The Wonders of Hartwick Pines State Park
(The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round)
Hartwick Pines State Park, in Grayling, MI, is the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula. Covering 9,672 acres of ancient glacial deposits, the park serves as a reminder to Michigan’s past importance in the pine lumber industry. There is a museum in the park that recreates a logging camp using exhibits, artifacts, and
photographs. A bunkhouse, mess hall, blacksmith shop, camp office, and van (store) give the visitor a sense of what logging camp life was like. There are fabulous trails for recreation for every season:
Hartwick Pines-Weary Legs 7.5 mi, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Ski
Hartwick Pines-Deer Run Trail 5 mi, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Ski
Hartwick Pines-Aspen Trail 3 mi, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Ski
Hartwick Pines-Bright and Glory Lakes Trail .25 mi, Fishing, Hiking, Cross Country Ski
Hartwick Pines-Au Sable River Trail 3 mi, Hiking, Cross Country Ski
Hartwick Pines-Old Growth Forest Trail 1.25 mi, Hiking, Cross Country Ski
Consider spending a night or the weekend at Freshwater Vacation Rentals’ Black Bear Lodge on the Au Sable (sleeps 4) or KP Vista Cottage (sleeps 6), where you can go to relax, have a hot shower and enjoy your favorite hot drink after a day in the park.