North Western State Trail is Now Complete

The North Western State Trail is 32 miles from M-119 in Petoskey to the trailhead in downtown Mackinaw City. The Carp Lake River Bridge replacement, shown here, was the last part of a recent trail improvement project.
The North Western State Trail is 32 miles from M-119 in Petoskey to the trailhead in downtown Mackinaw City. The Carp Lake River Bridge replacement, shown here, was the last part of a recent trail improvement project.
Michigan DNR
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan-(Ammoland.com)- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that the North Western State Trail bridge projects are finished and the trail is completely open from Petoskey to Mackinaw City. The Carp Lake River Bridge replacement was the final piece of the trail improvement project located in Carp Lake Township (Emmet County).

This bridge project is part of the 32-mile North Western State Trail, located on the former Grand Rapids to Mackinaw railroad between Petoskey and Mackinaw City. The bridge replacement completes an extensive regional trail network connecting Petoskey, Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Gaylord and Alpena. The trail is open year-round to all nonmotorized users, and snowmobiles from Dec. 1 to March 31.

“The Carp Lake River Bridge was the last major piece of the 188-mile trail network,” said Emily Meyerson, the DNR’s northern Lower Peninsula trails coordinator. “You can now ride a bike on a trail from Alpena to Charlevoix.”

A ribbon-cutting celebration for the North Western State Trail will take place later this year. The trail improvements and bridge replacement were funded primarily by the federal Transportation Alternatives Program, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Recreation Improvement Fund.

For more information, contact Emily Meyerson at meyersone@michigan.gov or 231-330-2795.

Learn about the state’s other recreational trail opportunities at www.michigan.gov/dnrtrails.

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