Category: Michigan
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The Red Lights of Muskegon
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There’s something special about red lighthouses. Maybe it’s because there aren’t very many of them around. Maybe it’s because of their story. Regardless of the reason, the red Muskegon Lighthouses are some of my favorite lighthouses to visit.
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A Surprising Waterfall: Schweitzer Falls
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Hidden in the quiet of Palmer, Michigan is a surprising waterfall. Schweitzer Falls is a roaring two-tiered, 20 foot-tall waterfall. It’s impressive width and heavy volume of water makes it a gem.
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100 Years of Michigan State Parks
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On May 12th, one hundred years ago, the Michigan State Park Commission set out to create wonderful recreational spaces that visitors could enjoy and be closer to the beauty of Michigan.
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Pictured Rocks most Iconic View: Miners Castle
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One of the most iconic views of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Miners Castle offers visitors stunning views and a glimpse into the rich history of the area.
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The Rugged Hike to Pinnacle Falls
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There is nothing easy about Pinnacle Falls. Just getting to the parking area can be a challenge. Winding dirt roads with few to no signs marking the way. But for those with the spirit of adventure, Pinnacle Falls is well worth the trek.
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Why We Love Dispersed Camping in Manistee National Forest
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The isolation of dispersed camping is the perfect cure to the hustle of every day. It’s remote, quiet, and provides campers with the opportunity to reconnect with nature. From his previous years of backpacking, Steve was already hooked on dispersed camping but I had not experienced it until 2010. I…
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The Guiding Light of Frankfort
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There is nothing fancy about the Frankfort Light. It is a simple, pyramidal tower built in 1912. At 67 feet, its neither the tallest nor shortest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. There is nothing fancy about the town it resides in or the harbor it watches over. Yet for some…
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A Rewarding Hike to Bulldog Falls
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The Yellow Dog River is well known for it’s impressive Yellow Dog Falls. However, it is deep within the boundaries of the McCormick Wilderness Area that the river truly shines. Bulldog Falls is one of the many waterfalls along Yellow Dog River and one of the most impressive. With several…
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Hiking to Horseshoe Harbor
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Nestled at the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is the small town of Copper Harbor. Copper Harbor is well known for its stunning vistas, beautiful hiking trails, and wild terrain. Horseshoe Harbor is all of these things accessed by one short hike. The Mary Mcdonald Preserve was originally established in…
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Ocqueoc Falls: A Lower Peninsula Surprise
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Tucked away in farm country is a small but elegant waterfall known as Ocqueoc Falls. The falls are located 11 miles west of Roger City on the Ocqueoc River. It a provides the perfect place for an afternoon of hiking, swimming, and relaxation. Because of ease of access, it’s likely…
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Trail Running at Fenner Nature Center
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Easy Fenner Nature Center is a unique location within the city of Lansing that provides people with the opportunity to experience nature. This environmental education center contains 134 acres of publicly accessible green space. This includes roughly 4 miles of trails that wind through maple groves and prairie lands. Wildlife is…
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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Sable Falls
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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is known for its stunning rock formations, massive cliffs, and elegant waterfalls. It is an outdoor adventurers dream paradise. Nature’s finest. Sable Falls is no exception. Located on the east side of the park near Grand Marais, Sable Falls drops over 75 feet over sandstone formations…
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The Awe-Inspiring Grand Sable Dunes
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From the sandy beaches on the Great Lakes to the massive dunes that tower above them, Michigan has some incredibly beautiful sandscapes. When you mention these sandy terrains to someone from Michigan, it’s likely that they think of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes or Silver Lake Sand Dunes. But the…
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A Roadside Stop: Jacob’s Falls
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Michigan has few roadside waterfalls that compare with the beauty of Jacob’s Falls. Located about 3 miles east of Eagle River in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, Jacob’s Falls provides something for everyone. From tt’s roadside convenience of it’s final drop to the more adventurous upper drops, this waterfall allows people of all…
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Camping at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
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If you’re looking for a campground in the Copper Harbor area, you’ll quickly find that your options are limited. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park is one of three options currently available for campers and in my opinion, has the best to offer for what you pay. The park itself features…
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Hiking to Hunter’s Point
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While not the best views in the area, Hunter’s Point provides a quick stop with some interesting sights. Located just west of Copper Harbor, Hunter’s Point is a 9.4 acre of land that juts out into Lake Superior. It has pebbly beaches (and trails) with some nice views of basalt…
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Visiting Dead River Falls
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Running 43.2 miles through Marquette County, the Dead River is home to several very impressive waterfalls. The falls known as Dead River Falls are located just outside of Marquette, Michigan. Three of the falls are over 15 feet in height. All of them are rugged and beautiful. While the hike…
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Hiking Hogback Mountain
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Considered Marquette’s second most popular summit, Hogback Mountain’s rugged terrain, hemlock forests, and stunning views make this an incredible hike. While the trail is well marked, getting to the summit of Hogback isn’t easy. It is a strenuous hike across bare bluffs and up steep mountainside. The first half of…
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A Winter Visit: Black River Falls
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Bobbling frozen bubbles and a roaring winter waterfalls. Not quite an enchanting winter scene but definitely nature making a statement. Black River Falls is a steep, wide chute nestled between two large outcroppings. Reaching 20 feet in height, this single drop waterfall it is not the tallest in Marquette County, but it…
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Bushwhacking to Mulligan Falls
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Mulligan Falls is one of those remote, wild waterfalls that has no easy access point. There are no established trails through the overgrown banks, not even a game path. But at 40 feet in height and with multiple drops, all different from the last, the incentive is too good to pass…
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Two Favorite Waterfalls of Marquette County
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Marquette County is a waterfall explorer’s dream. With all different types and sizes, we never know what we might run across. Morgan Falls and Carp River Falls are two that offered us plenty of surprises. Located at the end of Morgan Creek, Morgan Falls tumbles 20 feet over a volcanic…
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Michigan’s Finest: Point Betsie Lighthouse
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With 3,200 miles of shoreline, it’s no wonder why Michigan claims more lighthouses than any other state in the country. Point Betsie is one of the most unique and arguably the most beautiful of them all. Built in 1858, Point Bestie is one of the oldest lighthouses in Michigan and the…
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McCormick Wilderness Area & the West Branch Yellow Dog Falls
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Upon approach, the McCormick Wilderness trailhead looks like any other. However, before embarking on your hike, you must leave detailed information about where you are going, how long you will be there, and your emergency contact information. Why? Because the trails are unmarked and it is easy to get lost.…
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The Beautiful Quartzite Falls
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It is well known by now that we love everything about Slate River. From its towering slate walls to it’s unique, rugged river bed. With Slate River, there is always something special around the bend. In 2015, Steve and I visited Black Slate Falls for the first time. This waterfall…
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UPDATED: Top 15 Favorite Michigan Waterfalls
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It’s been nearly two years since we compiled our list of our favorite Michigan Waterfalls. While we still have not seen all 272, we have crossed a dozen or so more off of our list and thought it was about time we update our list. These are our top 15…