Michigan travel is fun to plan: here are some great trip ideas and destinations.

Michigan, surrounded by water in almost every direction, is a water sports paradise. Sailing, camping, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing along Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan is like a dream come true. Ludlington State Park, almost 6 miles of shore front on Lake Michigan proudly boasts Big Sable Point Light Station, built in 1867. While there you can canoe through marshes and ponds along Hamlin Lake shoreline, trace the boardwalks, or hike into Manistee National Forest. Wilderness State Park has 8,000 acres of beaches and limestone ledges. Over 100 species of birds nest or migrate through this habitat that seems so far from civilization, yet is just 15 minutes from the Straits of Mackinac vacation area. Miners Castle (pictured above) is one of the rock formations at Pictures Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula. In the same spot you’ll find Twelvemile Beach and Battleship Row.

Each season has its charm and fun activities. Autumn colors are exquisite along the boardwalk of the Presque Isle River Scenic area, when you can see the colors reflected in dozens of waterfalls. Snowshoeing and downhill skiing are exciting, but you won’t want to miss Grand Island National Recreation Area’s glittering ice caves, sparkling towers of ice covered sandstone. Golf to your heart’s content at the championship courses surrounded by spring’s apple and cherry blossoms. Summer’s heat is great for water sports and all kinds of outdoor activities.