Michigan blazes trail on outdoor recreation pathways

Trail riders take a break on their ORVs on a beautiful day
in Mackinac County.

“I am happy, however, just to go into the forest and put a new handrail on a bridge or putter over a few rods of trail, for, above everything, I am a trail man.”
(Charles Blood, who helped construct New Hampshire’s White Mountain trail system, 1930)

Fortunately for Michigan, there have been and continue to be a great many folks who consider themselves to be, above all else, trail men and women – people who understand how biking, hiking, snowmobiling and riding trails and pathways can clear the mind, recharge the soul and just make life a whole lot better.

Michigan is home to one of the largest interconnected trail systems in the country, serving the explorer’s spirit of snowmobilers, hikers, cyclists, off-road vehicle users, kayakers and horseback riders.

At more than 11,000 miles, this trail network (and the outdoor recreation, health and economic benefits it brings to nearby communities) may soon have Michigan known nationally not only as the Great Lakes State, but also as the Trail State.

Jim Radabaugh, state recreation trails unit manager for the Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division, thinks that would be just fine, but is quick to point out that creating a complex, successful trail system like Michigan’s doesn’t happen without a lot of help at the local, regional and state level.

Enjoying a relaxing ride along Horseman's Trail near Grayling.

“Partners are essential,” Radabaugh said. “If we didn’t have partners, we simply would not have this trail network.

“Local communities and friends groups help out over the long term with maintenance and management and development,” he explained. “It’s important to have those relationships because to succeed, we need to have people locally invested and feeling proud about making the trails great.”

According to Eric Oberg, manager of trail development for the Midwest regional office of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the pride of place and sense of ownership that Michigan residents feel for its trails are evident in communities large and small, rural and urban.

In fact, Oberg said he believes many other states may be suffering from a serious case of “trail envy.”

“It’s not just Michigan’s sheer volume of trails, it’s that you’re blessed with lots of long-distance trails, too,” he said. “There are so many options; 20-, 30- and 40-mile-plus corridors … that’s very special and unique.”

Oberg’s conservancy recently recognized Michigan for having the most rail-trail miles of any state in the nation, edging out Minnesota and Pennsylvania. He said that Michigan has “been at the forefront of rail-trail development, from the very beginning.”

Local communities are seeing real recreation, economic and health benefits snowballing off Michigan’s growing trail system.

Bicyclists and runners alike take advantage of the rail trail
connected to Bay City State Recreation Area.

Jim Conboy, an avid Michigan trail user and member of the Top of Michigan Trails Council, has long been involved with advocating for the North Central State Trail – a 62-mile rail trail that stretches from Gaylord to Mackinaw City.

“The North Central State Trail has brought nearby communities together like nothing else has,” Conboy said. “They are pulling together to promote the trail, and that initial face-to-face contact is spreading to other collaborative approaches.

“Michigan trails have given me some great times with my children and now grandchildren,” he added, “and the trails have brought me into contact with nature like never before.”

Bob Ulrich has a similar story. He retired in 2000, moved to Cheboygan County, and immediately “got bit” by the snowmobile bug and – as a member of the Inland Lakes Snowmobile Club – has been enjoying the sport ever since.

Ulrich believes the network of snowmobile trails in Michigan is “outstanding, because of the care that went into the planning and, now, the grooming by the clubs.” That strong network means more riders come to Michigan, and that’s great for local business.

Michigan state parks and recreation areas offer the
perfect backdrop to "get away from it all."

“Snowmobilers need three things besides the snow. First, they need gas; second, they need to eat; and, finally, a place to stay while on their trip. Local businesses reap the financial benefits from snowmobiling,” he said. “In fact, many depend on us during the winter months to keep their businesses in the black.”

With an amazing variety of trails to choose from, Michigan residents can utilize the network as an easy and inviting way to keep themselves physically “in the black,” too.

Nancy Krupiarz, executive director of the Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance, has seen many instances of trail-related health turnarounds.

She shared one story about a couple of young women who joined a walking program held on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and, through persistent effort, lost a substantial amount of weight. The two felt so empowered, she said, that they sought out other ways to make personal improvements and eventually each enrolled in college for the first time.

Dr. Joshua Meyerson, medical director for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, is himself a trails convert.

Dr. Meyerson said he had always driven to and from work and just decided one day to start biking, using the trail near his house to make the 19-mile trek. Once mostly sedentary, the doctor said his trail use led to his being “very much in shape” and eating better, too.

“Trails are an excellent way to promote healthy living through recreation,” he said. “They offer an alternative way of commuting to work or school, and I see lots of people riding bikes and pushing strollers … and just families being out on the trails.”

Michigan's network of interconnected trails offers a variety of surfaces
and settings to suit just about any outdoor enthusiast's tastes.

No matter what the recreational pursuit, the DNR has worked hard to anticipate and meet the needs of all trail enthusiasts – hikers, cyclists, equestrians, ORV riders, joggers, snowmobilers, paddlers and others.

It’s an effort that takes careful planning, tremendous support and proper funding, but the return on investment is clear.

“One thing that we love to see is the fact that Michigan has, as a state government, taken the initiative to have many of its trails designated as state parks,” said the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Oberg.

He said that from a management standpoint, it shows the dedication of the public sector, and “you can’t put a value on what that projects to the public and to visitors. Administering these trails as linear parks through the DNR is a true testament to Michigan.”

Oberg said the people of Michigan aren’t fair-weather trail fans, either. “Michiganders are out using the trails, every day of every season,” he said. “We use Michigan as an example to other states of what can be done in creating an entire new economy.”

People in Michigan “just get it,” he said. “It’s a good trail-system model that works from the ground up and from a policy perspective.”

To learn more about the many trail-going opportunities available throughout the state or to plan your next trail adventure, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrtrails, the Travel Michigan website at www.michigan.org or the Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance website at www.michigantrails.org.