In This Issue
It’s October in Michigan’s state parks and recreation areas when the warm days and Mother Nature’s blaze of color yield to evenings’ cool temperatures and early nightfalls. There's still time to enjoy the colors and get in one last camping trip before storing the gear for winter. It’s time for hot chocolate or warm apple cider and huddling around the bonfire for scary ghost stories.
Visit the the Sturgeon Point or Tawas Point lighthouses and climb their towers during Lighthouse Festival Weekend, Oct. 11-14, for some great views and vantage point photos of Lake Huron, or get ready for Halloween with some spooky tales of unexplained happenings during one of several haunted lighthouse events taking place at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in October.
Fall is at its best in Michigan state parks where the photo ops are stunning and the memories that will carry us through the winter are all Pure Michigan.
 DNR partners with Gogebic Community College for Porkies’ 2012-2013 ski hill operations
The Department of Natural Resources launched a partnership with Gogebic Community College in Ironwood that will allow students from the school’s ski area management department to operate the 400-acre ski hill at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon for the 2012-2013 season.
The use agreement signed on Sept. 13 by DNR Parks and Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson (pictured on the left in the above photo) and Gogebic Community College President Jim Lorenson (pictured on the right) will see the college’s ski area management students handling all aspects of the Porkies’ ski operations from managing and marketing the ski hill, to equipment maintenance, and overseeing the operation of the slope’s onsite restaurant and ski shop.
The students already are working on construction of a rope tow across the top of the ski hill that will give skiers access to the hill's entire western slope.
The Porcupine Mountain Winter Ski area will be open beginning Dec. 15 and will be open seven days a week until Jan. 6. After Jan.6, days of operation will be Friday through Monday. The Porkies Ski Area boasts 200 skiable acres with a 641-foot vertical drop and 12 runs. Its longest run is 1.2 miles long.
Visit Tawas Point and Sturgeon Point lighthouses during Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival
The 18th annual Festival of Great Lakes Lighthouses, when many lighthouses across the state open their doors to guests from around the world, is set for Oct. 11 through Oct. 14, and Tawas Point Lighthouse at Tawas Point State Park in Iosco County is part of the festival. Each day tours of the tower will be available from noon to 6 p.m. for a cost of $2 per person. The newly remodeled lighthouse boasts a working original 4th Order Fresnel light and is situated on Michigan's Lake Huron coastline. For more information about this event, call the park at 989-362-5041.
The Sturgeon Point Lighthouse Association will sponsor its lighthouse festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 14. The Sturgeon Point Lighthouse tower will be open for visitors, and the event will feature exhibits and refreshments. The tower will be sporting a new LED lantern installed by the Coast Guard on Aug. 4 that replaced the original 1889 Fresnel lens. The lighthouse is located on Point Road off of US-23 north of Harrisville. For details on the event, call the Alcona Historical Society, 989-727-4703.
Grand Traverse Haunted Lighthouse Weekend
Many people believe the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is haunted -- at least that's the the story every October when Halloween rolls around. Head for the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Leeleanau State Park north of Northport (Grand Traverse County) and find out for yourself during their Haunted Lighthouse Weekend. Visit the lighthouse from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21 and take one of the guided lighthouse tours. Be prepared to come across some spooky ghouls and goblins (Northport and Traverse City West High School students) as the tour winds through the tower and even the basement. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children. For details, call Leelanau State Park, 231-386-7195.
Historic Ghost Walks at the Grand Traverse Light
It's said that past lighthouse keepers maintain a close watch over the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. Find out more about who lived there and hear some of the strange stories of what volunteers and staff have experienced while at the lighthouse.Historic ghost walks begin at 6:15 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday in October. Listen to what the tour guides say -- then make up your own mind.
Tours depart as soon as groups form. Cost is $10 per person and reservations are required. For reservations, call Leelanau State Park, 231-386-7195.
Haunted Lighthouse Weekend at Tawas Point State Park
Join other campers at Tawas Point State Park in Iosco County on Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 for their annual fun, family Haunted Lighthouse Weekend. The event features fun carnival games and prizes for kids, costumed characters, hayrides, spooky cemetery with interesting tombstones from the community, daytime and nighttime lighthouse tours and it all ends with a Monster Bash Dance in the pavilion.
Don't miss the shipwreck on the front lawn of the lighthouse and the ghoulish music all around. Guests who camp are encouraged to participate in the site decorating contest and trick-or-treating in the campground. Between pumpkin-painting, visiting the Lighthouse Museum Store, taking a lighthouse tour or going on a hayride there will be plenty to do and see that weekend. For more information call Tawas Point State Park, 989-362-5041. For reservations, visit www.midnrreservations or call 800- 447-2757.
 Whooooo's There?
If you've always had a love of owls, this is the event for you. Join the Friends of Maybury State Park from 11 a.m. to noon on Oct. 13 for Recreation 101: Intro to Owls. Learn all about their habits, habitat, and even dissect an owl pellet. The park is located at 20145 Beck Road in Northville. For information call the park, 248-349-8390.
Critters in the Moonlight
The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park will host their annual Critters in the Moonlight Halloween walk from 5 to 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. The walk will start off at the Hartwick Pine’s picnic area.
The walk is geared toward families with young children and leads participants along the park’s Old Growth Trail lit with over 200 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns. Walkers will be led along the trail by a “critter” guide and will encounter several costumed volunteers dressed as larger-than-life woodland creatures including a raccoon, bobcat and gray wolf.The short trail walk takes about 20 minutes. A longer tour around the trail takes about an hour.
Mother Nature's Halloween
Animal actors will share information about Michigan's most misunderstood wildlife during Mother Nature's Halloween taking place from 4 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Bay City State Recreation Area, 3582 State Park Drive in Bay County. Meet at the Visitors Center to learn more about some of Michigan's most frightening creatures and find out about their shrinking wetland habitat and how they actually benefit man as you take the guided hike along a pumpkin lit trail. Free refreshments, crafts and fun for the entire family follow the hike. For more information, call the park at 989-684-3020.
The events are free; however a Recreation Passport is required of all vehicles entering Michigan's state parks and recreation areas. Learn more about the Recreation Passport by visiting www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
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