When You Go Rustic Camping; Go Rustic

Posted on April 22nd, 2021

As part of its Project Rustic this summer, the Michigan DNR is promoting its system of small rustic campgrounds with Paige Lackey visiting 77 of Michigan’s 145 state forest campgrounds. She’s going to pull up in a 33-foot-long Class C motorhome that features two slideouts, sleeps up to sev… read more

Funding Our Natural Gems – Users or Society?

Posted on January 15th, 2019

Cross-country skiing on a snowy winter day in a Michigan State Park. The “opt-out” bills for the Recreation Passport didn’t survive the lame-duck session in Lansing last month despite all the support for them. But in this latest Trail Talk blog for MichiganTrailMaps.com Jim DuFresne argue… read more

Improving a Passport to Michigan’s Parks & Trails

Posted on December 14th, 2018

In this Trail Talk blog from MichiganTrailMaps.com, Jim DuFresne looks into a last-minute bill in front of our lame-duck legislators that is incredibly important to anybody who loves Michigan’s parks and trails. Don’t forget our a holiday sale is still on for a few more days; save 2… read more

#OptingOut of the #OptOutside Movement

Posted on November 23rd, 2018

The #OptOutside movement is full of good intentions but do they have to hold it today? Jim DuFresne our main blogger at MichiganTrailMaps.com, wonders if there isn’t a worse day than the final Friday of November to encourage people to go outdoors in Michigan. What this day is great for is plannin… read more

If Not Us, Then Who Pays?

Posted on June 20th, 2018

As the traditional outdoor sports of hunting and fishing decline in participation, there is concern about who is going to pay for the upkeep of our woods, waters and wildlife. Jim DuFresne looks into that issue in the latest Trail Talk blog from MichiganTrailMaps.com and concludes it has to be the re… read more

Reserving Your Slice of the Wilderness

Posted on March 27th, 2018

We’ve been getting a lot of emails and comments lately about planning a trip to Isle Royale National Park or Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. So MichiganTrailMaps.com is having its first spring sale! Use coupon code Spring418 when you ch… read more

Timeless In The Porkies & Loving It

Posted on October 16th, 2016

Hey buddy do you know what time it is? Jim DuFresne didn’t. The main Trail Talk blogger for MichiganTrailMaps.com didn’t know the time for five days while backpacking in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. And it was so unusual he almost didn’t want to emerge from those rugged ridges w… read more

Alone in the Winter Woods

Posted on February 20th, 2012

I was the first skier to arrive at Wilderness State Park on Saturday morning after this corner of Emmet County was blessed with three inches of lake-effect snow the night before. I stepped into my skis and headed south on Swamp Line Trail, alone in the woods, surrounded by winter’s stillness. Jim Du… read more

A Tree in the Middle of the Trail: The Need to Support MI State Forests

Posted on November 9th, 2010

A day after the Great Lakes Cyclone, when winds were hitting 60 mph and stronger, I was in the Pigeon River Country State Forest following the 10-Mile Loop of the Shingle Mill Pathway for http://www.MichiganTrailMaps.com. It was still windy, but otherwise the afternoon was cool, clear and crisp, t… read more

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