State park visitor guide in Traverse City, Michigan

Bayfront Park is a picturesque waterfront park located at 101 East Lake Street in Petoskey, Michigan. This popular tourist attraction offers stunning views of Little Traverse Bay and is the perfect place to relax and take in the beauty of the surrounding area. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade, have a picnic on the grassy lawn, or simply sit and watch the boats go by. With its charming gazebo, sandy beach, and lush greenery, Bayfront Park is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Petoskey area.

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is a historic museum located at 15500 Lighthouse Point Road in Northport, Michigan, United States. This iconic lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the maritime history of the Great Lakes region. Explore the lighthouse grounds, climb to the top for breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, and learn about the important role this beacon played in guiding ships safely through the treacherous waters. The museum showcases exhibits on lighthouse technology, the life of lighthouse keepers, and the fascinating stories of the ships that once sailed these waters. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this unique piece of Michigan's heritage.

Sunset Park, located at 635 East Front Street in Traverse City, Michigan, is a popular tourist attraction known for its stunning views of the sun setting over the water. This park offers a peaceful setting for visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. In order to use the park for events or gatherings, there is a Parks & Public Land Use Application Fee of $500, with additional fees applying. There is also a Street Use Application Fee of $410, with additional fees applying for street closures or special events. Sunset Park is a must-visit destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty of Traverse City.

Taylor Park is a picturesque and serene park located at 9339 North Long Lake Road in Traverse City, Michigan. This popular tourist attraction offers visitors a peaceful escape into nature, with lush greenery, beautiful walking paths, and stunning views of Long Lake. Whether you're looking to relax with a picnic, go for a leisurely stroll, or simply enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors, Taylor Park is the perfect destination. Come and experience the beauty of this hidden gem in the heart of Northern Michigan.

The Allan and Virginia McCune Nature Preserve, located in Michigan, United States, is a beautiful park and tourist attraction dominated by hardwood forest. The property also includes red pine plantations, a meadow, a creek, and a cedar swamp. Visitors can explore roughly 4 miles of trails and enjoy the spring-fed Minnehaha Creek, which flows through the preserve on its way to Crooked Lake. The preserve was generously donated to the Little Traverse Conservancy in 1984 by Allan and Virginia McCune. Additional features such as footbridges, parking areas, and trail systems have been added over the years with support from the community and in memory of loved ones. Two parking areas are available for visitors to access the preserve, with addresses provided for both the West and East parking areas. Don't forget to check out the plants and animals at the preserve using the iNaturalist guide and help document more species with iNaturalist.org and eBird.org.

Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve is a stunning park and tourist attraction located at Gilbert Road in Arcadia, Michigan, United States. Spanning over 3800 acres across Benzie County and Manistee County, this preserve offers 20 trail miles for visitors to explore and enjoy. Managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Arcadia Dunes provides a wide range of recreational activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, bird watching, mountain biking, and hunting. The preserve is open from dawn until dusk, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the diverse landscapes of dunes, forests, and working farms.

Bradford Dickinson White Nature Preserve is a tranquil park and tourist attraction located at 12799-12295 36th Street Southeast in Lowell, Michigan, United States. The preserve offers a serene escape into nature, with trails that wind through pine and oak-hickory forests, providing scenic views of the wetlands below. Visitors often remark on the solitude and wilderness ambiance of the preserve, despite its proximity to the city of Lowell. The preserve is a Category 2 LCWM nature preserve, with limited parking and shorter trail systems that can be hiked in 30 minutes or less. The trails are marked with blue blazes on the trees and traverse rolling terrain, guiding hikers up and down sometimes steep slopes. A bridge crosses Karen Creek, connecting the trail system. The preserve is home to diverse plant species and protects wetlands along a tributary to the Grand River, contributing to water quality improvement.

Bonobo Winery is a charming and inviting destination located in Traverse City, Michigan. Situated at 12011 Center Road, this renowned winery offers a unique experience for both locals and tourists alike. With a picturesque setting surrounded by vineyards and stunning views of the Grand Traverse Bay, Bonobo Winery is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of award-winning wine. Visitors can sample a variety of wines produced on-site, including reds, whites, and rosés. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to provide recommendations and share the rich history of winemaking in the region. In addition to wine tastings, Bonobo Winery also offers guided tours of the vineyard and production facilities.

