Grand Traverse Lighthouse
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
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The West Michigan area is a popular location for paddle sports. With so many small lakes and rivers, there are numerous exciting places to explore on the water. Experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, views of dunes, wetlands, blue skies, and many forms of wildlife. What better way to spend your day than floating down the river or exploring the edges of the lake? You’ll see all kinds of critters, including many species of birds, fish, turtles, deer, and so much more. Here are some great places to start exploring:
The Ludington State Park is a favorite park of the area, thanks to the abundance of natural resources. Over 5,000 acres of land including wooded area, marshland, rivers, shoreline, and dunes make up the Ludington State Park. Explore Hamlin Lake and the surrounding waterways, starting from the State Park canoe and kayak trails.
The Pere Marquette River near Scottville is a favorite fishing, canoeing, and kayaking destination for locals and visitors alike. The moderately fast current, clear water, and low degree of stream bank development have all helped to make this river a mecca for those who canoe or kayak. 64 miles of river twist and turn all the way from Lake County south of Baldwin to Pere Marquette Lake and into Lake Michigan.
The quaint harbor town of Pentwater has a variety of waterways to explore. Paddle the forks, estuary, and the head of Pentwater Lake on a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board. Didn’t bring a vessel? No problem. Pentwater area businesses offer kayak, canoe, or SUP rentals!
A favorite vacation spot for locals and visitors, Hamlin Lake is a wonderful destination for boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. Since the lake is much smaller than Lake Michigan, Hamlin Lake typically has much warmer water temperatures. Hamlin Lake offers so many neat areas to explore on a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board, including upper Hamlin Lake and three different bayous. Grab your vessel and start exploring! If you don’t own a canoe or kayak, there are businesses on the lake that rent them.
Located in Kalkaska and Grand Traverse Counties, the Boardman River has 160 miles of river and tributaries. The river is 287 square feet in total and makes up a third of the water of Grand Traverse Bay. The river is very popular for recreation, especially fishing, since it is considered to be in the top ten trout streams in Michigan.
The Manistee River runs about 190 miles through northwest Michigan with many smaller sections of river that branch off the Manistee River and Manistee Lake. A section of the Manistee River between the Tippy Dam near Wellston and the Village of Mesick offers 30 miles of wildlife and excellent canoeing conditions. It’s a good section of river to explore if you have 2-3 days to commit to a canoeing and camping trip. If you are only looking for a day trip, try the stretch between the Tippy Dam and stop at the Red Bridge River Access, it’s about 5 miles long and could be completed in 2-3 hours.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
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Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
West Michigan is home to wineries galore! Enjoy a wine tasting tour and sample award winning wines.
Created in 1980, this trail has 1,000 miles running through Michigan, which also runs through the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
The Traverse City Opera House has a 700-seat theater which offers a place for quality arts and cultural entertainment.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
Visit the new Value of Sports Museum located at Historic White Pine Village just a short drive from Ludington.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.