A nearly four-mile stretch of road along the North Country Trail passes the fairgrounds and runs through downtown Kalkaska. The trail is one of the longest sections in Kalkaska County and leaves the Pere Marquette State Forest at Kalkaska Road. These directions showcase different sides of the region: forest, open countryside and a route through the heart of town.

Trails between Forest, River and Lakes

At Seven Bridges, a hiking trail with a boardwalk winds through cedar groves and over bridges spanning the Rapid River. The Sand Lakes Quiet Area has a different character: there, trails wind around small, scenic lakes. Both places combine activity with water and forest, but each offers its own distinctive landscape.

Croy Lake Township Park covers 80 acres and offers walking trails for hiking and wildlife viewing. Croy Lake itself is a 2.4-acre inland lake; its shoreline provides opportunities for relaxed fishing. At Rugg Pond, you can fish for brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. The pond is particularly striking in autumn, when its colors are vibrant.

Another river landscape can be found at Upper Manistee Headwaters: The Milock Family Preserve. The area includes about one mile of the North Branch of the Manistee River, as well as Grass Lake and Perch Lake. The Manistee River, part of the National Wild and Scenic River System, runs beside the CCC Bridge State Forest Campground. Here, you’ll encounter both small lakes and headwater landscapes, as well as a river with a designated protected status.

Local History and Events

The Kalkaska County Historical Museum is housed in the train depot building in downtown Kalkaska. The present-day Kalkaska Train Depot opened in 1911 and was converted into a museum in 1970. The former train station thus connects the building’s history with its present-day role as a museum.

Events also offer a glimpse into different sides of the county. The National Trout Festival includes events, activities and parades held primarily at the Kalkaska County Fairgrounds and Railroad Square. If you’re planning your trip around the festival, check the dates. The Kalkaska County Fair is held annually in mid to late summer. Agriculture, livestock and community are among its themes, along with crafts, competitions and 4-H projects. The Kalkaska Winterfest takes place in winter; this annual tradition was established in 1965.

Regional Products Throughout the Year

From May through September, the Kalkaska Farmers Market is held on Tuesdays at Railroad Square. Local produce and crafts are offered there. Since the market is seasonal, it’s worth checking the dates before your trip. Railroad Square is right off US-131 and is also one of the main venues for the National Trout Festival.

The farm store at De Vor Dairy Farm & Creamery offers organic milk, cheese and ice cream. Visitors can also pet and feed cows and bottle-feed a newborn calf; confirm before your trip whether these activities are available. In June, Strawberry Fields Farm Market offers strawberries for picking. Here, too, check seasonal availability in advance.

Campgrounds and Outdoor Activities

Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground borders the Sand Lakes Quiet Area and is set among gently rolling, oak- and pine-wooded hills. It has 35 sites for tents and trailers, including eight walk-in sites. Log Lake County Park and Campground offers 40 wooded sites with electrical hookups, ten of which also have sewer hookups. The park also includes a swimming beach, a disc golf course and a nature trail. These site counts and amenities give you specific details to consider when planning an outdoor stay.

The county also offers a range of options for cyclists: Kalkaska Mountain Bike Trails connect with the Kalkaska-to-Traverse City mountain bike trail. Most riders reach Kalkaska Mountain Bike Trails from the Park’n’Ride lot on West Kalkaska Road. The Iceman race starts at Kalkaska Airport, runs through Pere Marquette State Forest and finishes 30 miles later at Timber Ridge in Traverse City. The trail, local mountain bike routes and race offer different ways to experience the landscape on two wheels.

Explore more destinations: Kalkaska, Arenac County, Houghton, Benzie County, Ogemaw County, Lake County, Macomb, Menominee County

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.