Northern Shores Vacation Rentals

Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort 4050 Hammond Road East
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 947-2770
(800) 909-2327

Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort's property borders over 60,000 acres of state land and is attached to the popular scenic pathway, known as the VASA trail. This trail system covers over 50 kilometers and runs through both hilly and wooded areas. Trails are both beginner and advanced -- lessons available. 2K of trails lighted for night skiing.  10 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Rates range from $3 (kids 12 yrs and under) - $7 adults/day.

Grass River Natural Area -- Two loops of trails for a total of 3/4 mile winding through meadow, forest, cedar groves and wetland marshes.  The Grass River Natural Area entrance is off Alden Highway (Co. Rd. 618), 4 miles northeast of Alden, 4 miles south of Bellaie and 8 miles west of Mancelona.  (231) 533-8314 or info@grassriver.org.

Hickory Hills -- Beginner to advanced trails on the west side of Traverse City. Three miles of groomed trails. Owned and operated by the City of Traverse City.  Fee $1/day or $5/season.  No rentals available.

Leelanau State Park -- Approximately six miles of trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. Located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, take County Road 629 north out of Northport to Densmore Road, then left to the designated parking area.

Leelanau Trail -- A 15 mile trail that runs from Traverse City to Suttons Bay, mostly flat with a few easy grades. Groomed. In the summer, it functions as a bike trail. Three trail head parking areas: off Cherry Bend Road and off Fouch Road in Traverse City, and off Fourth Street in Suttons Bay

Lost Lake Ski Trail (Lake Dubonnet) -- Three loops offer a total of 6.5 miles of trails winding through the Lost Lake Natural Area. Trails are located 1 mile north of US 31 on Gonder Road just west of Interlochen Corners.

Muncie Lakes Pathway -- This pathway has 10 miles of beginner-to-advanced trails located in the Boardman River Valley. Accessible from Ranch Rudolf or plowed parking areas off Brownbridge Road east of Ranch Rudolf. Trails are approximately 14 miles southeast of Traverse City.

Old Mission Lighthouse Township Park -- A small trail system located within the Township Park at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula. Follow M 37 (Center Road) to its end.

Sand Lakes Quiet Area -- This is the place year 'round for people who like to confront nature on nature's terms. In winter this means on snowshoes traversing ungroomed trails. The trails have numerous loops within a non-motorized section of the Pere Marquette State Forest. Several small lakes dot the property. Short loops and longer distances constitute trails for all ability levels. The trailhead is located on Broomhead Road, four miles south of M 72 East between Acme and Kalkaska.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore -- Many trails are located within the 70,000 acre federally owned park. Maps are available at the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Center in Empire. Park fee is $10 for seven days or $20 for a year paid at the Visitor Center. Trails within the park are:

Alligator Hill
More than eight miles of trails dividing into easy, intermediate and advanced loops. Scenic overlooks offering views of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Enter trail off Pierce Stocking Road just off Day Forest Road near M 109 in Glen Arbor.

Bay View Trail
About eight miles of easy-to-advanced skiing. Trailhead on north end of Thoreson Road, 3.5 miles north of Glen Arbor.

Empire Bluffs
A 1.5-mile round trip advanced trail with two spectacular overlooks. Trailhead off Wilco Road, Near M 22 south of Empire.

Good Harbor Bay
A 2.8 mile beginner loop near the shores of Lake Michigan. Trailhead is 10 miles northeast of Glen Arbor on Lake Michigan off County Road 669.

Old Indian Trail A 2.5 mile trail divided into an easy and an intermediate loop. Trailhead is on M 22 just north of Sutter Road.

Platte Plains
A 14.7 mile trail with several loops in varying degrees of difficulty providing access to several backcountry lakes. Enter at the end of Esch Road before Lake Michigan or south of Trails End Road along M 22.

Scenic Drive Trail
About eight miles of easy to advanced skiing. Trailhead is just inside the entrance to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

Windy Moraine
A 1.5 mile advanced loop north of Empire on Welch Road off M 109.

Vasa Trail -- Avid cross-country skiers flock to this trail just outside of Traverse City in the Pere Marquette State Forest. Groomed course for skating and striding. 3K, 5K, 11K and 25K loops provide great scenery and plenty of challenge. The main trailhead is located in Acme Township Park on Bartlett Road, off Bunker Hill Road in Acme. A large parking lot, indoor restrooms and trail maps are available there.