AREA ATTRACTIONS
Big Bear Adventures
FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING MEMORABLE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES FOR GUESTS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS. PADDLE THE CRYSTAL-CLEAR STURGEON RIVER (THE FASTEST IN MICHIGAN'S LOWER PENINSULA!) ON OUR EXCITING KAYAK, RAFT AND TUBE TRIPS. TEST YOUR ABILITY WHILE HAVING FUN ON OUR 18-HOLE ADVENTURE GOLF COURSE OR OUR ROPES CHALLENGE COURSE AND BUMPER BOATS! TAKE A RIDE ON OUR GUIDED ATV TOURS AND EXPERIENCE WINTER'S SPLENDOR ON OUR UNIQUE GUIDED WINTER RAFT TRIPS, X-C SKI OR SNOWSHOE RENTALS. WE CAN ACCOMMODATE GROUPS OF ALL SIZES AND GROUP PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE.
**Guests of the Northwoods Lodge receive a VIP 10% off discount for activities at Big Bear Adventures and the Indian River Subway located inside Big Bear Adventures (some exclusions apply).
Big Bear Adventures, 4271 S. Straits Hwy., Indian River MI 49749
Website:
http://www.bigbearadventures.com/
The Cross in the Woods
Mass Schedule Year Round:
Saturday: 4:30 pm
Sunday: 8:30am (indoor) and 10:30am
Monday thru Friday: 8:30am and Noon
In 1954, the Cross, made from a Redwood tree was erected. Renowned Michigan sculptor, Marshall M. Fredericks created a bronze image of the crucified Jesus which was raised into place in 1959 to complete the Crucifix.
Interesting Statistics about the Cross
- 1953 Redwood tree cut down in the mountains of Oregon.
- 1954 Cross is 55 feet high, 22 feet wide
- 1959 Corpus (or body) designed by Marshall Fredericks was cast in bronze at a foundry in Norway, weighing 7 tons, 28 feet head to toe, and outstretched arms span 21 feet.
- 1992 Corpus was cleaned and Cross repainted beige to emphasize the bronze corpus. Corpus is cleaned and waxed every two years.
For More Information Contact:
The Cross in the Woods
Phone: (231) 238-8973
Website: www.crossinthewoods.com
Fishing
In addition to the Inland Waterway there are numerous other rivers, lakes and streams located nearby on which you may enjoy a variety of fishing opportunities. There is no time like the spring to enjoy fantastic fishing. See the current Michigan fishing guide for regulations.
For More Information Contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website: www.michigan.gov/dnr
HIKING
There are many beautiful hiking trails in the Indian River area and there is no time like spring to be out enjoying the beauties of nature. The Wildwood Hills pathway, the Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial pathway and the Black Mountain Forest pathway are all within a few minutes of Indian River.
For more information contact:
Dept of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website: www.michigan.gov/dnr
Cooperation Park
One of the best community resources for people of all ages in Indian River is Cooperation Park. This park cover 51.78 acres and includes baseball fields, a skateboard park, a nature trail, tennis courts, basketball courts, a large children’s playground, horse shoe pits and soccer fields. No matter what a person’s outdoor hobby or age, they are bound to find fun during all seasons at this wonderful community park.
For More Information Contact:
Tuscarora Township Parks Commission
Phone: (231) 238-7865
Inland Waterway
This unique chain of lakes and rivers is sure to please any boating or fishing enthusiast. Whether you are looking for a leisurely excursion filled with wildlife and scenic beauty, or more active journey with waterskiing, tubing and swimming the Inland Waterway is just right for you.
Crooked and Pickerel Lakes
Both Crooked and Pickerel Lakes are noted for good fishing, and relatively deep lakes given their more compact size in comparison to Burt and Mullett Lakes.
Crooked River
To continue your boating journey from Crooked Lake to Burt Lake boaters must travel through the Crooked River and go through the Crooked River Locks which lowers boats two feet to the level of Burt Lake. Navigation on the Crooked River generally limits boats to 25 feet.
