Spring Activities in Northern Michigan
Inland Waterway
This unique chain of lakes and rivers is sure
to please any boating or fishing enthusiast. Whether you are
looking for a leisurely excursion filled with wildlife and
scenic beauty, or more active journey with waterskiing, tubing
and swimming the Inland Waterway is just right for you.
Crooked and Pickerel Lakes
Both Crooked and Pickerel Lakes are noted for
good fishing, and relatively deep lakes given their more compact
size in comparison to Burt and Mullett Lakes.
Crooked River
To continue your boating journey from Crooked
Lake to Burt Lake boaters must travel through the Crooked River
and go through the Crooked River Locks which lowers boats two
feet to the level of Burt Lake. Navigation on the Crooked River
generally limits boats to 25 feet.
Burt Lake
This is Michigan's fourth largest inland lake
and is known for its wide span of water and its beautiful bays.
There are two nature preserves on the shores of Burt Lake, Seven
Springs Nature Preserve and Colonial Point Forest/Chaboiganing
Nature Preserve. Additionally, there are DeVoe Beach, a township
park, and Burt Lake State Park both with beautiful sandy beaches
for swimming.
Indian River
Connecting Burt and Mullett Lakes is the 5
mile stretch of the Indian River. The area where the Indian
River flows into Mullett Lake is a marshy area known as the
Indian River Spreads. The Indian River Spreads is a wildlife
habitat for a variety of wildlife including Bald Eagle, Osprey,
Otters, Loons and other waterfowl.
Mullett Lake
This is Michigan's fifth largest inland lake.
Enjoy swimming, tubing, water skiing or fishing on this deep
lake.
Cheboygan River
This is the largest river in the Waterway
system and it flows into Lake Huron. At is mouth, the Coast
Guard Cutter "Mackinaw" makes its home. A drawbridge spans the
river downtown and a gate lock raises and lowers boats 12 feet.
Morel Mushrooms
In the spring and early summer, morel
mushroom hunting is a favorite pastime of both visitors and
locals. Depending on the temperature and rainfall, these fungus
can be found in abundance when searching in the right place.
Morels often grow in moist woodlands and near dead tree. They
can be anywhere from 2 to 12 inches tall and can be cooked in a
variety of ways.
For more information contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dnr
North Central State
Trail
The newly re-surfaced and dedicated trail
offers 62 miles of non-motorized trail, from Gaylord to Mackinaw
City. This picturesque trail takes the cyclist, jogger or walker
through quiet woodlands, past streams and along the west shore
of Mullett Lake. Opportunities to visit small towns along the
way add to the interest.
View map (pdf)
View brochure (pdf)
For more information Contact:
Top of Michigan Trails Council
Phone: (231) 348-8280
Website:
www.trailscouncil.org
Sturgeon Viewing Tours
Each spring, the famed lake sturgeon head up
select rivers to spawn. The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
and Sturgeon for Tomorrow host a Sturgeon Viewing Guided Tour.
Experts from the Watershed Council, Michigan Department of
Natural Resources, Sturgeon for Tomorrow, and other scientists
will be on hand to talk about Lake Sturgeon, poaching
enforcement, netting and tagging, recent Black Lake Watershed
research, and the Watershed Council’s restoration work to
improve sturgeon habitat.
For more information contact:
Sturgeon For Tomorrow Black Lake Chapter
Phone: (231) 625-2776
Website:
www.sturgeonfortomorrow.org
Indian River Golf Club
This beautiful 18-hole championship golf
course is carved out of virgin pine. There are four different
teeing areas for golfers of all calibers. This 3 ˝ star rated
golf course is truly a gem, and we hope you will stop in and
enjoy the experience the Indian River Golf Club has to offer.
For more information contact:
Indian River Golf Club
Phone: (231) 238-7011
Website:
www.indianrivergolfclub.com
Elk Viewing
Visitors to Indian River are only minutes
away from the Pigeon River Country State Forest, a prime
location for catching a glimpse of the largest free-roaming elk
herd east of the Mississippi.
