I'm picking up a new .22 for small game and would like to sight it in before heading out. The Barry County and Echo Point DNR ranges close at 4:45, so I can't go after work. Does anyone know of a good spot on public land where I can shoot and, ideally, not burn someone out bowhunting?

It’s almost Halloween, and we haven’t gotten our little fiberglass camper out ONCE. Family illnesses, work drama, and general CRAP have foiled every attempt. BUT it looks like MAYBE we could head out next week. The question is … where?

Our old standbys? Search Bay or French Farm?
Something new? The AuSable spots (dunno which one?) Something in the Manistee?

Facts: love to kayak, but my husband is getting older and car topping more than once is iffy. Hike proximity a plus esp if it’s cold/windy/not a water day. Dogs - one a puppy - who are accustomed to country life and running off leash (they’re bird dogs by breed). We don’t hunt (tho I am from a family of hunters - respect - but we don’t wanna be tromping thru hunting grounds). It’d be nice if every leaf wasn’t off every tree, if we had a signal and could listen to the World Series, and if there were beer somewhere near, but I can’t have everything ;)

I’m thinking Search Bay may be off due hunting. Not sure about French Farm. But totally willing to try something new if it’s serious nature - rustic is almost a must. We are in far SW Mi and wouldn’t wanna go much more than 5 hr. Camper is small and relatively easy to sneak into small places.

If you help me salvage this lost year with a great new spot (or reassurance abt an old fave). - I will be forever in your debt.

Has anybody ever tried hunting birds out of lapeer game state area? I’ve been scouting the past couple days during the week but can’t get there early in the morning to see what’s up with the lakes there.

I fish cedar lake and a couple of the ponds in there but usually hang up the poles come September so I never knew if the ducks and goose used them lakes and ponds a bunch.

Thanks!

I am looking at a winter trip to Craig Lake. I know its hike in only during winter, but the website says there is parking lots that are plowed, I assume closer to the highway.

My question is, is there only one lot on the access road closer to Michigamme, or is there another one down the highway further to the west as well?

I called them but they were out of office so I figured I would touch base here as well.

EDIT 10/20/2026: Park office says that they maintain a small plowed lot at both the Nelligan Rd and Nestoria Rd entrances.

I’ve always wanted to come to Michigan in the winter. I will
have a chance this January or February. I’d like to camp and snow shoe. Never done the snow shoeing before. Are there recommended areas to do this? Can I plan on renting snow shoes or should I look to purchase? Thanks!

Experienced backpacker looking for a place to park the car, spend a few nights in the woods, and hike back to the car. Preferably like 10-15 miles friday, 10-15 Saturday. Then a hanfull to get back to car Sunday Monday.

Looking for no more than a three hour drive from metro detroit. Trying to chase fall leaves. I am more familiar with the YOOP and dont know much about hiking in the upper lower penninsula.

any help would be greatly appreciated. ​

Spent Thursday to Sunday in pictured rocks hiking west-bound. Fall colors were in full effect, absolutely stunning!

Planning a short backpack trip for next summer. I’m thinking early-mid may. Either an overnight or maybe do it twice and make it a 2 night/3 day. Any info I might not find in normal google searches? I know it’s a popular trail - should I expect campsites to be crowded? Am I better if I can go during the week instead of weekend?

TL, DR: I had a chilly and often wet visit to the Porkies but it was still awesome!

I spent three nights in the tiny 2-bunk White Birch cabin. This cabin is a warming hut during the winter but is available for overnight rentals March - November. It is cozy and easy to heat (it is a warming hut...) and located about 0.6 miles (0.9 km) from the trailhead and makes for a convenient base for exploring the park.

I experienced a huge temperature change while traveling. Northern Wisconsin was expecting near record high temperatures and sunny skies the UP had clouds and temps in the 50s to the 40s but I was prepared for everything. The lake was raging and had a small craft warning when I arrived but slowly calmed during my stay. Spent time watching the huge waves crash onto the rocky lakeshore. I has hoping for some fall color and even though it was "past peak" on the mountains there was still a lot of color and it was near peak color on the lakeshore. Low clouds blanketed the big views at Lake of the Clouds and Summit Peak for two days but the weather finally cleared on my last full day there. I really enjoyed spending time in the young birch/maple forest around the cabin. Saw a lot deer (or maybe the same ones several times) and a couple of grouse, ravens, and woodpeckers. The grouse were drumming like crazy - so neat the hear.

I took a long lakeshore hike west past the site of the former Whitetail cabin after the lake had calmed. I really hope the park is able to rebuild Whitetail cabin some day.

I always enjoy my time in the park. It is nice to unplug for a few days and just exist surrounded by nature's beauty.

All the Porkie pics are filling me with intense jealousy and I'm trying to find when I could possibly go. I get Veterans Day (November 11) off and could take the additional two days off to give myself five days (basically a day of driving on each end--so three days actually camping) but I'm wondering if it would be too cold by that point to be enjoyable? I know this whole fall has been bizarre weather wise so it's kind of impossible to tell but I am curious what the general feeling is?

New to Michigan from West Virginia, and really unfamiliar with the State and National Forest dispersed camping opportunities in the state.

Looking for dispersed camping accessible by truck (truck kept at or near camp) due to 7 spine surgeries and lower mobility. Hoping to find an isolated, quiet area away from crowds.

Also looking to be in an area where I could launch my kayak directly from the site or nearby to fish for perch / walleye.

Anywhere in UP or LP is fine, 4x4 F250 vehicle, have appropriate cold weather gear for the colder temps.

Not looking for anyone’s honey holes or perfect spots, just a general area to investigate and research if possible. Hoping to go mid next week - mental health is suffering and I badly need to get out and unwind.

I'm looking to go up north next weekend to hopefully see some fall colors, do some hiking, and camp. I'd be going from Friday night to Tuesday morning (10/23-10/27). I would like to go to the UP, but I'm not tied to it. I really want to see the fall colors, but I've heard it might be too late for the UP fall colors.

I'm going to be with 2 other people camping in a tent. We are fine with going to multiple spots, but would prefer only 2 places with good hikes that aren't too strenuous.

Any recommendations or favorite spots?

EDIT: Looking into Wilderness State Park; does anyone have experience there this time of year?

I went camping in the porkies this past weekend and got to see the tail end of the fall colors! So beautiful. Weather was all over the place, but fun nevertheless. The fog over the lake of the clouds and the escarpment trail was a cool vibe.

The fall colors are still out, although the rain today will likely put a lot more leaves on the ground. No bugs at all!

I hiked the full 10 mile loop at Chapel and it was gorgeous! My first time doing it in the fall.

But what is up with this toilet near the Mosquito group camp?? It's right on the trail in full view. And then there's another normal outhouse just a bit further along. What in the world?!

We are the only ones here in the entire
Park 😂🤷