Burt Lake
This is Michigan's fourth largest inland lake and is known for its wide span of water and its beautiful bays. There are two nature preserves on the shores of Burt Lake, Seven Springs Nature Preserve and Colonial Point Forest/Chaboiganing Nature Preserve. Additionally, there are DeVoe Beach, a township park, and Burt Lake State Park both with beautiful sandy beaches for swimming.
Indian River
Connecting Burt and Mullett Lakes is the 5 mile stretch of the Indian River. The area where the Indian River flows into Mullett Lake is a marshy area known as the Indian River Spreads. The Indian River Spreads is a wildlife habitat for a variety of wildlife including Bald Eagle, Osprey, Otters, Loons and other waterfowl.
Mullett Lake
This is Michigan's fifth largest inland lake. Enjoy swimming, tubing, water skiing or fishing on this deep lake.
Cheboygan River
This is the largest river in the Waterway system and it flows into Lake Huron. At is mouth, the Coast Guard Cutter "Mackinaw" makes its home. A drawbridge spans the river downtown and a gate lock raises and lowers boats 12 feet.
North Central State Trail/Snowmobiling
One of the best community resources for people of all ages in Indian River is Cooperation Park. This park cover 51.78 acres and includes baseball fields, a skateboard park, a nature trail, tennis courts, basketball courts, a large children’s playground, horse shoe pits and soccer fields. No matter what a person’s outdoor hobby or age, they are bound to find fun during all seasons at this wonderful community park.
For More Information Contact:
Tuscarora Township Parks Commission
Phone: (231) 238-7865
Sturgeon Viewing Tours
Each spring, the famed lake sturgeon head up select rivers to spawn. The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Sturgeon for Tomorrow host a Sturgeon Viewing Guided Tour. Experts from the Watershed Council, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Sturgeon for Tomorrow, and other scientists will be on hand to talk about Lake Sturgeon, poaching enforcement, netting and tagging, recent Black Lake Watershed research, and the Watershed Council’s restoration work to improve sturgeon habitat.
For more information contact:
Sturgeon For Tomorrow Black Lake Chapter
Phone: (231) 625-2776
Website: www.sturgeonfortomorrow.org
Elk Viewing
Visitors to Indian River are only minutes away from the Pigeon River Country State Forest, a prime location for catching a glimpse of the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi.
The best times of day for viewing the elk are dawn and dusk. At these times the elk will feed in forest openings and fields. Stop by the Chamber office to pick up an elk viewing map.
Download our full color Elk Viewing brochure here.
For more information contact:
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Gaylord District Office
Phone: (989) 732-3541
Website: www.michigan.gov/dnr
Golf
This beautiful 18-hole championship golf course is carved out of virgin pine. There are four different teeing areas for golfers of all calibers. This 3 ½ star rated golf course is truly a gem, and we hope you, will stop in and enjoy the experience the Indian River Golf Club has to offer.
For more information contact:
Indian River Golf Club
Phone: (231) 238-7011
Seven Springs Nature Preserve
53 acres. 2,200 feet of frontage along Burt Lake. The property includes a shoreline of cobble beaches and beds of emergent rushes, numerous springs that provide habitat for endangered species, dense forested wetlands and upland forest. A bluff runs just back from the water's edge. Over one mile of trails with a lake overlook. Located on the southeast side of Burt Lake; parking is at the preserve sign on Chippewa Beach Road.
Address:
Wright Road
Indian River, MI 49749
Driving Directions
Phone:(231) 347-0991
Email:anne@landtrust.org
Odawa Casino
Odawa Casino in Petoskey is the premier visitor destination in northern Michigan. Inside, guests will find 1,300 slot machines, dozens of Las Vegas-style table games, unique shopping, incomparable dining experiences and the best service around.
Address:
1760 Lears Road
Petoskey, MI 49770
Phone:(877) 442-6464
American Chillers Headquarters – Chillermania
Christopher Wright is the author of dozens of horror fiction books for children and young adults. He writes under the pseudonyms Johnathan Rand and Christopher Knight. Almost all of Wright's books (save American Chillers) take place in his home state of Michigan. Visit his work headquarters in Indian River!
1651 South Straits Highway, Indian River, MI 49749
www.americanchillers.com