Snowshoeing hikes for all

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Hikers snowshoe along a lighted trail in Ludington State Park during a 2022 Friends of Ludington State Park lantern-lit hike.

COVER PHOTO: Ludington State Park Interpreter Alan Wernette leads a group on his Saturday guided snowshoe hikes.

By Carmelitta Tiffany. Photos by Steve Begnoche.

Michigan winter and snowshoes go mitten in mitten.

For many who remain in northwest Michigan year-round, winter can be as enjoyable as busy summer months. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to experience the area’s beauty when Mother Nature is cloaked in white.

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Two local state parks, Ludington State Park and Manistee’s Orchard Beach State Park, offer miles of trails for winter activities. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to the state parks, but the snowshoe hikes are free.

A third park, Michigan Legacy Art Park, on the Benzie-Manistee border, offers guided hikes through its outdoor sculpture park for a per person fee that includes snowshoe rental and park entry.

Finally, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy offers two guided hikes led by volunteers this year on their properties.

Ludington State Park, 8800 W. M-116, Ludington

Located north of Ludington on M116, Ludington State Park is situated between the 5,000-acre Hamlin Lake and 7 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline.

These guided programs include some of the most beautiful state park scenery, through woods and snow-covered sand dunes. The Friends of the Ludington State Park, park staff, and park interpreter Alan Wernette work together to groom a trail for walking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Snowshoes are provided for those who need them, aged 8 and up.

The Friends of the Ludington State Park volunteers can help people new to snowshoeing. If there isn’t sufficient snow, the hikes are on foot and still offer an exhilarating way to enjoy the park.

A family stops to read a story card along the lantern lit trail during a combination book walk/lantern lit hike in 2022. Two book walk events this year will coincide with lantern lit hikes.
A family stops to read a story card along the lantern lit trail during a combination book walk/lantern lit hike in 2022. Two book walk events this year coincide with lantern lit hikes.

Guided Saturday Afternoon Winter Snowshoe Walks, Saturdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, 11, 18. Meet at the Park’s Warming Shelter at 1 p.m. Guided nature and history walks through the wooded sand dunes on snowshoes.

Guided Saturday Night Winter Snowshoe Walks, Saturdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 11. Meet at the Park’s Warming Shelter at 6 p.m. These are guided nature and history snowshoe walks through wooded sand dunes under stars and moonlight.

Lanterns light the trail during the Ludington State Park guided lantern-lit snowshoe hikes.
Lights line the trail during Ludington State Park guided evening lantern-lit snowshoe hikes.

Winter Night Lantern Lit Trail Events, Saturdays, Feb. 4 and 18 from 6-8 p.m. Start at the Park’s Warming Shelter. Walk, ski, or snowshoe one of the park’s trails through the wooded sand dunes under the illumination of 75 lanterns. Be rewarded at the Amphitheater, where a warm campfire and free hot cocoa await. Trail is  a half mile over easy terrain.

Orchard Beach State Park, 2064 Lakeshore Rd., Manistee

Orchard Beach State Park is best known for its spectacular views of sunsets and Lake Michigan. Please note: Due to high water and erosion, access to the beach (only available via the stairs) is closed.

The Friends of Orchard Beach State Park will lead a hike on a lighted park trail or in the campground.  Star party with NASA/Solar System Ambassador Brooke Edwards will happen on selected dates with clear skies.

Snowshoe Hike & Star Parties, Jan. 28 and Feb. 12 and 25. Meet at the Shelter House at 6 p.m. Warm fires in the fireplaces. Hot chocolate and coffee available.Sponsored by Friends of Orchard Beach State Park. Visit https://www.michigan.org/property/orchard-beach-state-park for more information.

Michigan Legacy Art Park/Crystal Mountain Resort Snowshoe Introduction and Hike, 12500 Mountain Drive, Thompsonville

Enjoy a guided tour of Michigan Legacy Art Park with rental snowshoes from Crystal Mountain.  The special packaged rate of $20 per person includes Crystal Mountain snowshoe rental and Art Park entrance fee per event. Fee is $10 for the hike in the event of no snow. Remaining Saturday dates are Feb. 11 and Feb. 18.

The snowshoe tours will include an introduction to using snowshoes, followed by a one-hour snowshoe around the Art Park. To attend the tour, arrive at 9:30 a.m. at Park at Water’s Edge (across from the Mountain Market) at Crystal Mountain to register and be sized for rental snowshoes. Tours begin at 10 a.m. at the Art Park.  Visit https://michlegacyartpark.org/snowshoe-series/ for more information.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, C.S. Mott Arcadia Dunes Natural Area, north of the scenic overlook and Arcadia, on M-22

A guided snowshoe hike led by Sally Manke will be offered on Jan. 28, 1-3 p.m., at Arcadia Dunes, Camp Arcadia Loop. On February 11, Mark Rogers will lead a hike from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Upper Manistee Headwaters. Find details at www.gtrlc.org

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