Twelve lakes and interconnected rivers shape the Chain of Lakes Water Trail in Antrim County. This makes the waterways a special way to experience the region: paddling takes you between small, quiet lakes and larger bodies of water. On land, discoveries lead through protected areas, wetlands and places with a distinctive cultural history. Which side you want to get to know better depends on whether you prefer to be on the water, explore trails, or focus on art and history.
Paddle between quiet lakes and larger bodies of water
The Upper Chain includes small, quiet lakes and is suitable for most paddlers. The Lower Chain features larger lakes, more motorboat traffic and possible waves; it is recommended for experienced paddlers. Weather and water levels affect conditions on both sections. If you are planning a longer trip, a 7.4-mile paddling route from Ohio Street to Clam Lake offers a specific guide: it runs along the Intermediate River, Lake Bellaire and the Grass River, following the protected shores of the Grass River Natural Area. Conditions and access can change seasonally; check both before setting out.
At the Grass River Natural Area, kayaking is possible along the entire 2.5-mile stretch of the Grass River, as well as on Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake. Guided kayak river tours are also offered there in summer and fall. Tour dates and reservations are seasonal. When choosing between a self-guided paddle and a guided experience, both your preferred format and the time of year matter. Weather and water levels remain important factors on the water.
Explore protected areas and trails on foot
The Grass River Natural Area is a 1,502-acre nature preserve surrounding the Grass River, in the heart of Antrim County. Seven miles of trails are suitable for easy walks. There are also 1.6 miles of accessible boardwalks and gravel trails through northern fen and cedar swamp wetlands. The different types of trails give the area a distinctive range of options: short, easy walks alongside trails where you can get to know the wetlands more closely. The trails are open daily from morning until evening; check the current operating information before your visit.
A different landscape awaits at the Antrim Creek Natural Area. It is located in Banks Township in Antrim County, two miles west of Atwood on Lake Michigan. The area encompasses 156 acres of land with nearly a mile of shoreline along Grand Traverse Bay. Comparing it with the Grass River Natural Area reveals two different scales for a nature visit: a large preserve surrounding a river with an extensive trail network there, and land and shoreline along Grand Traverse Bay here. The figures for its size and shoreline give the Antrim Creek Natural Area a clear sense of scale.
Art, history and local traditions
Walk of Art, an outdoor sculpture gallery, is located in Antrim County's Elk Rapids Day Park. The park also hosts classes, workshops, concerts and other activities. The art changes over time, and the program is seasonal. A visit can therefore combine outdoor art with a changing range of activities, though they need not be the same kind of experience: the gallery features sculptures, while classes, workshops and concerts add to the park's offerings.
In Bellaire, the Bellaire Historical Museum offers a look at the community's origins and its people and activities from 1865 to 1965. The exhibits also include memorabilia from Antrim County's logging era. The Antrim County Fair has a tradition spanning more than fifty years and takes place at the Antrim County Fairground behind Craven Park in Bellaire. The museum and the fair offer different insights into local history: the museum focuses on community development and the logging era, while the fair represents a long-standing county tradition.
Water and trails at Graves Crossing State Forest
In Antrim County, Graves Crossing State Forest offers more opportunities along the Jordan River: visitors can canoe, fish and hike there. There are also ten sites for tents and small trailers. If you are planning to stay overnight, check the campground's operations and availability in advance. This helps you match what the state forest offers to your interests, whether you want to focus on time by the river, a walk or an overnight stay in a tent.
Discover more destinations: Elk Rapids, Mancelona, Bellaire, Kewadin, Muskegon, Alger County, Marquette County, Washtenaw.
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