Last month the Michigan State Parks were named the best in the nation and this week the North Central State Trail was named as the state’s best example of the rails-to-trails system.
The Mid-America Trails and Greenways Conference bestowed the honor on the trail which runs from Gaylord to Mackinaw City, a length of 62–miles.
“This is a perfect trail to have been chosen,” said Jim Radabaugh, the Recreation and Trails Section manager for the Department of Natural Resources. “From the shores of Mullet Lake to the rolling farm fields near Vanderbilt to the birch trees outside of Gaylord, a day spent on this trail is a day spent experiencing a little slice of Michigan.”
The best place for information at this time on the trail is the Top of Michigan Trails Council. Here you will find information on each section of the trail, a downloadable map and other helpful information.
The North Central State Trail runs along what was once the main line of the Michigan Central Railroad in the upper portion of the state. Originally constructed 1882, the rail carried freight between the tip of the Lower Peninsula to down state areas for nearly 100–years. During its hay day, this north south rail line was the most profitable of the Michigan Central Railroad. But with the advent of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957 and the overall national shift to moving freight by truck, use of the rail line declined until finally it was abandoned.
Not to see the land go fallow, the DNR moved forward to convert the corridor into a rail-to-trail and finally in 2008, the North Central State Trail opened for use. The surface of the trail is crushed limestone, making it perfect for hiking and biking.
Beginning in Gaylord, the trail passes by the cities of Vanderbilt, Wolverine, Indian River and Topinabee before finally ending at Mackinaw City. With the trail running through or past each of these cities, there are plenty of places to start or end a hike or ride on the trail. And for those who wish to go the distance, each of these small towns offer places to grab a meal and places to stay.
With 2,400 miles of rails-to-trails stretching across the upper and lower peninsulas, Michigan leads the nation in converting these corridors into hiking and biking trails.
“We have long been a national leader in both the quality and quantity of our trails,” added Radabaugh. “Michigan’s trail system is a hidden gem.”
To find trails in Michigan the DNR maintains a Trail/Pathway Search page where you can locate trails by name, location, accessibility or activity.
You can also find a vast amount of information on rails-to-trails projects in Michigan and across the nation by paying a visit to the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy web page. From there you can search for trails in each state, find information on new projects and even volunteer to help on projects around the nation.
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