Snowmobiling in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Our home at Blush Lake, while in the Big Island Lake Wilderness Area, is near the center of prime snowmobiling country. All Forest roads are open to snowmobiling unless otherwise posted. Actually, the Hiawatha National Forest has over 3,000 miles of roads and trails open to snowmobiling. Regulations and Snowmobile Trail Maps are available online and at the District Offices of the Hiawatha National Forest.

The Munising District of the Hiawatha National Forest maintains a trail network totalling 55 miles of groomed trails. The Manistique District of the Forest maintains a network of 35 miles. These trails connect, and also connect with other trails making it possible to pretty much go anywhere in the U.P. by snowmobile! At this posting, we have about 30" of snow on the ground and the trails are good!

Kentucky Trail (Co. Rd. 445), runs NW along the west Big Island Lake Wilderness boundary from Thunder Lake Rd and crosses Forest Hwy. 13 about 8 miles south of Wetmore. At our driveway, about 1 1/2 miles north of Thunder Lake Rd., the road ceases to be plowed, and Kentucky Trail becomes a wide, clear snowmobile trail for another 7 miles or so. Turning north along Forest Hwy. 13 you can hit the Coalwood Grade, part of the Munising Ranger District trail network.

From Forest Hwy. 13 going South on Kentucky Trail, turning East on Thunder Lake Rd. will take you through Steuben, MI and to the Haywire Grade. This groomed trail travels North and South. South will take you toward Manistique, and will tie into other trails which will take you west toward Nahma, and from there on toward Escanaba. The Lots of good motels and cabins are available in Manistique, Munising and in the Hiawatha Forest. It is a tough choice where to go, but not a tough choice to come!