This short paddling trip follows the "Wild and Scenic" Jordan River through Jordan Valley providing lots of natural scenery and wildlife viewing opportunity along the way. The river runs through mostly wooded terrain with just a few residential structures visible. The river has a swift flow with some deep holes and lots of log jams and low-hanging trees that provide some challenge and require careful navigation. The take-out at Roger Road is very accessible and has lots of parking.

Trail for hike, run, ski on rolling hills from Shaggy Bark Court to abandoned ski hills in Michewaye.

Traveling past multiple small lakes and the Platte River, this scenic loop hike travels through the diverse and scenic landscape of Pere Marquette State Forest. The trail does have some elevation change as it travels along some higher bluffs and ridges and down to lower areas of small lakes and wetlands. There are a few other connecting trails in the area that can be used to customize a shorter trip or explore other parts of the area.

This scenic paddle starts from the National Lakeshore headquarters at Sand Point and travels out to the popular kayaking destination of Grand Island. After arriving at the island the route follows the shoreline north up to Trout Bay. Trout Bay is a scenic protected area that offers calmer waters for padding. The scenery on the eastern side of Grand Island consists of sandstone cliffs, sea caves, stone arches, and a shipwreck site. There are a few campsites in trout bay that are available on a first come, first served basis, and there are some nice sandy beaches that provide good resting spots. The waters are fairly protected in this area of Lake Superior but windy weather can stir up some rough water so be cautious.

Grand Island is one of the most popular paddling destinations in all of Michigan due to its beautiful scenery consisting of sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches, sea caves, and historic lighthouses. The trip starts from the launch site of the Grand Island Ferry and travels over to the south end of Grand Island. Paddlers can then follow the shoreline up through Murray Bay, a large protected bay that offers lots of forested shoreline with sandy beaches. While the water on the southern end of the island is fairly protected, winds on Lake Superior can stir up some rough, cold waters so be cautious and pay close attention to the weather.

Known best for its colorful and contrasting sandstone cliffs, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers some of the most scenic and enjoyable paddling in all of Michigan. The high cliffs, sea caves, rock arches, sandy beaches, and forested terrain along the lakeshore provide a unique and interesting backdrop for exploration. This section of the lakeshore highlights the most dramatic cliffs of the area as well as some interesting rock formations, two arches and a waterfall. The out-and back trip all the way to Spray Falls is a good option for advanced paddlers but beginner and intermediate paddlers can also enjoy the area by covering shorter distances and staying closer to Miner's Beach. There are not a lot of landing spots along this section of shoreline and waves and cold waters are also hazards and require extra caution.

This section of the Des Plaines River Trail travels along the northern section of the trail between the Russell Road parking area just south of the Wisconsin/Illinois border to the Kilbourne Road parking area south of Highway 41. The trail follows the path of the Des Plaines River past multiple lakes and ponds, forest preserves, wetland areas, and natural areas that are home to abundant scenery, wildlife, and plantlife. The trail follows mostly flat terrain that is easy to follow making it a good option for riders of all skill levels. The trail is crushed limestone and dirt surface and is multi-use so watch out for other users along the route. The trail can be done as an out-and-back route or one-way route by shuttling vehicles between the many access areas along the trail.

This section of the Fox River Bike Trail is a popular route that explores both sides of the Fox River as it travels through multiple forest preserves, parks, and residential neighborhoods. The ride provides lots of good resting spots at historical sites, nature centers, parks, and other points of interest located along the bike trail. The trail is mostly all paved surface, well-marked, and flat making it a great option for riders of all skill levels. The trail continues on for many more miles to the north for riders looking to add some more mileage.

Paddlers will enjoy lots of nature and green space right in the middle of a busy suburban area while paddling along the Northshore Channel of the Chicago River. The channel is tree-lined with parks on both sides along much of the route providing lots of nice scenery and opportunity for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. There is a good access site in Skokie for parking and launching onto the channel. The water is very mild and can be traveled in both directions so shuttling of vehicles is not necessary to travel down the channel.

Edwards Hines Drive follows the scenic and historic Middle Rouge River through the suburbs of Detroit, providing lots of diverse scenery along the way. This popular ride starts from the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center and runs northwest up to the Township of Northville. The route passes through multiple parks and green spaces along the river as well as some historic and charming towns and villages that provide nice resting spots and food stops. The terrain is mostly flat and the shoulder is wide enough for cyclists but traffic can get busy so use caution. Edward Hines Drive starts 6 miles east of Nankin Mills Interpretive Center, providing riders with the option of lengthening the trip substantially if desired.