(800)-Exit 310 - 231-238-9325 

Fall Activities in Northern Michigan

Inland Waterway

riverThis 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.

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)

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

Golf

golfingThis 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 ½ 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

Come to Indian River to stay and play the 5 of the best courses in Northern Michigan!  
Click here to sign up!

Elk Viewing

elkviewingVisitors 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. Download our full color Elk Viewing brochure here.

For more information contact:
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website: www.michigan.gov/dnr

Indian River Trips

The Indian River is a smooth, calm , crystal clear, 3.5 mile river that flows between Burt and Mullett Lakes.  There is much beautiful scenery along the way. These are great quiet water trips for both novice and experienced paddlers alike.

image004For more information contact:
Arts and Adventure Paddlesports at Brass Wind Landing
Phone: (231)238-4843

Website: artsandadventure.com

Hiking

hikingThere 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

fishingIn 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

or

Maple Ridge Stables

Phone: (989)980-7866

Website: www.mapleridgestables.com

The Cross in the Woods

crossMass 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

Color Tour

Indian River is ideally located as a home base for a color tour. From our beautiful area you can travel all about Northern Michigan to view of some of the gorgeous, colorful Autumn landscapes for which Michigan is famous.

Hunting

Hunting opportunities abound in the area. There are many thousands of acres of state land available for you to pursue the various types of hunting northern Michigan offers, including waterfowl, small game, whitetail deer, black bear, coyote, bobcat and wild turkey. In addition there is a limited license drawing elk hunt. Numerous land and water trapping opportunities also exist. See the current Michigan hunting and trapping guide for regulations and seasons.

For more information contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website: www.michigan.gov/dnr