Crooked River Getaway
Crooked River Lodge -
www.staffords.com
The Crooked River connects Crooked Lake to Burt Lake as the waters of the Inland Waterway flow toward distant Lake Huron. The waterway drops two feet at the Crooked River Lock in Alanson. Alanson, with its quaint swinging bridge, Hillside Gardens, Inland Waterway Museum, and the Crooked River Lodge, is a beautiful spot from which to explore the northeast on a Michigan 3 Day Getaway.
The Crooked River lives up to its name with picturesque spots like the Devil's Elbow and the Oxbow. Visitors in kayaks and canoes will often encounter deer, herons and other wildlife at these spots and others. Boaters can go on a color tour on the Inland Water Way and cruise Maple Bay and Burt Lake.
Day 1 - Around Town - Inland Waterway Museum - Hillside
Gardens - Railroad Depot
Day 2 - Scenic Drive - Tunnel of Trees - Good Hart General
Store - 100 Steps Gorge
Day 3 - Petoskey - Petoskey Stones - Staffords Art Gallery -
Urban Water Fall
Along The Way - Dark Sky Park - There are only a few International Dark Sky Parks in the United States. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park is in the extreme northwest corner of Emmet County. Dark Sky Parks are protected lands that possess exceptionally starry night skies. Headlands is 600 acres of old growth forest with more than 4 miles of trails. This park includes more than two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline where 80+ ships have wrecked. The shoreline is a great place to see the northern lights. There is also a self-guided cell phone tour. From Alanson go north on 31 to Carp Lake. Go west to Route C-81 and go north to Cecil Bay. Watch for W. Central Ave. Go west and be aware that some of the roads may be a bit rough.
The Crooked River Getaway is a fun Michigan back roads trip.