Hike and Bike the North Country Trail
The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. and stretches from North Dakota to New York, passing through Northern Michigan.
Photo by Jimmy Conover on Unsplash.com
Sliding down a snow covered hill on a sled is pure fun. Kids love it. Adults love it. Dogs love to chase the sleds. Sledding–a winter activity that always brings smiles. And ice skating? Gliding across the frozen surface is pure exhilaration.
In Northern Michigan, sledding and ice skating is waiting for you. Get the sleds out, sharpen the blades on the skates, put on the cold weather clothes and head to hills!
Kiwanis Park has a sledding hill, space for beginning skiers and snowboarders, and warming hut at the top of the hill where parents and grandparents can watch. Kiwanis Park is located at 11 N, Arbor St. (off East Lake Street), Harbor Springs.
The Harbor Springs SK8 Park is located at 740 E. Main Street (M-119), Harbor Springs. It is converted to an ice skating rink in the winter and is located right next store to Kiwanis Park.
The Winter Sports Park in Petoskey has been the place for family winter fun for 80 years. The park offers a sledding hill and beginning ski and snowboard hill plus an ice rink. The warming hut at the bottom of the hill is a great place for hot chocolate in between sledding runs. It’s located at 1100 Winter Park Ln., Petoskey.
Avalanche Mountain Preserve is a year ’round setting for hiking, biking, disc golf, sledding, and ice skating. The preserve’s 300 wooded acres turns into a winter delight when the snow covers the grounds. Sledders and skaters can sled or skate at any time and the warming house offers respite from the cold. Avalanche Mountain Preserve is located at 1129 Wilson St., Boyne City.
Mount McSauba in Charlevoix has been greeting winter lovers since 1956. Families come to downhill and cross country ski, sled and ice skate. And the view from the top? Stunning! It offers six runs, four rope tows, lighted skiing and a free-lighted sledding hill. Sledders, skiers, skaters, snowboarders, snowbladers and snowshoers all head to Mount McSauba. Equipment is available for rental. Hours are Monday-Thursday 5-9pm, Friday 6-9pm, Saturday 12-4pm and 6-9pm, and Sunday 12-5pm and 12-8pm during Christmas vacation. Mount McSauba is located at the corners of Pleasant Street. and McSauba Road. 231-547-3267.
Walloon Lake has a new outdoor rink this year on the waterfront next to the Barrell Back restaurant. Free skate rentals are available. The rink is open daily as weather conditions permit.
The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. and stretches from North Dakota to New York, passing through Northern Michigan.
In Northern Michigan, you’ll find lighthouses where lighthouse keepers once lived and worked that have been restored and are open to visitors.
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.
Take a beautiful color tour as you travel under a tunnel of colorful trees along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.
Visit the Deer Park in Harbor Springs to see deer up close. Fun for the entire family.
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.
Founded in 1875, Bay View in Petoskey is a National Historic Landmark community with community-owned buildings, cottages, and two inns.
Bicyclists, walkers, and roller bladers can go from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix on the 26-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway.
The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix’s rich history.