Family camping vacations are a great way to get out into nature and appreciate the beauty of the world, but your campsite is only just the beginning! Hiking is one of the most popular activities to pair with a camping trip. In fact, hiking trips are on the rise: more than 38 million Americans went hiking in 2014, an increase from the 29.2 million who said they’d gone in 2008.
While there are places to hike all across the country, one state with an enormous array of sights and trails is Michigan. From the shores of Lake Erie to the vast expanse of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan campgrounds provide access to incredible hiking opportunities right in your own backyard. Here are five of our favorite spots to get out for a walk while you are camping in Michigan.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreThe high dunes and bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan are unlike any other in this region. Many of the hikes are steep but well worth the effort for the view at the end.
- Huron-Manistee National ForestThis park boasts nearly 1 million acres of land and over 5,000 acres of wetlands in the northern part of the lower peninsula. It’s a great spot for leaf-peeping in the fall or even snowshoeing in the winter.
- North Country TrailA good portion of this 4,600-mile trail passes through Michigan, with access points near Lowell, Marquette, Fife Lake, and more. Follow the trail long enough and you might end up in New York or Montana in either direction!
- Pictured Rocks National LakeshoreThis scenic landscape runs along Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. From your Michigan campgrounds, you can explore the area by land, boat, or bicycle.
- Historic Bridge ParkFor history and architect buffs, this park and open-air museum near Battle Creek is a treasure trove of information. True to its name, there are six historic metal truss bridges for pedestrian crossings only.
If you want to spend your next outdoor adventure camping near a lake, Michigan is a natural choice. Bordering four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan campgrounds across the state offer instant access to some of the most amazing landscapes in the north. With so many trails to conquer and a changing seasonal climate, no two trips to Michigan will ever be quite the same!