There are many different ways to enjoy the outdoors in the Great Lakes State. Whether you are looking to roam along the sandstone cliffs of the Upper Peninsula, or take a leisurely ride through one of Michigan's quaint small towns, Michigan biking is just one of the ways to take it all in. Also, biking in Michigan is a great way to get some exercise while you explore all that awaits you. The wind on your face and the freedom of cruising your cares away make Michigan biking a joy, and there are many State Park trails to accommodate those looking to test their skills on different terrains. There are currently 36 clubs that belong to the League of Michigan Bicyclists, and even if you don't live here, you can benefit from their dedication to making their towns and communities more bicycle friendly. You can grab a "biking in Michigan packet of information" through the Department of Tourism, and a "bicycle ride calendar" to learn all about the top areas for Michigan biking. The calendar will inform you about the over 100 bicycle events that occur statewide every year, so gear up and take advantage of all the wonderful biking opportunities in Michigan that will have you spinning your wheels with a big smile on your face.

One of the most popular trails for biking in Michigan is the Kal Haven Trail. The trail runs from the Lake Michigan beachtown of South Haven and runs 34 miles to Kalamazoo, and is made of limestone/slag. Along your route, you'll cross seven bridges, with a covered bridge near South Haven. Restaurants and lodging are scarce along the trail, as there are no large towns along the trail. The Kal Haven central headquarters are found in Bloomingdale at the halfway point. In Muskegon, another popular vacation town with great Michigan beaches, you'll find one end of the Musketawa Trail. It is the longest paved trail in Michigan at 26 miles, and it ends in the town of Marne, near Grand Rapids, in Ottawa county. This trail has great sights running past farmland, wetland, and over several creeks. It was designated a Community Millennium Trail by the White House Millennium Council.

Many people like to to keep their riding to a leisurely pace, with some looking for the rough mountain bike terrain found in the State Parks. Since The Department of Tourism sees bicycling as an important part of Michigan's tourism industry, there are plenty of options for both. Biking in Michigan is a great way to enjoy the scenery of the state's abundant coastline and inland rivers and lakes, and you are never more than 20 minutes from water. Bikes are allowed on all paved and non-paved roads in all 97 state parks and recreation areas, and marked paths for mountain bikers offer changing gradients and rugged paths. If you want to mix biking with Michigan camping you can find a Michigan State Park, Recreation Area or State Forest Campground with the options you are looking for.

Michigan Map

There are plenty of Michigan bicycle tours for residents or visitors geared at making your time away from responsibility a joy on two wheels. The League of Michigan Bicyclists offers 5 Michigan bicycle tours during the summer months that highlight some of the best in Michigan biking. One of the Michigan bicycle tours they offer is The Shoreline Bicycle Tour. It's a 7 day road tour covering 440 miles from Spring Lake to Mackinaw City. Along the way you'll visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and stop in Traverse City.

Whether you are enjoying the southern part of the state, or looking for the bike trails northern Michigan offers, you are never far from a riding opportunity. The Upper peninsula offers thousands of miles of biking networks, and there are plenty of Michigan bed and breakfasts, cottages, motels, and campgrounds between stops. Michigan has it all for bicyclists and you'll find that wherever you vacation, there will be a great biking opportunity for yourself or your group.