The outdoors takes on many facets in America’s Heartland.
Laid-back and luxurious Mackinac Island and Lake Geneva hearken back to the 19th century. Sightseeing cruises, boating, paddling and fishing are popular on the region’s waterways, including at Lake of the Ozarks. At Nebraska’s Ponca State Park, visitors can partake in archery, shooting and moonlight hikes. For the ultimate road trip, Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive combines nature, culture and history.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Nature meets luxury on Mackinac Island, which lies between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas in Lake Huron. Visitors ferry to the island because cars are banned as part of the island’s commitment to preserving its natural environment. Since 1887, the Grand Hotel has welcomed countless guests who sit in rocking chairs on its sweeping front porch as they view the Straits of Mackinac and bask in island beauty.
“We’re an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise because people are walking, biking or taking a horse-drawn carriage since no vehicles are allowed,” said Steph Castelein, managing director of Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. “As a May-through-October destination, every season offers changing views of the bluffs, the vistas and the water.”
With lush woods and notable limestone formations, Mackinac Island State Park comprises 84% of the island. Activities include horseback riding, biking the island’s 8-mile trail that loops its perimeter, or exploring more than 70 miles of interior trails that pass iconic sites like Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf. Horse-drawn carriage tours allow visitors to enjoy nature and learn about the island’s history.
Of the island’s two golf courses, The Jewel at Grand Hotel uniquely provides a 1.5-mile, horse-drawn carriage ride between nines. The Wawashkamo Golf Club’s nine-hole links golf course lies on the site of the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island with a cannon at its first hole.
Founded in 1780, Fort Mackinac stands as a walled cluster of military buildings on a coastal bluff. In addition to all the natural beauty and historic sites, no visit is complete without sampling the famous Mackinac Island fudge.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Geneva Lake boasts crystal clear waters encircled by magnificent waterfront mansions and boat docks sporting green-and-white-striped awnings. The calm inlets lend themselves to guided or independent kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing guide services reward with prime catches of bass, trout and walleye. Cruises operated by Lake Geneva Cruise Line deliver lively narratives about the area’s history and residents. Their restored vintage boats include historic yachts, classic steamers and an old-fashioned paddleboat, all with catering available for cocktails or dining.
The lake’s 21-mile shoreline path, formerly a Native American thoroughfare, winds by private mansions and villages. In spots, mature weeping willows sweep over the water, and masses of flowers bloom. The city of Lake Geneva — the lake’s perfect complement — invites visitors to explore its downtown dotted with flower-filled planters. For more than a century, it has hosted visitors who come to browse its specialty shops, dine at local establishments or unwind with spa treatments.
“Communities surrounding Geneva Lake all have their own personality and vibe, and visitors enjoy diverging from the shoreline path and exploring them,” said Deanna Goodwin, vice president of marketing for Visit Lake Geneva.
In the nearby village of Williams Bay, Yerkes Observatory has a historic landscape path as well as observatory tours and star-watch programs. The Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy boasts miles of paths and boardwalks. Situated on 100 acres, Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures gets visitors’ adrenaline pumping.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
More than 1,150 miles of shoreline deliver nonstop fun in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. The lake has a reputation as one of the nation’s best fisheries with plentiful crappie, bass and catfish; Coast Guard-certified guides know the hot spots. Tropic Island Cruises and Celebration Cruises offer 90-minute narrated trips with lunch or dinner options on their 132- and 150-passenger yachts, respectively.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park maintains 15 miles of trail, and the stone ruins of a turn-of-the-20th-century castle lie at trail’s end, high on a bluff. A new interactive scavenger hunt ferrets out popular and hidden gems at seven locations around the lake — highlights include Ha Ha Tonka Spring, a natural bridge and a theater-like sinkhole. Bridal Cave claims more formations per square foot than any other known cave nationwide. Tours highlight immense rock drapery, giant columns, stalactites, stalagmites and Mystery Lake.
Golfers can choose from 12 championship courses on Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail. Courses have been designed among the Ozark rolling hills and forests by some of the game’s greatest players. Top-notch play takes place at Old Kinderhook Resort, The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resort and country-club-like Bear Creek Valley Club. Play occurs most of the year, depending on weather.
“We’re the mecca for all things outdoors with Missouri’s largest lake and largest state park, which is Lake of the Ozarks State Park,” said Heather Brown, executive director of Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. “Groups always enjoy a charter boat cruise, touring Bridal Cave and dining lakeside.”
Ponca, Nebraska
Panoramic views of the Missouri River make Nebraska’s Ponca State Park a picturesque retreat with modern cabins and gathering areas. Located approximately two hours north of Omaha, its forested hills and excellent wildlife watching draw visitors year-round. In spring, the wetlands at Ponca State Park host many migrating bird species, white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. The interpretative center features nature and river history exhibits and interactive displays. Activities include kayaking, archery, shooting, seasonal horseback riding, an outdoor pool and more. Guided naturalist and moonlight hikes give visitors an opportunity to learn about the diversity of plants and animals within the park.
“Our naturalist programs span all ages and interests and give people an opportunity to get outdoors as they bridge the gap between outdoor research and recreation,” said Laura Bettenhausen, outdoor education specialist. “We offer wildlife encounters with our ambassador animals and hands-on activities, such as a build-your-own bird feeder, to focus on experiences and to make memories.”
Ponca has 27 modern cabins for year-round visits; 15 are four-bedroom mini-lodges with two full bathrooms, a kitchen, patio, big screen TV with cable, Wi-Fi, wood fireplace and gas grill. The park hosts numerous events, including the annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo, which is the largest outdoor expo in the Midwest, featuring fishing, kayaking, archery, camping skills, local entertainment, cooking demonstrations, contests, food and craftsmanship demonstrations. Birders will want to attend the park’s Christmas Bird Count, Great Backyard Bird Count or Marsh Madness in spring.
outdoornebraska.gov/location/ponca
North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota
The 154-mile North Shore Scenic Drive weaves along Lake Superior’s coast from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Canadian border. Along the way, dramatic limestone cliffs and picturesque waterfalls wow onlookers.
Gooseberry Falls State Park offers several trails, including the half-mile Falls View Loop highlighting its three main falls. Tettegouche State Park’s lakeside cliffs frame panoramic Lake Superior and afford early morning sightings of soaring Peregrine falcons. Split Rock Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark built in 1910, is one of the state’s most photographed spots. Grand Portage National Monument marks the historic area where 18th-century fur trade thrived, and where travelers on the Great Lakes connected to the riverways.
Further along the drive, the challenging Superior Hiking Trail has short sections for hiking, such as the 2.3-mile Oberg Mountain Loop with an elevation gain of 500 feet that rewards with sweeping views of Lake Superior and is especially showy come autumn. Often the turnaround point, the harbor town of Grand Marais is Minnesota’s oldest art colony, with classes at the North House Folk School and numerous galleries. A three-block area along the harbor is worth exploring for its restaurants and shops. For longer stays, wilderness day hikes access the Gunflint Trail and Superior Hiking Trail, as well as the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for paddling.
“This drive is especially beautiful in summer and fall, and groups can immerse themselves in the outdoors by hiking, paddling and enjoying views of Lake Superior,” said Jen Schak, market development manager at Explore Minnesota.
