Northern Lower Peninsula – Bike Touring and Bikepacking Destination
Come discover the Northern Lower Peninsula, Michigan’s premier bikepacking destination

What is bikepacking?
Riding a bicycle longer distances, staying overnight along the way at either hotels or campsites. Bring minimal gear with you and stay in a hotel or pack up your panniers or trailer and camp out under the stars.

What is the Northern Lower Peninsula Trail Network?
250+ miles of bicycle trails crisscrossing the Norther Lower Peninsula (NLP) of Michigan from Lake Huron to the Straits of Mackinac and from the Central highlands to Lake Michigan. These trails have been developed by both the State of Michigan and local municipalities and the network is expanding every year.

Bikepacking the NLP you can stay entirely on easy developed bicycle trails (mostly rail-trails) or combine trails and rural roads creating an endless number of opportunities. There are plenty of hotels and various types of camping opportunities. The small towns, parks and developed trails a make the NLP a wonderful first time bikepacking experience; or for those who want more of a challenge or a longer trip, create loops utilizing low traffic roads.

What might you discover along the NLP?
Incredible vistas, small town charm, historic sites, sinkholes, beautiful barns, remote forest lands, unique shopping, swimming holes, breweries, wineries, wildlife, an underwater observatory, lighthouses, museums, farmers markets, and endless dark skies.

Trail Surface/bicycle type: Most NLP trails are a hard surface made of crushed limestone, best bike choice is a hybrid bike, but any type of bike can be used. 

Overnight Accommodation:

  • Hotels: Available near the trail in the following communities: Alpena, Onaway, Cheboygan, Mackinaw City, Pellston, Alanson, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Rogers City, Indian River, Gaylord and Waters. (visit local chambers and visitors bureaus for more information)
  • DNR camping opportunities directly adjacent to the trails: Aloha State Park, Burt Lake State Park, Otsego Lake State Park, Petoskey State Park, P.H. Hoeft State Park, Young State Park, Haakwood State Forest Campground. Go to: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/
  • DNR camping* nearby: Cheboygan State Park, Fisherman’s Island State Park, Onaway State Park, Wilderness State Park, Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground, Lake Marjory State Forest Campground, Maple Bay State Forest Campground.  Go to: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/
  • Dispersed camping is also allowed in the Mackinac State Forest (green on the map) with a free permit; go to: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/PR4134_CampRegCard_383467_7.pdf
  • Municipal, county and private campgrounds are also nearby in Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Petoskey, Wolverine and Alpena, please check local listings.

Shuttle service:
Work with friends to drop cars or contact Straits Area Ride who provides some shuttle service in Cheboygan/Emmet Counties http://www.cheboygancounty.net/straits-regional-ride-100/ . Big Bear Adventures in Indian River provides private shuttle service. Instead, make a loop on low traffic roads or just turn around and ride back staying at different towns along the way. You can find out about local roads good for riding contact the Top of Michigan Trails Council and ask to get a copy of their cycling map, www.trailscouncil.org or on MDOT’s Bicycle Maps (you will need both the Northwest and Northeast Michigan maps to cover the area. You can download or order the maps at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9615_11223-146053–,00.html .

———————

Potential Itineraries

There are many great beginner bike touring and bikepacking opportunities that you can do in a weekend! Here are some ideas for your adventure:

Lake to Lake Route

Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, 140+ miles on trail from Alpena to Charlevoix, three days two nights. Dip your foot in Lake Huron before you set off and end with it in Lake Michigan (this can be done in reverse!). Entirely on trail.

Hotel Option (3 days/2 nights):

Day One: (48 miles) Alpena to Onaway
Alpena Bi-Path, 3 miles
North Eastern State Trail, 45 miles to Onaway
Overnight in Onaway

Day Two: (42 miles) Onaway to Mackinaw City
North Eastern State Trail, 26 miles
North Central State Trail, 16 miles to Mackinaw City
Overnight in Mackinaw City

Day Three: (55 miles) Mackinaw City to Charlevoix
North Western State Trail, 32 miles
Little Traverse Wheelway, 20 miles
Charlevoix Township Bike path, 3 miles

Camping Option (3-4 days/2-3 nights)

Day One: (65 miles) Alpena to Aloha*
Alpena Bi-Path, 3 miles
North Eastern State Trail, 62 miles
Overnight at Aloha State Park

Day two: (56 miles) Aloha to Petoskey
North Eastern State Trail, 8 miles
North Central State Trail, 16 miles
North Western State Trail, 32 miles
Overnight at Petoskey State Park

Day three: (23 miles) Petoskey to Charlevoix
Little Traverse Wheelway, 20 miles
Charlevoix Township Pathway, 3 miles

* Day one could be split into two days as follows (making this a four day three night trip):
Day One: (42 miles) Alpena to Ocqueoc Falls
Alpena Bi-Path, 3 miles
North Eastern State Trail, 35 miles to Millersburg
Local Roads, 4 miles
Overnight Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground

Day two: (31 miles) Ocqueoc Falls to Aloha
Local Roads, 4 miles
North Eastern State Trail, 27 miles
Overnight at Aloha State Park

Highlands to Bay Route

A perfect weekend adventure from Gaylord to Petoskey, 97 miles. Start in Gaylord in what is known as the central highlands of the Lower Peninsula and ride along the scenic North Central State Trail to the Straits of Mackinac and on to Little Traverse Bay. (This option can easily be done in either direction but note there is a 770’ elevation drop from Gaylord to Indian River)

Hotel Option (2 days/ 1 night):

Day One: (46 miles) Gaylord to Cheboygan
North Central State Trail, 46 miles
Overnight in Cheboygan

Day Two (51 miles) Cheboygan to Petoskey
North Central State Trail, 16 miles
North Western State Trail, 32 miles
Little Traverse Wheelway, 3 miles

Camping Option (3 days/2 nights):

Day one: (29 miles) Gaylord to Indian River
North Central State Trail, 28 miles
Indian River pathway, 1 miles
Overnight at Burt Lake State Park

Day two: (32 miles) Indian River to Mackinaw City
Indian River pathway, 1 miles
North Central State Trail, 31 miles
Overnight at Mill Creek Campground (private) near Mackinaw City

Day three: (38 miles) Mackinaw City to Petoskey
North Central State Trail, 3 miles
North Western State Trail, 32 miles
Little Traverse Wheelway, 3 miles

You can easily add a day on to this adventure by continuing to Charlevoix (additional 23 miles) or add on an out and back trip to Harbor Springs for an additional 10 miles.

You can always add an extra day in Mackinaw City and spend the day riding around Mackinac Island too.