AVID ADVENTURER

All Ways Exploring

The Avid Adventurer is:

Outdoor Adventurous
Escapist/Curious
Seeking Authentic Experiences
Winter Warrior
High Tech Gear Researcher
Travel Planner
Nomad/Backpacker/Camper
Jeep/ATV/ORV Driver
Sports Enthusaist

Taking on Cadillac, One Trail at a Time!

Avid Adventurer: Grab your gear, map your route, and point the GPS toward Cadillac Michigan. Escape from the grind and quell your thirst for adventure. No matter the time of year, Cadillac’s central location has just what you are looking for: multi-terrain trails, ORV/ATV off-road adventure, rustic campgrounds, and access to major rivers and inland lakes.

And when the snow flies, we have the best of what Northern Michigan has to offer the winter warrior: 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 34 downhill ski runs, and 60+ miles of XC and snowshoe trails. Explore the great outdoors, All Ways in Cadillac!

Take Me There

Destination: Cadillac.

Just Your Style.

Explore area destinations selected just for you to make the most of your Cadillac outdoor adventure!

Miles of Multi-Terrain Trails

Major Rivers

Miles of ORV Trails

Campgrounds

ORV/ATV

Fat Tire Biking

MCCCT Off-Road Trail System

Manistee River Trail/North Country Trail Loop

Fife Lake Loop

North Country Trail System

MacKenzie Trail

Big-M Recreation Area

Cadillac Stories

Find the latest news and stories about adventure in the Cadillac region. Our team of local writers dig deep into the region’s recreation and provide our travel community the latest about exploring the area, trails, seasons and so much more.

We welcome you to explore Cadillac.

Out and About, 10 Essentials for Your Next Hiking Trip

By Dave Foley: If you enjoy hiking, be it a day trip or an overnight on the trail, there’s plenty of opportunities in the Cadillac area. Pick any stretch of the more than 50 miles or North Country Trail in our area, or hike the Manistee River Trail between Hodenpyl...

Paddling 5 Northern Waterways This Fall In Cadillac

You don't have to go north to Ontario or the Upper Peninsula to enjoy a wilderness-like paddling experience. In less than an hour's drive from Cadillac, one can find stretches of the Pine and Manistee River as well as the Tippy and Hodenpyl backwater impoundments...

Spring might be the best fishing for walleye, pike, and trout

by Dave Foley Unlike downstate areas, these trout waters won't be crowded. Although there may be several hundred trying their luck on Opening Day, in the Cadillac area, crowding is not a problem. It's likely an angler will fish a stretch of river and rarely see...

Vertical Drop – Skiing in Cadillac

Back in the day, the Cadillac area was the state’s first ski destination. That legacy is a point of pride for the area, but Cadillac’s storied past does not mean that the area is resting on its laurels. These days, Michigan’s oldest ski destination is also...

Horizontal Glide – XC Skiing in Cadillac

Cross County Skiing in Cadillac While Caberfae Peaks offers plenty of thrills for alpine skiers, cross-country skiers can delight in a trio of free, groomed, public trail systems in the Cadillac area. Nearest to Caberfae Peaks is the 10 mile-long McKenzie Trail. Local...

Cadillac is Now a Pure Michigan Trail Town!

The Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau (CAVB) today announced their recognition as one of the state’s newly designated “Pure Michigan Trail Towns.” This milestone comes after several years of collaboration and trail development between a variety of stakeholders and...

Striking Gold in the Cadillac Area This Morel Mushroom Season

Hey everyone, it's Joe and today I have a story to share with you about my recent morel mushroom hunting expedition. Now, normally I'd be hyped up to tell you about my epic haul of these elusive fungi, but unfortunately, this time around, I came up empty-handed. Yep,...

Summer 2020 Family Bucket List – Cadillac, Michigan

Take a Day to go Hiking – from wide trails to forest trekking, there are several trails in the area to take the whole family. Always ensure you pack water, possibly a few snacks and bug spray. Most trails only have bathrooms at the trailhead. Make sure you have a...

Birders Flock To These 8 Locations in and Around Cadillac

By Dave Foley With its mixture of lakes and streams as well as forests, meadows, marshes, and agricultural lands, Cadillac is a natural gathering point for birds, both migratory, and year-round resident flocks. I have worked with veteran local birder, Dave Newhouse,...

Improvements Being Made to the Carl T. Johnson Nature Preserve

Published by the Cadillac Area Land Conservancy Not to be confused with the Carl T. Center Hunting and Fishing Museum and Heritage Park Trails located on the north side of Mitchell State Park near the Canal, the Carl T. Johnson Nature Preserve can be found a ½ mile...