The River Outfitters is a premier tourist attraction located at 1910 West South Airport Road in Traverse City, Michigan. Offering a wide range of outdoor activities and adventures, visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, and more along the scenic rivers of Michigan. With top-of-the-line equipment and experienced guides, The River Outfitters provides a memorable and exciting experience for all ages and skill levels. Come explore the beauty of nature and make unforgettable memories at The River Outfitters in Traverse City.

Detour Peninsula Nature Preserve is a stunning park and tourist attraction located at Light House Road in De Tour Village, Michigan, United States. This preserve showcases the diverse ecosystems of northern Lake Huron, including sandy beaches, limestone shores, boreal forests, conifer swamps, marshes, and coastal fens. Situated along the migration corridor centered on the St. Mary's River, the preserve offers a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the preserve via a two-track road, Point Road, which is open to foot traffic and leads to private land at the tip of the peninsula. A small parking area is available at the end of Point Road for convenience. The preserve was generously donated to Little Traverse Conservancy in 2011, preserving its natural beauty for future generations to enjoy.

Susan Creek Nature Preserve is a beautiful park and tourist attraction located at 10966 Burgess Road in Charlevoix, Michigan, United States. The preserve boasts nearly a mile of frontage on Susan Creek and US-31, providing excellent wildlife habitat with wet meadows, black ash swamp, cedar thickets, ponds, and hardwoods. Visitors can explore 2.37 miles of trails, including a winter-only ski loop, and enjoy the diverse natural surroundings. This preserve is a success story in the protection of the scenic road corridor between Petoskey and Charlevoix, with funding from various organizations and foundations. The entrance to Susan Creek is conveniently located four miles east of Charlevoix city limits and 11 miles west of Petoskey, making it easily accessible for visitors. The preserve is adjacent to a 55-acre preserve owned by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

The William G. Milliken Waterscape in Traverse City, Michigan, is a stunning institution dedicated to celebrating the beauty and importance of water in our lives. Located at 191 East Grandview Parkway, this unique destination offers a serene and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Explore interactive exhibits, learn about conservation efforts, and admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, the William G. Milliken Waterscape is a must-visit destination in the United States.

St. Pierre Mountain Bike Trail is located in Saint Pierre, Arcadia, Michigan, United States. This park covers 3800 acres and offers 20 trail miles for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. Managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, this preserve is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, bird watching, mountain biking, and more. The park also participates in community science through the iNaturalist platform, allowing visitors to share their observations of flora and fauna found on the property. This collaborative effort between scientists and the public helps to further our understanding of the natural world and promote stewardship of the environment.

Bass River Recreation Area is a beautiful park located along the Grand River in Ottawa County, Michigan. With 3.5 miles of river frontage, this park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hunting. The park features over 8 miles of trails that traverse diverse habitats, making it perfect for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and mountain biking. To reach the park, simply head east on Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) from US-31 for 7 miles, then go north on 104th Avenue for 3.4 miles. Look for a gravel road on the east side of 104th Avenue.

Welcome to the Keweenaw Waterway Upper Entrance Light Beacon Station, a historic maritime landmark nestled within the scenic beauty of McLain State Park in Hancock, Michigan. This iconic beacon has guided vessels through the Keweenaw Waterway, a vital shortcut for ships navigating between Marquette and eastern ports like Ashland and Duluth, especially during the stormy fall season when its protected waters are preferred over the open expanse of Lake Superior. The lighthouse's rich history dates back to 1874, when it was first established to illuminate the entrance to the Portage Lake Ship Canal. Over the years, it has undergone numerous transformations, from its original brick structure to the current square, white tower that stands proudly with a focal plane of eighty-two feet. This tower, built in 1950, is reminiscent of other mid-20th-century lighthouses found in Conneaut, Ohio, Port Washington, Wisconsin, and Indiana Harbor, Indiana.