Our Trails Take You Farther! 2020 1. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park 11. Rockport State Recreation Area 19. Hoist Lakes Foot Travel Area Northeast Michigan Council of Governments. of Council Michigan Northeast Located along the clear blue expanse of Lake A state-designated Dark Sky Preserve Hoist Lakes encompasses over 10,000 acres by provided Photo Trail. Sunrise Huron Photo: Cover www.discovernortheastmichigan.org Michigan, the Headlands has exceptional natural located on the shores of Lake Huron, of pine, aspen, and hardwood forests. Over darkness, starry skies and natural nocturnal Rockport includes a deep-water protected 20 miles of looped trails wind through small Governments. of Council Michigan Northeast the by design guide Map habitat. Dark Skies programs are available. The harbor, an old limestone quarry of pothole lakes and areas of beaver flooding Park contains pristine woodlands, more than 2 approximately 300 acres, a unique series of as well as over and around hills and ridges. Transportation. of Department Michigan the and Program Byways Scenic National miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline sinkholes, a dedicated Natural Area (Besser Hunting and fishing are permitted in- Administration, Highway Federal the by provided was project this for assistance Financial and many species of rare and endangered plant Natural Area) and a broad range of land season. The Hoist Lakes Area is home to life. Visitors to the Headlands may experience types, vegetative cover, cultural resources white-tail deer, black bear, raccoon, red fox, sightings of the many wild animals native to and recreation opportunities. Visitors will coyote, beaver, otter, mink, badger, skunk, the area including: bald eagles, osprey, white enjoy over 23 miles of hiking, biking, and Photos courtesy of Friends of Rockport and squirrel. North Hoist Lake is home to Photo courtesy of the Alcona Heritage Route Team tail deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and occasionally equestrian trails at Rockport! Location: Turn east from US 23 onto Rockport Road. bass and sunfish while South Hoist Lake is a a black bear. Marked nature trails guide hikers, michigan.gov/rockport designated trout lake and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Byron Lake offers cross-country skiers, and nature photographers 12. North Eastern State Trail good bass and perch fishing. National Forest Service vehicle pass is required. Location: to experience the park throughout the changing On the west side of M-65 approximately 22 miles west of Harrisville. seasons. The “Beach House” and the “Guest House” fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recarea/?recid=18798 are available for rental. youtube.com/us23heritageroute youtube.com/us23heritageroute Located west of Mackinaw This 71-mile trail is surfaced in smooth, recreation)! winter highlights (which Silence emmetcounty.org/ City along Headlands Road. Photo courtesy of Emmet County crushed limestone and offers an extended 20. Shore to Shore Trail and Marsh, Tuttle Creek, Mill Historic Ocqueoc, of Spirit The Alley, Shipwreck including parks-recreation/the-headlands-an-international-dark-sky-park journey through some of the most remote, mini-documentaries our watch to Channel Tube You our visit to code QR the Use unpopulated areas of the state. The trail Documentaries Short 2. Mackinaw Historical Pathway follows an old Detroit & Mackinaw Railway The Michigan Shore to Shore Trail is over A self-guided walking tour through Mackinaw City includes more than 50 line, first developed in the late 1800s to 220 miles long that connects Lake Huron to historical markers. The pathway winds through the city and includes information www.heritage23.org ship Michigan’s vast supplies of timber to Lake Michigan. Primarily used by horseback along the way about the area’s history as the Crossroads of the Great Lakes. The riders, the trail is also open to foot traffic. The points beyond. What loggers didn’t haul 23! on see to more there’s remember, and, today trip your plan So, Forest. National numbered trail begins at the corner of Central Avenue and Huron Street then out was left on the ground, setting the trail features horse camps complete with Huron the through River AuSable mighty the along winds Byway....which Scenic continues south on Huron Street to the State Dock, north along the waterfront to stage for devastating forest fires in the privies and wells at approximately 18 to 25 National Road River the is Oscoda in Route Heritage 23 US the to coast....connecting Old Mackinac Point Historic Lighthouse and Colonial Michilimackinac. The trail mile intervals. Most of the camps overlook the on just aren’t adventures the And treasures. hidden other many and dining, golf, early 20th century and turning entire towns Photo courtesy of Top of Michigan Trails Council ends along Nicolet Street and Central Avenue. Along the Historical Pathway, attractions, culture, art, towns, small shipwrecks, museums, trails, parks, lighthouses, into