In winter, Michigan's snow-covered forests and dunes, frozen waterfalls and meadows blanketed in white make snowshoeing a particularly enticing experience. Snowshoe options range from trails that parallel Lake Superior's icy waters, where annual snowfall averages up to 188 inches, to the Detroit area's nature preserves, where snowfall averages less than 60 inches. But no matter the quantity of snow, the opportunity to experience a snowshoeing adventure in Michigan is readily available.
Upper Peninsula
- Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, one of the Midwest's largest wilderness areas, offers 87 miles of snowshoe/cross-country trails. Snowshoers may also forge their own way through the wilds or join one of the park's annual guided night treks along a 1-mile path lit by antique kerosene lanterns.Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, situated along Lake Superior near Munising, opens up nearly 33,000 acres to snowshoeing. Suggested routes include the 1.5-mile marked Sand Point Snowshoe Trail that leads to cliffs and a 5.6-mile round-trip trek to Miner's Falls, where visitors can experience the sublime beauty of a frozen waterfall. A 10-mile trek along a summer access road leads to the 80-foot tall Chapel Falls, one of the states most scenic.
Northern Lower Peninsula
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore sits within the northwest corner of the Lower Peninsula, along Lake Michigan's eastern coast. Park rangers provide snowshoe lessons and weekly guided hikes. Eleven trails of varying length offer an array of snowshoeing options. These include the 1.5-mile Windy Moraine Trail, with its views of Glen Lake, Lake Michigan and dune areas. Pyramid Point is a 2.7-mile looped trail through forests and fields that ultimately leads to a Lake Michigan overlook.The Huron-Manistee National Forest spreads across the northern Lower Peninsula, encompassing nearly a million acres. Seven trails -- ranging from less than a mile in length to nearly 20 miles -- are shared by snowshoers and cross-country skiers and accommodate all skill levels. Trails include the Manistee River Trail and Nordhouse Dunes Trail.
West Michigan
- While West Michigan's many public parks provide winter trails, Ludington State Park stands out for its effort to engage beginners in the sport. The 5,300-acre park sits along the Lake Michigan coastline in Mason County. Each Saturday in January and February, the park offers instruction and free guided snowshoe hikes. Anyone trying out the sport may borrow a pair of snowshoes; the equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eight trails totaling 18 miles traverse woodlands, fields and snow-covered dunes.
Southeast Michigan
- While southeast Michigan's snowfall doesn't rival the amounts found in northern parts of the state, snowshoeing opportunities can still be found in this urbanized region. Oakland County parks provide open snowshoeing at Glen Oaks, Red Oaks, Springfield Oaks and White Lake Oaks golf courses. Groomed and ungroomed trails, ranging from about a mile to 19 miles, offer diverse experiences at Addison Oaks, Highland Oaks, Lynn Oaks and Waterford Oaks parks.The 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks situated throughout four southeast Michigan counties offer winter fun. Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center spans more than 4,000 acres. Occasional organized snowshoe events and snowshoe rentals get newbies on the trails here. Favorite Stony Creek treks include the Lake Trail, with its three loops, and the 2.5-mile Habitat Trail through forest, wetlands and fields.
