West Michigan offers endless opportunities for adventure, catering to all types of thrill-seekers, whether you prefer vast lakes, scenic trails, or energetic indoor facilities. Michigan provides a diverse range of activities that ignite your inner adrenaline junkie and create everlasting memories.
To find more year-round West Michigan Adventures, check out our 2023 Carefree Travel Guide.
South West Michigan Adventures
Experience a summer of thrills and adrenaline at Allegan Event! Just a short drive from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Holland, this premier destination boasts Michigan’s largest indoor high ropes course. It’s a haven for adventure seekers of all ages, offering a bi-level Sky Trail® ropes course with exhilarating Sky Rail® zip rails, a kid-friendly Sky Tykes® course, and exciting Clip ‘n Climb® walls. Afterward, play in the arcade, grab a bite at the food and beverage area, and don’t forget to challenge yourself with the Amaze’n Mazes outside!
Discover endless water adventures in Coldwater Country! With over 100 lakes to explore, you can hop between two stunning chains of lakes: the North Chain and the South Chain. Relax on a pontoon or kayak the Union City Heritage Water Trail, one of Michigan’s nine captivating water trails. Get ready for unforgettable aquatic fun!
Benton Harbor is home to The Woods Fitness Park, the area’s first outdoor workout facility. The facility is designed to promote exercise for all skill levels, from beginners to elite athletes. With over three miles of trails, there are over 60 different obstacles and workout stations to challenge yourself. The park is open daily from dawn until dusk, not to mention canine friends are welcome to enjoy the park as well!
Adventure to Canada without leaving Michigan at the upcoming Canadiana Fest in Kalamazoo, October 7th-8th. Experience live music, delicious cuisine, and traditional performances. Of course, enjoy mouthwatering Canadian treats and savor local craft beers. It will be a festival that you will not want to miss, eh?
Central West Michigan Adventures
Experience ultimate thrills at Skydive Grand Haven! With tandem jumps and experienced instructors, you’ll soar 10,000 feet above Lake Michigan for an unforgettable view. They also offer a student program for solo skydiving and welcome licensed jumpers. And don’t miss Rock The Coast, July 21st-22nd, for an exciting event that brings powerboaters together for a weekend of high-performance boating while supporting Shields of Hope. Get ready for an adrenaline-filled adventure in Grand Haven!
Hop aboard the SS Badger and cross Lake Michigan! This remarkable steamship and car ferry offers daily crossings and monthly shoreline cruises from Ludington. Enjoy the open-air deck, grab a tasty meal onboard, and join the fun with Badger BINGO in the lounge. When you arrive in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, get ready for a fantastic Midwest getaway with plenty of recreational activities to explore. The last coal-powered steamer is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, making it the perfect time to ride on the ferry!
Holland is an adrenaline junkie’s dream! Harley enthusiasts should check out the Beachtowns Motorized Map for the best scenic routes, and self-propelled riders can challenge themselves on twisting sandy hills or reenact the Holland 100 bike race. Get wet and wild on Lake Michigan with kayaking, SUP kiteboarding, and kitesurfing. Take the plunge down a three-story water slide at the Holland Aquatic Center. Try the Warrior Obstacle Course, rock climbing at Scrapyard, or laser tag at Lost City for thrilling challenges. Holland is your ultimate adventure destination!
Learn water sports in a safe, controlled environment at Action Wake Park. Located in Ottawa County, this is Michigan’s first full-size cable park where visitors can wakeboard, water ski, and kneeboard without a boat. This is a park that is great for beginners as well as professionals in their water sports journey. They offer camps for riders of all ages and levels and have rental equipment available for those who need it. This is a great way to spend time on the water, especially if you aren’t quite comfortable behind a boat.
Northern West Michigan and UP Adventures
Michigan Sport Fishing Company in Manistee has incredible fishing experiences! With experienced guides and top-notch equipment, they ensure a successful and memorable fishing trip. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, their knowledgeable team will guide you to the best fishing spots across Michigan’s scenic lakes and rivers. Get ready to reel in the big catch with Michigan Sport Fishing Company!
