Adventure Vacation Ideas for Lake Michigan and Leelanau County
Crystal River Kayaking Tour
Experience the beauty of the Crystal River! Splash through its gentle currents and explore its winding trail. Crystal River Outfitters offers a 2-3 hour float down the Crystal River with almost the entire 7 miles spent in the Sleeping Bear National Park. Numerous opportunities exist to view wildlife and various plant species. Bald Eagles, Blue Herons, White Tail Deer, and Otters are just a few of the animals you may be lucky enough to view while paddling down the river. Visitors are encouraged to take their time and take in the pristine beauty that the Sleeping Bear National Park has to offer by packing a picnic to enjoy or taking along fishing gear.
Just remember you may get wet!
For more information, call 231.334.4420 or visit crystalriveroutfitters.com.
Glen Arbor/Good Harbor Bay Kayaking Tour
Access Pyramid Point like few have: from below! Crystal River Outfitters offers self guided kayaking trips around Pyramid Point into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's pristine Good Harbor Bay. On this trip you'll paddle almost directly over a shipwreck in a passage of water that has become famous as Lake Michigan's shipping lane graveyard getting the closest possible near-shore view of "The Crib" and the Shoal Lighthouse constructed there. The Great Lake's last manned offshore lighthouse (until 1980) was built on "The Crib", named for its baby crib like design, in 1935 and is a renowned attraction of the Grand Traverse area. Experience an unparalleled panorama of the area and spectacular views of North Manitou and its Shoal Lighthouse should you elect to beach your kayak and climb to Pyramid Point's crow's nest lookout. All this and more await you on the Glen Arbor/Good Harbor Bay
For more information, call 231.334.4420 or visit crystalriveroutfitters.com.
You can also call 231.325.5622 or visit www.canoemichigan.com.
Climb!
You must climb the dune. So pack your sun block and bottled water, take your sun glasses and hat and head south on M-109 out of Glen Arbor and travel to a stop sign. Turn left and continue on M-109 about 5 miles until you see the dunes on your right.
The climb is longer and more strenuous than it appears but the views from the top are worth every step. When you reach the top we encourage you to enjoy it and strongly discourage you from climbing down the face of the dune as that erodes an already fragile system and leads to a very, very difficult climb back up the dune. When you are done with the climb, head back on M-109 to the beach on Little Glen Lake, about 3 miles, and go for a swim! A Lakeshore Pass which costs $10 and is good for 7 days is required.
