Winter in Michigan
Some Michiganders put the woods away for the season. Others wait all year for it. When the snow settles in, the places people love in summer turn quiet and new, and a few of them are at their best. This page gathers the winter places we write about, with what the managing park says about getting there and what's allowed, so you can plan with good information. Every fact below links to its source, and because winter access changes from year to year, please check the linked park page before you go.
Pictured Rocks: ice curtains along the cliffs
At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, water seeping out of the sandstone freezes into curtains and columns of white ice tinged with blue, green or yellow. The National Park Service says the ice generally begins to form by mid-December and lasts until early April. W2
The most easily reached formations are along the inland cliffs between Munising Falls and Sand Point, beside Sand Point Road. The park suggests parking at the Sand Point Beach lot and walking back along the road a quarter to a half mile, and asks visitors not to park on the road's shoulder. W2 Sand Point Road is the only park road plowed in winter. From December 1 to March 31, the unplowed park roads are considered snowmobile trails and are closed to all vehicles except snowmobiles. W3 Alger County Road H-58 is plowed only from Munising east to Adams Trail. From Adams Trail to Grand Marais, H-58 isn't plowed and is open only to snowmobiles. W3
Munising averages about 140 inches of snow a year. W2 The park has marked snowshoe trails in Munising and Grand Marais, and you can snowshoe almost anywhere in the park except its 20 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. W2 Some trails close after storm damage, so read the park's current alerts first. W2
Sleeping Bear Dunes: skiing and snowshoeing above Lake Michigan
At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is groomed for both classic and skate skiing. W4 Snowshoeing is allowed on all snow-covered dunes, fields and forests in the lakeshore, though the park recommends staying on marked paths and keeping off to the side of ski tracks. W4 The park also lists ranger-led snowshoe hikes on its calendar. W4
Two notes before you go. Pets are not allowed on the Heritage Trail from December 1 to March 31. W5 And the park warns that shoreline ice formations are dangerous, and that avalanche is possible on steep, snow-covered dunes. W4
Tahquamenon Falls: snowshoes in the Upper Peninsula woods
Tahquamenon Falls State Park has 4 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails in the Upper Falls area, including the 1-mile Lantern Loop and the 3.8-mile Giant Pines Loop, and 9 miles of marked snowshoe trails at the Upper and Lower Falls. W8 Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing are welcome throughout the park. The DNR asks visitors to keep pets off groomed trails and not to walk on them. W8
Silver Lake: fat-tire biking on the dunes
Near Mears, the Silver Lake ORV Area opens to fat-tire bikes from December 15 to March 15, 8 a.m. to dusk. Riders get 450 acres of open dunes with 80 to 100 feet of elevation change and access to Lake Michigan. W9 The DNR says no e-bikes are allowed, no reservations are needed, and there's no drinking water, so plan ahead. Riders enter the dunes by the ORV area's down ramp. W9
Dark skies on a cold, clear night
Michigan has six dark sky preserves in its state parks. They are designated by the Michigan Legislature and stay open around the clock. W10 The six are Lake Hudson Recreation Area, Negwegon State Park, Port Crescent State Park, Rockport Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Wilderness State Park. W10 Winter access differs: the DNR lists Rockport Recreation Area and Thompson's Harbor State Park as plowed in winter, while Negwegon and Port Crescent are not plowed, though at Port Crescent you can hike from the parking lot to the preserve. At Wilderness State Park, only the area near park headquarters is plowed. W10
Before you drive to a state park
A Recreation Passport is required for motor vehicles entering Michigan state parks and recreation areas, all year long. W6W7 Walking or riding a nonmotorized bike in doesn't require one. W7 Prices and purchase options are on the DNR's Recreation Passport page. Check it before you go. W6
For more winter ideas from the state, including cross-country skiing, ice fishing, winter birding and winter camping, see the DNR's winter recreation page. W1
A word on safety. Winter conditions change by the day. We don't report current ice, trail or road conditions. Please check the managing park's page and alerts before you head out: Pictured Rocks, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Tahquamenon Falls and Silver Lake.
