Sept. 22-29

When it comes to quality trails, many Michigan residents already know there’s no place like home. With more than 12,500 miles of state-designated trails that connect communities and provide health and economic benefits, it’s easy for hikers, bikers, equestrians, snowmobilers, off-roaders, mountain bikers and even kayakers to find a trail just about anywhere in the state.

Michigan Trails Week (proclaimed this year by Gov. Rick Snyder as Sept. 22-29) is a perfect time for first-time trail users and seasoned outdoor explorers to get out and enjoy the Trails State. Here are just a few reasons why:

• Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, the longest designated state trail in the nation, is a 2,000-mile hiking and biking journey from Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle Park in Detroit, connecting more than half of the state’s counties.
• A growing partner-based water trails program, building on the popularity of paddle sports as one of the fastest-growing recreation activities, as well as Michigan’s thousands of miles of rivers and streams and more miles of Great Lakes coastline than any other state.
• Thousands of miles of ORV trails that are continually upgraded through funding generated by the sale of ORV licenses and trail permits.

More than 2,600 miles of rail-trail (leading the nation), old railroad lines that have been converted for recreational use. (Such as the White Pine Trail.)

• Thousands of miles of equestrian, snowmobile and water trail opportunities in some of the state’s most scenic areas.
• The Pure Michigan Trail and Trail Town designation program, announced earlier this year, highlighting some of the state’s best trail resources.

“Michigan offers four full seasons of opportunity to enjoy trails,” said DNR state trails coordinator Paul Yauk. “Michigan Trails Week is a good time for people to start out autumn on the right foot, celebrating the thousands of miles of scenic trails statewide.”

Michigan Trails Week ends Saturday, Sept. 29, which is National Public Lands Day, traditionally a day for volunteer-led efforts to beautify and build awareness about the value and extent of the country’s public lands.

Learn more about events and opportunities at michigan.gov/trailsweek or michigan.gov/dnrtrails or contact Doug Donnelly at 517-284-6109.

Michigan offers more than 1,800 miles of designated biking trails across the state. This group of riders is in Grand Traverse County on a variety of types of bikes. Trails Week is a great time to get out and enjoy a ride along the bike trails.

Michigan Trails Week, Sept. 23-30

When it comes to trails, there’s no place like Michigan. With trails that cater to a variety of passions—from biking, hiking and snowmobiling to off-roading, paddling and horseback riding—Michigan has a trail for you. Michigan Trails Week, Sept. 23-30, is the perfect time to hit the trails for the first time or try your hand (or feet) at a new trail adventure.

“If you want to get out and really enjoy the great outdoors, Michigan is the place to be,” said Paul Yauk, statewide trails coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Our trails take you to every corner of the state, with stops at some of the most picturesque locations in the country, a number of fascinating historical sites and attractions, and more than 100 state parks.”

Michigan has more than 12,500 miles of designated state trails that connect communities and provide real health and economic benefits. No matter where in Michigan you are, chances are you can find hiking and biking trails, equestrian trails, snowmobile trails, off-road vehicle trails and even water trails that will link you to many areas of the state.

In his proclamation declaring this year’s Michigan Trails Week, Gov. Rick Snyder cited “Michigan’s rich network of trails throughout the Upper and Lower peninsulas” that “provide residents and visitors with scenic spaces in which to explore nature, appreciate wildlife, experience solitude or enjoy time with family and friends.”

Those are pretty good reasons why Michigan is cementing its reputation as The Trails State, said Yauk. Michigan also offers:

*The Iron Belle Trail, the longest designated state trail in the nation, is a 2,000-mile journey winding from Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit, crisscrossing more than half of Michigan’s counties along both hiking and biking routes. Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail showcases many of the state’s natural and cultural resources, from national lakeshores to historic industrial areas.

*Thousands of miles of ORV trails that are constantly being upgraded through funding generated by the sale of ORV licenses and trail permits. These dollars help fund the restoration of many existing trails and the ability to link more communities across the state.

*The largest statewide rail-trail system in the nation, with more than 2,600 miles of old railroad lines that have been converted for recreational use.

*Thousands of miles of equestrian, snowmobile and water trail opportunities throughout the state, strengthening Michigan’s position as the nation’s Trails State.

The DNR again is partnering with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, and communities throughout the state to offer trails information and opportunities during Michigan Trails Week and all year long.

Michigan Trails Week concludes Saturday, Sept. 30, which is National Public Lands Day, traditionally a day for volunteer-led efforts to beautify and build awareness about the value and breadth of U.S. public lands. In fact, more than 30 percent of America’s land is public.

For more information about Michigan’s trails system and Michigan Trails Week opportunities, community resources and events throughout the state, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/trailsweek.

Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail follows the existing North Country National Scenic Trail for most of its length in Michigan, including through the Manistee National Forest (shown here). Photo courtesy of North Country Trail Association.

Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail will feature a bicycling route (shown in red) and a hiking route (shown in blue), utilizing many existing trails to provide healthy recreation opportunities and connect and showcase Michigan’s vibrant communities.

From the Michigan DNR

We asked and you answered—to the tune of nearly 9,000 name suggestions for Michigan’s planned, statewide hiking and bicycling trail stretching from Belle Isle Park in Detroit to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula. The Department of Natural Resources recently announced this showcase trail will officially be called Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail.

