The staff at TraverseArea.com has traveled all over the United States, and beyond. We think that the outdoor opportunities in Northwestern Michigan are as good as you will find just about anywhere.

To help you get the most out of your visit, the TraverseArea.com staff, our friends, and guests, personally visit less-well-known places and tell you all about them in our exclusive Off the Grid.

The following links, State Parks (800-44-PARKS), National Parks, State Forests, and National Forests,   provide all the information most people could ever hope for. Before you head off into the wilderness, you might want to visit the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) field office located at 970 Emerson 231-922-5280, or the State Park located on Munson Avenue (US-31) near the base of East Bay, both in Traverse City. Each site offers regional trail maps as well as maps showing state-owned land.

Something people are getting pretty excited about is the establishment of the North Country Scenic Trail which will stretch 3,200 miles from North Dakota, through Northwestern Michigan to New York state. (NOTE: More miles of this trail will be in Michigan than any other state.)

If you have an interest in Wilderness areas, you will want to visit Michigan Wilderness Areas. Hat's off to the National Park Service who are responsible for the overall administration of the North Country Scenic Trail and interpreting the landscape through which it passes.

For women only: Sisters of the Earth Adventures specializes in Michigan travel and outdoor adventures for women and girls. Sisters of the Earth outdoor adventures are designed so that women may travel softly in appreciation of nature and Mother Earth, while experiencing the natural wonders of Michigan's great outdoors. All necessary gear is provided.