#Tunnel of trees michigan full

Good HartĬontinuing along the Tunnel of Trees, you’ll encounter a hairpin turn named Devil’s Elbow, which according to Odawa legend is full of spirits and mysterious voices. Bring lots of quarters for fish food and listen to your kids squealing as the trout gobble up the spray of pellets. Stop at Pond Hill Farm, north of Thorne Swift, just off M-119, to feed the fish in the trout pond and visit the animals. The trails are meticulously maintained (and relatively wheelchair accessible), the surroundings are beautifully preserved, and it’s only $5 per car to enter. Just north of Harbor Springs, Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is our favorite hiking spot in the area because of the variety of ecosystems and the access to Lake Michigan. Visitors can learn about the native Odawa Indians, Great Lakes, and in more recent developments, the local ski industry. Harbor Springsįor a taste of local history, pop into the Harbor Springs History Museum on Main Street.

Although summer is the most popular time to visit, the road in spring buffered by pastel flowers, while in fall, gold and red leaves frame the alluring vistas. Traversing the shoreline of Little Traverse Bay from Harbor Springs to Cross Village is a 16-mile long route known for its dense canopy of trees and sweeping views of Lake Michigan. The Tunnel of Trees and Legs Inn are definitely off the beaten path but really should be on everyone’s list of things to do and see when visiting the northwestern corner of Michigan’s mitten.Tooling along M-119, a four hour drive from Ann Arbor, you will find the Tunnel of Trees. Its menu is what really seals the deal though, because you will find some great Polish food there. This historic restaurant built on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is quite a quirky spot! Built of logs, stones and other materials, it is overflowing with wood carvings representative of the Native American culture that was so prevalent in Cross Village for many years. If the weather permits, Jessi and I highly recommend grabbing an outdoor table. It’s called Legs Inn and it’s definitely worth stopping for a bite to eat while relaxing with a fantastic view of Lake Michigan. If you end up with someone in a hurry behind you, it’s worth pulling over to let them pass so you can see the scenery at your own pace, not to mention navigate the curves in your RV a little easier.Īfter you exit the Tunnel of Trees, you will be in a very small town called Cross Village, which is where we found our second off-the-beaten-path jewel in this area. Take your time to meander through this lovely stretch. The big difference is you’re not traveling through a mountain but instead through some beautiful woodlands. The narrow two-lane road becomes more like one-and-a-half lanes of curvy blacktop that runs through what looks to be a tunnel made of trees. This picturesque two-lane road winds its way along the western edge of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, giving you frequent glimpses of Lake Michigan and the beautiful homes built to take advantage of spectacular views.Ĭontinuing north along M-119, you will come up on the Tunnel of Trees. North of Petoskey, the highway turns more inland, so instead, we took the path less traveled and continued north/northwest on M-119. What a treat to find two off the beaten path destinations in one run!įrom Traverse City, we headed north along the coast of Lake Michigan on US-31. Since we had some spare time between our planned departure and our next stop, we decided to take the scenic route through Northern Lower Michigan. In the summer of 2016, we were in Traverse City, Michigan visiting family before heading to Mackinac Island for an event.