“This name effectively captures the beauty and strength of our state’s exceptional natural and cultural resources,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “Along the route from Belle Isle to Ironwood, Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail will ultimately connect communities, provide a variety of recreation opportunities, and showcase our great state to residents and visitors alike.”

Creagh said it’s important to note that while Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail is a work in progress, significant portions of the trail already exist throughout both peninsulas and are open right now for public enjoyment and exploration.

“The hard work and thoughtful vision that have for years gone into Michigan’s existing trail system and future connectors help to lay the groundwork for completion of this important cross-state trail,” Creagh said.

The DNR in September hosted a contest inviting residents and visitors to submit their best ideas to help name the trail. More than 8,800 submissions were received and then evaluated by a team representing partner organizations—the Michigan Trails Advisory Council, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Recreation and Park Association and the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance—involved in the trail’s establishment. DNR Director Creagh chose the final name based on recommendations from that committee.

The trail-naming contest ran for three weeks (Sept. 22-Oct. 13, 2014), with entries submitted via online survey, Facebook and paper entry form. Contest participants also showed their support by sending hand-drawn logo concepts, personal stories about their connections to trails and even a stack of entries from elementary students.

The DNR received hundreds of variations of the final name. To determine contest winners, three names were randomly drawn from that smaller pool of entries: Amanda Mailer (Rochester, Michigan), Matthew Husted (Jerome, Michigan) and John Meikle (Lapeer, Michigan). Each will be awarded (via drawing) one of three vacation prize packages at locations along the trail:

The Henry Ford and Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

Kaug Wudjoo Lodge at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon

First proposed as a “showcase trail” by Gov. Rick Snyder in November 2012, Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail will stretch across Michigan and link numerous existing trails to provide both a 1,259-mile hiking route and a 774-mile bicycling route. One end of the trail lies in Michigan’s newest state park, Belle Isle Park (Wayne County); the other is more than 900 miles away in Ironwood (Gogebic County).

The Parks and Recreation Division of the DNR, as well as other partners, currently is seeking private and public funding to secure and develop trail corridors for Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail. Temporary connectors already are in place along much of the trail and will be made permanent as resources become available. For more information about the development of the trail, please contact DNR state trails coordinator Paul Yauk at 517-284-6141.

Additional segments of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail will open throughout 2015, with ceremonial events in communities along the trail to locally mark the occasions.

Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail follows the existing North Country National Scenic Trail for most of its length in Michigan (1,085 of 1,259 miles). North Country Trail extends to the New York/Vermont border to the east and central North Dakota to the west. Spanning 4,600 miles, it is the longest National Scenic Trail in the nation. Michigan—a national leader in designated trail miles and plentiful opportunities for hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, kayaking and other trail pursuits—continues to cement its reputation as the nation’s Trails State. The state offers more than 12,000 miles of recreational trails total.

An extensive Michigan State Trails system provides broad public access to low-cost, healthy recreation opportunities and strengthens communities’ appeal by boosting quality-of-life amenities.

The Department of Natural Resources works each year with local communities and partners to celebrate and promote Michigan’s excellent public trail offerings during Michigan Trails Week, which this year runs Sept. 19-26, 2015. The website offers many planning tools and ideas for participating community projects.

Visit the DNR website www.michigan.gov/dnrtrails to sign up for email updates and to learn more about Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail and other recreation trail offerings.

Free park admission Sept. 28

Celebrate Michigan Trails Week by getting outside and getting on a trail. Held Sept. 21-28 in the outdoor playground called Michigan, the week pays tribute to the state’s 12,000 miles of trails by offering a variety of events statewide, featuring activities from hiking to biking to kayaking and more.

The week culminates on Sept 28, National Public Lands Day, with free entry to all federal and state parks and participating local parks throughout Michigan and the opportunity for volunteerism—the statewide work bee—to support and maintain these trails. This year marks the 20th anniversary of National Public Lands Day. Access to Michigan state parks normally requires a Recreation Passport; that will be waived on Sept. 28. The special events, trail maintenance and clean-up opportunities and free admission are made possible by communities and organizations throughout the state in partnerships with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Michigan Recreation and Park Association (MRPA), and the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA).

This month, Gov. Rick Snyder proclaimed the recreational, health and economic benefits of the state’s trail system with his second annual proclamation of Michigan Trails Week. In his proclamation, the governor states that the trail system provides several billion dollars to Michigan’s economy and a low-cost means to improve individual health, which can, in return, reduce health care costs.

“Michigan is a national leader in the number of miles of trails, providing tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities and substantial benefits to the state’s economy,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “From our state’s extensive inland water opportunities to more than 3,800 miles of trails used by off-road enthusiasts, Michigan is home to a unique variety and quantity of trails. Trails are resources to be celebrated not just during Michigan Trails Week, but all year long.”

The governor’s proclamation also pays tribute to the most popular means of enjoying the out-of-doors through trail-related activities, including hiking, walking, snowmobiling, running, biking, horseback riding, paddling, and using off-road vehicles. According to Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, whether you’re a novice or an expert, getting out on the trails during Michigan Trails Week and each week afterward is an important part of staying active and experiencing the state’s natural resources.

“Put on your well-worn hiking shoes or experience kayaking for the very first time,” he said. “Events held during this week are a great match for both the experienced and beginning trail user. From guided trail hikes to trail runs to bike rides and free kayaking programs through Recreation 101, there is something for everyone. Make this the start of your healthy, active lifestyle.”

All Michigan Trails Week events are found at www.michigan.gov/trailsweek.