign. The 10-foot-tall waterfall drops over a sandstone edge into a pool below right next to the highway. The falls are easily accessible from the highway and located across the road from H.J. Rathfoot Roadside Park. South of L'Anse, in Baraga County, Canyon Falls lies on the Sturgeon River. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Upper Peninsula, the site includes a 30-foot tall waterfall and slate gorge below the cascade. More: A 17-year cicada brood is set to emerge. Will Michigan hear the big-eyed insects? The falls can be reached from U.S. 41 at a roadside park, by hiking a short trail. The North Country Trail continues through the park and along the river. Parts of the trail are natural while others are wooden boardwalk. The Presque Isle River Waterfalls Loop Trail features three waterfalls within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula. All three falls are within a short walk from the road, there is a bridge over the river downstream and a state park campground nearby. These 25-foot-tall falls lie on the Presque Isle River within the state park. The site can be accessed from the Presque Isle entrance of CR-519 from the western end of the park. A walking path leads to steps at different levels, including an overlook at the top of the falls. These falls feature a total 20-foot drop along the Presque Isle River in the park. The name derives from the Ojibwe word meaning spirit or ghost. The site can be accessed from a hiking trail to a set of stairs with an overlook above the falls. These falls along the Presque Isle River within the park reach a height of 15 feet, low falls cascading over several layers of a rocky shelf. A short hiking trail and viewing platform provides access to the falls. There is parking at the falls. Located within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, these 50-foot tall falls can be found 10 miles northeast of Munising in the Upper Peninsula. The falls dive off the side of a cliff, surrounded by a forested area. More: Bird migration map 2025: How to track their journey to Michigan This waterfall is a 0.6 mile walk from the parking lot, located half a mile off Miners Castle Road. The area includes parking, a restroom, trash and recycling services, an information kiosk and more. The Detroit Free Press contributed. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Best waterfalls to visit in northern Michigan in 2025
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Springtime brings morel hunting in Michigan. What to know about the tasty mushrooms
As temperatures begin to climb across Michigan, morel enthusiasts soon will be heading into the woods to search for the tasty mushrooms. Like nearly all wild mushrooms, morels require certain conditions, including temperature and moisture, to grow, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said. Some years spring provides good conditions to produce morels, while others result in smaller yields. Warm and wet conditions are ideal for morel growth, while cold and dry conditions can result in a failure of the crop. Regardless of where they are found, morel mushrooms have become a springtime delicacy in Michigan and can become the star of numerous recipes, highlighting their earthy, nutty flavor. If you decide to head out and start morel hunting this spring, here's what you should know about morel mushrooms in Michigan. The white morel is the most common morel mushroom and is often called the white or gray morel. Its color varies from light cream to gray and to yellowish-brown depending on its habitat and age. Other species include black morel, half-free morel and burn-site morel. Detailed information about species can be found on the DNR's website. False morels are known as nonedible look-alike species and should not be eaten. The easiest way to check whether a mushroom is a false morel, is to check if the cap connects to the stalk. Free hanging varieties should not be eaten, the DNR warns. Morels can be found throughout Michigan, including both the Upper and Lower Peninsula. Morels can be unpredictable as to where they will grow from year to year, Joshua Nowicki wrote on the Pure Michigan website. They can be found in fields, forests, along the edges of paved roads, and in landscaping wood mulch. 'Once you have a location, the hunt really begins,' Nowicki said. The month of May is typically "morel month," According to Michigan's DNR, but the actual fruiting period is from late April until mid-June — depending on the location and the species of mushroom. No, there is no map to morel patches. And many morel lovers hate to share their favorite picking locations. However, large burn sites in forested areas tend to be ideal for morel mushroom hunting in Michigan and the DNR has created a 'Mi-Morels Map' showing large burn areas that have occurred within the past couple of years. Grassy and other non-forest areas are not as likely to produce morels, the DNR said. A detailed mushroom identification book can be helpful for those who are just starting their morel hunting adventure, or they can travel with someone who has experience with finding morel mushrooms. Be sure to carry a map, compass or GPS device to avoid getting lost off-trail. Dress appropriately for the weather, and for walking in forested/wooded areas. Be sure to keep your skin covered and wear boots or closed-toe shoes. Use a mesh bag or a basket to collect your mushrooms as these will allow the morels to stay dry. Plastic bags are not recommended as they can speed up decay. Beware of ticks. The DNR provides tips for choosing, collecting and handling mushrooms: Cut mushroom stems with a pocket knife to collect. Collect mushrooms in a mesh bag. Select only fresh, young mushrooms that show no wormholes, damage or decay. Clean mushrooms with a brush or by washing and drying thoroughly. Open lengthwise to check for any bugs that may be inside. Refrigerate collected mushrooms in a paper bag. "Morels have a distinct flavor unlike any other, and won't taste like supermarket mushrooms. The flavor is delicate and easily diminished by overseasoning," the DNR said. Morel mushrooms tossed with a little flour and sautéed in butter is perhaps the simplest way to enjoy the seasonal delicacy. Other recipes can include morels with pasta, made into a cream sauce or as a pizza topping. The Midwest American Mycological Information offers a workshop program that, if successfully completed, will qualify you as an expert mushroom identifier who can then legally sell wild-foraged mushrooms in Michigan, the USDA said. Once completed, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will provide certification for people to lawfully broker select wild-foraged Michigan mushrooms. Michigan's Food Code requires that mushroom species picked in the wild must be obtained from sources where each mushroom is individually inspected and found to be safe by an approved mushroom identification expert. MAMI offers an online map showing the growing season of Michigan mushrooms as well as which species are edible. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Morel mushroom hunting season coming soon to Michigan: What to know
