10 Best Small Towns in Michigan for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Michigan is a four-season state where everyone can enjoy the outdoors in spring, summer, fall, and winter. From nature preserves and rails-to-trails to one of the largest fresh-water systems on earth, there is something to do outside for any adventure level. Michigan’s small towns seem to be plopped down into the middle of Mother Nature’s backyard.
Whether you are hiking on a wooded trail leading to a surprise clearing with a cascading waterfall like the Hungarian Falls, downhill skiing on Mont Ripley that rivals the steepness of the ski resorts out west, or kayaking next to towering sandstone cliffs, these small towns throughout the mitten state pull out all the stops for you to enjoy the best outdoor adventure and discover the diverse natural beauty of Michigan.
Rochester
Rochester, Michigan, is the type of small town people love to visit due to its charismatic Main Street that welcomes visitors all year and the bountiful nature areas. The 40-acre Rochester Municipal Park has a winding paved path around the park, with Paint Creek passing through it and a large pond with fountains, fish, and ducks. The Paint Creek Trail, the first non-motorized Rail-to-Trail in Michigan, has several access points in Rochester along its 8.9-mile route.
The Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve is a side chute from Paint Creek Trail that offers more wooded paths to wander with occasional glimpses of woodland creatures. Rochester also has numerous golf courses within 45 miles of the downtown that eclipse all levels of golfers, including the PGA, LPGA, Ryder Cup, and more.
Gaylord
The middle of Michigan offers thrilling winter activities for those willing to brave the cold outdoors. Gaylord is known for being the premium central spot for snowmobiling in the state, with over 500 miles of packed lake-effect snow that can take you in any direction. If getting behind the wheel isn’t your style, there is snowshoeing, ice-fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, and winter rafting trips down the Sturgeon River to keep you busy. During the warmer months, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails to discover, lakes and rivers to swim in, and elk to see, especially in the fall.
Petoskey
Petoskey is a charming small town with visitors searching for the infamous Petoskey Stone on the beaches of Petoskey State Park. When not hunting for that elusive fossil, visitors can walk in Ernest Hemingway’s footsteps and stay at Red Fox Inn, have a cup of coffee at Horton Bay General Store, and explore Charles Farm and Greensky Hill Indian Methodist Church.
Whether spending time outdoors discovering the Thorne Swift Nature Preserve with its trails, dunes, and ponds; the Bear River Valley Recreation Area with its forest wooded trails and whitewater rapids; McCune Nature Preserve filled with red pines, creeks, and meadows; or walking through a Lavender field, Petoskey has a diverse natural environment for everyone to enjoy.
Empire
Empire has one of the biggest sand dunes in Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Imagine flipping off your shoes and climbing barefoot up the Dune Climb, reaching the top, then turning around to run carefree down the hill over and over. Besides the Dune Climb, there is the Maritime Museum and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, with numerous pull-offs to explore the diverse nature of the dunes, like the short 1.5-mile Cottonwood Trail and the Lake Michigan overlook. There is a 450 foot drop that looks easy to reach the clear blue Great Lakes water below, although it takes twice as long to climb back up. Glen Haven is also nearby with its 1920s General Store, Blacksmith, and the Cannery Boathouse with restored old boats.
Boyne Falls
For those who love winter sports, Boyne Mountain has 415 acres of skiable area up to 500 feet, a good size for a ski resort in the Midwest. With 60 trails and 12 lifts, skiers and snowboarders will love shushing down the snow-covered runs at Boyne. There is also over two miles of snowshoeing trails.
During the warmer months, there is kayaking on Deer Lake, hiking and mountain biking on the numerous trails, scenic chair lifts, and fall tubing. Plus, don’t forget to walk across over 1,000 feet of the world’s longest timber tower suspension bridge, SkyBridge Michigan, for stunning views of Boyne Falls.
Mackinac Island
This car-free island is the perfect summer weekend getaway for outdoor enthusiasts, with over 70 miles of trails to explore by foot or bicycle. The most popular route around the island is the 8.3-mile loop that goes by the Arch Rock formation, standing 146 feet above Lake Huron and the Pontiac Trail, providing stunning views of the Mackinac Bridge.
Other outdoor activities include horseback riding and kayaking around Mackinac Island. If exploring by foot, visit the Original Butterfly House, discover Fort Mackinac, have afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel, or ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Grand Marais
Grand Marais is jam-packed with outdoor activities for a small town. The South and North Gemini Lake State Forest Campgrounds are perfect for exploring the area. Historian adventurers will love visiting the Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge Inner and Outer Lights, the Lightkeeper’s House Museum, and the Au Sable Light Station, showcasing the importance of these lighthouses for Michigan’s Great Lakes vessels.
Grand Marais also offers visitors plenty of opportunities for swimming, enjoying the beach, kayaking, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Not to mention seeing Sable Falls, Log Slide Overlook, and the Pickle Barrel House Museum. Hikers will love access to the North Country Trail that spans over 4,600 miles from North Dakota to Vermont, passing through Grand Marais.
Munising
West of Grand Marais, Munising is a spectacular Michigan summer destination with amazing scenery, exhilarating hiking trails that give you a front-row seat to stunning waterfalls, and epic sunsets along the Pictured Rocks. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is 15 miles of colorful sandstone cliffs towering above Lake Superior. The best way to see them is from the water, whether on a kayak or the popular boat cruises
The North Country Trail also runs through the National Lakeshore above the cliffs, which you can follow to Miners Castle. Munising also has several waterfalls close to downtown, like Munising Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Memorial Falls, Miners Falls, Wagner Falls, and many more.
Houghton
Houghton is known as the campus of Michigan Technological University. However, it is also a great outdoor destination with numerous hiking, walking, and running trails, a fantastic ski hill at Mont Ripley, and direct access to Portage Lake. The trails on the campus are even wonderful in the winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Water lovers will enjoy paddling under the Portage Lift Bridge, and there are excellent fishing locations around Houghton.
Nara Nature Park offers over 50 miles of trails, an elevated boardwalk along the Pilgrim River banks, and a great sledding hill for families. Houghton is also a great base for outdoor enthusiasts to explore Isle Royale National Park, Copper Harbor, or Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Calumet
Not far from Houghton, Calumet is a wonderful base to explore outdoor adventures. Calumet was the center of Michigan’s mining industry back in the day. Today, the Upper Peninsula’s copper mining history can be found at the Coppertown USA Mining Museum. Also, visit the Calumet Theater to encounter maybe the ghosts that still roam inside. Between Calumet and the town of Hancock is McLain State Park, which is 443 acres of Lake Superior waterfront, hiking trails, kayaking and fishing opportunities for trout and salmon, and camping. Other places to explore are the Delaware Copper Mine, the fall colors on Brockway Mountain, waterfalls, or Mount Bohemia for skiing.
Surrounded by the Great Lakes, water sports and boating are only the tip of what Michigan’s small towns offer year-round outdoor enthusiasts. You can find plenty of outdoor activities in Michigan, with thousands of miles of hiking and biking trails, National Lakeshores, waterfalls, ski resorts, and snowmobiling runs. Whether in the Lower or Upper Peninsula, these small towns have forests, rivers, and trails ready to welcome you to explore the natural beauty of Michigan.
