Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfort
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
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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.
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
The colorful attire and crazy antics of the Scottville Clown Band amuse people, but they also have extraordinary musical talent.
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Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.
A magnificent display of color; the Northern Lights can be viewed at the right time of year at the right place in West Michigan!
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.
Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
Agriculture plays a large role in the economics of Mason County. Take this self-guided tour to learn about agriculture in Mason County.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Traverse City Opera House has a 700-seat theater which offers a place for quality arts and cultural entertainment.