ash. Many of the towns were never rebuilt. The most recent owners of the line, lakes or rivers. The east segment of the Shore visitors can also learn more about the Mackinaw City area history using cell to Shore Trail begins in Oscoda and generally wetlands, forests, water, boasts shoreline Huron Lake northern The Peninsula. Lower Detroit and Mackinac Railway, abandoned operations in 1992, allowing the right-of- Photo courtesy of Michigan Trail Riders Association phones to access the Audio Tour. Signs along the route include a telephone Michigan’s in sites cultural and historical ecological, recreational, significant and extensive way to be turned over to outdoor recreation. The trail passes through the hearts of parallels the AuSable River (south of the number to call. The audio tour also can be used at the Icebreaker Mackinaw, most the of some offers Byway, Michigan Pure official an Route, Heritage 23 US the City, small communities as well as near state parks and recreation sites, boat launches and river). Some sections of the Shore to Shore Trail share segments with snowmobile trails. Headlands, McGulpin Point Lighthouse, and the Heritage Village. Mackinaw to coastline Huron Lake the up miles 200 winding and Standish in Beginning campgrounds. It also passes through a number of remote areas and incredible scenery The Shore to Shore Trail has spurs which travel north into Cheboygan County and south US 23 Heritage Route Heritage 23 US The toward Cadillac. Paper maps of the Shore to Shore Trail can be obtained from the from lakeshores, forests, waterways and wildlife. Location: Trailhead in Cheboygan with 3. North Country Trail Michigan Trail Riders Association. Sections of the trail are often re-routed due to logging, The North Country Trail is a scenic hiking trail that stretches 4,600 miles from restrooms, parking and a shelter (also serves the North Central State Trail). At the southern wind damage, water encroachment, etc, so be aware and follow the confidence markers North Dakota to Vermont. The trail extends 1,150 miles through Michigan; end, the route connects to the Alpena Bi-Path via Woodward Avenue on the north end of (blue dots, triangles, arrows, etc). passing through the UP, across the Straits of Mackinac, down the western side Alpena. trailscouncil.org/north-eastern-state-trail-michigan Location: Trailheads are found at various locations. mtra.org of the Lower Peninsula, and heading southeast towad Ohio across southern 13. Alpena Bi-Path Contact the Michigan Trail Riders for more detailed information. Michigan. northcountrytrail.org 21. Highbanks Trail 4. North Western State Trail The Alpena Bi-Path is a beautiful city- The North Western State Trail runs from Petoskey north to Mackinaw City along wide paved pathway for both walking and A short 7-mile trek along the bluffs of the the former Grand Rapids and Indiana line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This is biking. It’s a great way to see the City of Au Sable River will provide some of the best a multi-use trail open to all non-motorized uses year-round and snowmobiles Alpena! The Bi-Path connects almost every and most dramatic views of the river, where from December 1 to March 31. Location: Trailhead is located in Mackinaw City. park in the city as well as many of the other snowshoers and skiers will be able to look trailscouncil.org/north-western-state-trail attractions including the Besser Museum, over the river valley with clear views almost Thunder Bay Recreation Center, Marina, the to Lake Huron in some spots. The trail has 5. North Central State Trail Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary access areas and parking at Iargo Springs and many more. The parks provide great and Lumberman’s Monument (accessed spots to park a car and head out on the trail off River Road National Scenic Byway). The 62-mile North Central State Photo of bridge to Island Park courtesy of Alpena CVB Trail offers a multi-use trail by foot or bike. Shipwreck buoys are viewable The grounds of these sites are open in the adventure into Michigan’s north from the Maritime Heritage Trail (part of the Bi-Path system). Included within the Bi- winter, but the sites are not maintained and woods with connections to well- Path system is Island Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, a 17-acre Island jewel surrounded by no toilet facilities are available. The trail is established tourist towns at both the Thunder Bay River which winds through 500 acres of back waters and low islands. not groomed but is maintained by the US ends. Northern Michigan scenery - Located in the heart of the City of Alpena, several footpaths wind along the island’s Forest Service and Corsair Trail Council from hilly agricultural fields, quaint perimeter and interior which lead joggers, walkers, photographers, fishermen, and – this means the trail is well-marked and little towns, forests, lakes and rivers nature lovers through varied ecosystems including sand dunes, meadows, woodlands, cleared of fallen trees.