Holiday Vacation Rentals are the perfect place to stay during your Northern Michigan getaway. You can bike from Harbor Springs to Petoskey on the Wheelway, hike the North Country Trail from Petoskey to Mackinaw City, and travel the Inland Waterway from Crooked Lake to Lake Huron!
Get ready for a skydiving adventure of a lifetime in Charlevoix, where breathtaking views and thrilling moments await! Skydive Charlevoix offers an experience that will leave you forever changed. Feel the adrenaline rush as you freefall at 120 mph, followed by a serene canopy ride back to their stunning landing area. Jumping from up to 2 miles high with up to 60 seconds of freefall, you’ll witness awe-inspiring sights like the majestic Mackinac Bridge, scenic Beaver Island, and the picturesque Grand Traverse Bay. With jumps available, seven days a week, don’t wait to make that exhilarating leap.
Your island adventure starts with Mackinac Island Ferry Company, offering adult round-trip ferry tickets. Interact with pirates on a thrilling Pirate Cruise or hop aboard a Hydro-Jet ferry to reach the island. Experience the ultimate adventure on Mackinac Island! From British Landing to Haldimand Bay, a world of excitement awaits you. Explore the island by land with options like biking the Iron Belle trail or horseback riding through wooded trails and historic streets. Dive into history at Fort Mackinac with captivating re-enactments, or join a spooky walking tour with Haunts of Mackinac. If water is more your element, soar through the straits with parasailing or embark on a kayaking tour with Great Turtle Kayak Tours.
The Keweenaw Peninsula is well-known for its exciting outdoor recreation opportunities. Cruise down scenic ATV trails on your way to a remote destination like High Rock, or join Keweenaw Adventure Company on a guided sea kayaking or mountain biking tour. There is no shortage of adventure here in the Keweenaw.
Get ready to unleash your inner adrenaline junkie in the Petoskey Area! From heart-pounding downhill mountain biking to thrilling zipline tours, water sport rentals, off-road adventures, exhilarating river rafting, and even the epic SkyBridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain Resort, the Petoskey Area has the perfect recipe for an adrenaline-fueled adventure!
Gear up and prepare for an outdoor adventure in Cadillac! Whether you bring your boats, paddle boards, or kayaks or rent them, there’s plenty of excitement on the lakes, rivers, and trails. For avid hikers and bikers, the scenic trails offer endless opportunities to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty. From water sports to off-road exploration, Cadillac is your ultimate destination for outdoor fun. Get ready to make unforgettable memories!
Experience the thrill of real rapids and endless fun on Michigan’s Pine River! Located in Wellston, MI, the Pine River Paddlesports Center offers canoe, kayak, and raft rentals on one of the few rivers in the state with Class I whitewater. From splashy water to exciting rapids, this river has it all. Suitable for paddlers of all ages, from 2-year-olds to 102-year-olds, the Pine River caters to everyone’s enjoyment. Whether you prefer a calm stretch or an adrenaline-pumping ride, the Pine River has something for every skill level.
Experience the ultimate adventure at Shanty Creek! Embark on an exhilarating day of tubing, water skiing, and soaking up the sun on Torch Lake amidst the 75-mile Chain of Lakes. Indulge in the natural beauty of Bellaire as roads wind through captivating lakeshores, serene rivers, and breathtaking wetlands. For outdoor enthusiasts, Shanty Creek offers quick access to the renowned Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area, a premier mountain biking trail.
If you’re looking for endless summer adventure this season, there is no better time to visit the dynamic outdoor destination of Marquette County. With countless natural waterfalls to explore 83 miles of shoreline, 150 streams, over 300 lakes, and nearly 350 miles of some of the best hiking and biking trails in the U.S., Marquette is the place to be for all your adventure travel needs.
Nearby Adventures
Kenosha, in the southeast corner of Wisconsin, offers many opportunities for the outdoor adventurer. Boundless Adventures is an outdoor aerial adventure park. Charter fishing excursions on Lake Michigan are offered through the Kenosha Charter Boat Association. Sailing charters are available with Sail Away Charters. The Kenosha Community Sailing Center offers these rentals in the harbor: stand-up paddleboard, kayak, duck-themed pedal boat, and new in 2023: Aquacycle Trikes.
