Michigan owes its scenic and recreational advantages to its central location on the Great Lakes and to thousands of inland lakes threaded by thousands of miles of streams. The Circle Drive around Lake Superior is an especially scenic route through the forest lands of the Upper Peninsula. The rugged landscapes common to this part of Michigan are particularly impressive in the Porcupine Mountains and at the waterfalls of the swift Tahquamenon River.

Michigan has well-developed facilities for year-round recreation. The lakeshores and riverbanks, lined with cabins, resorts, camps, and parks, attract millions of vacationers each year. There are more than 40 downhill ski areas and four times that number of organized cross-country ski trails. Many of the best alpine slopes are in the north, but there are ski slopes near Detroit and in the southwest. The northern two-thirds of the state has excellent snow for winter snowmobiling, and the coastal dunes and beaches along the Great Lakes provide summer attractions.

Michigan is a leading state in the ownership of recreational boats and in the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. Seasons exist for the hunting of various kinds of wildlife, particularly white-tailed deer and ducks. Excellent fishing is found in the Great Lakes as well as inland lakes and stocked trout streams.

There is no better bicycling country than Michigan’s scenic and rolling two peninsulas located in the heart of the Great Lakes Basin. Plenty of trails challenge bicyclists of all ages, types and skill levels, as well as plenty of space to rest and camp. Michigan’s total coastline length is second only to Alaska. Michigan also has 11,000 lakes and 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, which puts bicyclists, no matter where they are in the state, within 20 minutes of water.

The state’s more than 700 registered historical sites offer an unhurried view of the past. Autumn color, fishing, swimming and boating are all within close range of the bicyclist. Bikes are allowed on all paved and non-paved roads in all 96 state parks and recreation areas. Bikes may also be operated on designated bike paths. Look for signs or ask a member of the park staff if bicycling is allowed on any trail in the State Park.

Mountain bike trails, however, are different from bike paths. While bike paths are paved or hard surfaced and tend to be quite smooth, mountain bike trails tend to consist of a more rugged terrain, characterized by a natural soil surface, narrower trail width, changing slopes and gradients.

These distinctions should be noted before you prepare to take a trip to one of the state parks and use the mountain bike trails. Please stay on marked mountain bike trails when riding your bike and please use trail courtesy when on the trails.
Following is a list of parks and recreation areas with designated mountain bike trails:

Some outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the deeper silence found along cross-country ski trails which lead through hills and valleys, forests and meadows. Skiers may choose between well-groomed, lighted city trails or trails through thick pines draped heavy with snow. A main attraction to UP ski trails is the abundant snowfall, the forest of pine, spruce, and balsam laced with snow garlands and excellent grooming equipment.

Designated trails are well-marked with directional signs and levels of expertise from novice to expert, with rest areas along the way. Or choose a trail system with a warm-up cabin where one can take a rest as a cup of steaming hot chocolate warms the heart and hands.

Trails are located in national and state forests; state, country and city parks; ski resorts and other areas. There are trails to waterfalls, ice caves, and past scenic lookouts.