The best times of day for viewing the elk are
dawn and dusk. At these times the elk will feed in forest
openings and fields. Stop by the Chamber office to pick up an
elk viewing map.
For more information contact:
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dnr
Sturgeon River Trips
CANOE – KAYAK – RAFT – TUBE
The Sturgeon River is the fastest river in
Michigan's Lower Peninsula with an average descent of almost 14
feet per mile. The average depth is 3-4 feet. However, there are
deeper pools that can reach 5-8 feet in depth, usually around
the outside of the bends.
Families have enjoyed canoeing, rafting,
kayaking and tubing the Sturgeon River for years. Currents vary
enough to please everyone: smooth and slow sections for a
relaxing ride and swift meandering sections for a bit more
challenge.
All river trips include:
U.S. Coast Guard approved and safety-inspected equipment
Paddles and PFD's (comfortable Type III Life vest)
Shuttle service to the put-in location (all trips end back at
sign up location)
Viewing of safety video
Maps and litter bags
Departures every 1/2 hour!
River Hours & Reservations
9:00 am - 6:30 pm
For more information contact:
Big Bear Adventures
Phone: (231) 238-8181
Hiking
There are many beautiful hiking trails in the
Indian River area and there is no time like spring to be out
enjoying the beauties of nature. The Wildwood Hills pathway, the
Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial pathway and the Black Mountain Forest
pathway are all within a few minutes of Indian River.
For more information contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dnr
Cooperation Park
One of the best community resources for
people of all ages in Indian River is Cooperation Park. This
park cover 51.78 acres and includes baseball fields, a
skateboard park, a nature trail, tennis courts, basketball
courts, a large children’s playground, horse shoe pits and
soccer fields.
No matter what a person’s outdoor hobby or
age, they are bound to find fun during all seasons at this
wonderful community park.
For more information contact:
Tuscarora Township Parks Commission
Phone: (231) 238-7865
ORV
Indian River and the surrounding area have
many miles of ORV trails for you to enjoy. The Tomahawk trail
has its trailhead and parking lot just minutes away from
downtown Indian River. Indian River is also near the Black Mt.
Forest Recreation Area, which has many miles of trails to ride.
For more information contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dnr
Fishing
In addition to the Inland Waterway there are
numerous other rivers, lakes and streams located nearby on which
you may enjoy a variety of fishing opportunities. There is no
time like the spring to enjoy fantastic fishing. See the current
Michigan fishing guide for regulations.
For more information contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dnr
Geocaching
Opportunities to participate in this fun
worldwide game of hiding and seeking abound in the Indian River
Area. There are traditional, multi and earth caches for every
skill level. The Indian River zip code is 49749.
For more information contact:
Geocaching – the official Global GPS Cache Hunt Website:
www.geocaching.com
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding opportunities exist in the
nearby Pigeon River Country and Lee Grand Ranch area. For those
horse owners who enjoy peaceful, quiet, wooded areas, these
trails are for you.
For more information contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone :(989) 732-2541
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dnr
 The
Cross in the Woods
Mass Schedule:
Year Round:
Saturday: 4:30 pm
Sunday: 8:30am (indoor) and 10:30am
Monday thru Friday: 8:30am and Noon
In 1954, the Cross, made from a Redwood tree
was erected. Renowned Michigan sculptor, Marshall M. Fredericks
created a bronze image of the crucified Jesus which was raised
into place in 1959 to complete the Crucifix.
Interesting Statistics about the Cross
1953 Redwood tree cut down in the mountains of Oregon.
1954 Cross is 55 feet high, 22 feet wide
1959 Corpus (or body) designed by Marshall Fredericks was cast
in bronze at a foundry in Norway, weighing 7 tons, 28 feet head
to toe, and outstretched arms span 21 feet.
1992 Corpus was cleaned and Cross repainted beige to emphasize
the bronze corpus.
Corpus is cleaned and waxed every two years.
For More Information Contact
The Cross in the Woods
Phone: (231) 238-8973
Website:
www.crossinthewoods.com
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