The Headlands: An International Dark Sky Park
The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.
Photo by Stéphane Bernard on Unsplash.com
Haven’t been in a kayak yet? You are missing a fabulous experience. Northern Michigan has so many varied settings for kayaking. River kayaking lets the current carry you through wooded settings. Our many inland lakes can provide anything from calm and serene to wild and rolling depending on the day.
And then there is kayaking on Lake Michigan. What an experience it is to quietly move across the water.
Kayaking is becoming extremely popular and with good reason. It is not complicated to learn, and is very affordable. Kayaks of varying styles and versatility help make the kayaking experience enjoyable. Each summer in Northern Michigan, more and more kayaks can be seen on tops of cars as they head to the waterfront.
The communities of Northern Michigan have embraced this sport. Harbor Springs, for example, has a kayaking launching dock at Josephine Ford Park. Kayak rentals are available that let families try the sport. A two-person kayak is perfect for exploring the beaches. Pack a picnic and head out on the water in a kayak!
In Petoskey, the Bear River Valley Whitewater Park has quickly become a premier destination in the Midwest for whitewater kayaking.
Every August, the Coastal Crawl swims take place from Zorn Park beach to Harbor Point and back and volunteers in kayaks patrol the route of the swimmers to alert boaters to their presence. It is a glorious scene to see the harbor lined with kayaks.
Walk the docks on Harbor Springs or Petoskey and you’ll see kayakers gliding along the water enjoying another perfect day in Northern Michigan.
The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.
Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
The history of the fur trade in Northern Michigan is captured at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.
McGulpin Rock, near Mackinaw City, has been used as a navigational tool by explorers and mariners since before the Pilgrims landed.