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Northern Michigan Outdoor Adventures: Trails, Dunes & Rivers

Guides and tips about Outdoor Adventures for your Northern Michigan vacation

With its dunes, forests and shoreline, Northern Michigan is an outdoor playground. This guide highlights the best hikes — from the towering Sleeping Bear Dunes near Glen Arbor to quiet state-park trails — plus cycling routes, kayaking and canoeing on the rivers and inland lakes, and the parks worth a day trip from your cabin. Base your adventures near Glen Arbor and the national lakeshore.

Latest Articles in Outdoor Adventures

State Parks of Northern Michigan: A Cabin-Goer's Map
Outdoor Adventures

State Parks of Northern Michigan: A Cabin-Goer's Map

July 21, 2026

Five northern Michigan state parks worth building a cabin trip around — plus which base puts you closest to all of them.

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Fishing in Northern Michigan: Where to Cast Up North
Outdoor Adventures

Fishing in Northern Michigan: Where to Cast Up North

July 13, 2026

Discover the best northern Michigan fishing: walleye on Houghton Lake, brown trout on the Au Sable River, and more. Plan your fishing cabin trip Up North.

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ORV & Off-Road Riding at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Outdoor Adventures

ORV & Off-Road Riding at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes

July 5, 2026

Plan your visit to Silver Lake Sand Dunes — Michigan's only open-dune ORV area, with 450 acres of coastal sand beside Silver Lake and Lake Michigan.

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Au Sable River Kayaking & Canoeing: Grayling to Oscoda
Outdoor Adventures

Au Sable River Kayaking & Canoeing: Grayling to Oscoda

June 30, 2026

Kayak or canoe Michigan's Au Sable River: Grayling outfitters, top sections from Holy Waters to Oscoda, seasonal tips, and riverside cabin stays.

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The Best Hiking Trails Near Traverse City
Outdoor Adventures

The Best Hiking Trails Near Traverse City

June 25, 2026

Discover the best hiking trails near Traverse City: the VASA network, Boardman Lake loop, Pyramid Point, Power Island, and Leelanau State Park.

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Au Sable River Fishing: Trout, Steelhead & Holy Waters
Outdoor Adventures

Au Sable River Fishing: Trout, Steelhead & Holy Waters

June 24, 2026

Holy Waters fly fishing near Grayling, steelhead below Foote Dam, and fall salmon at the Oscoda mouth — a guide to Michigan's Au Sable River.

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Hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Trails & Tips
Outdoor Adventures

Hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Trails & Tips

June 21, 2026

A guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes hiking: the Dune Climb, Empire Bluff, and the best trails by distance and difficulty, plus passes, pets, and tips.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hikes in Northern Michigan?

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near Glen Arbor is the headline — the Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive overlooks are unforgettable. Beyond that, the state parks around Higgins Lake, Ludington and Hartwick Pines offer everything from gentle nature trails to longer forest hikes.

Can I kayak or canoe near my cabin?

Yes — the inland lakes and rivers are made for paddling. The Au Sable River near Oscoda and the Inland Waterway around Indian River are classic canoe and kayak routes, and most lake towns have outfitters and easy launches close to the cabins.

Are there good cycling routes Up North?

Northern Michigan has a growing network of paved trails, including routes around Traverse City and the TART trails, plus quiet country roads through cherry and wine country. Many vacationers bring bikes or rent them in town to explore between beach and trail days.

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