Travel Planner
“Ogemaw County Blog”
Episode #1704 Travel Planner
This is the second in our series of Facebook Video blogs. We share with you 12 months of adventures through Ogemaw County, everything from snowmobiling to Big Foot sightings in Ogemaw County.
Cross Country Skiing
Ogemaw Hills Pathway
Location: Clear Lake Road & Fairview Road
Ogemaw Hills Pathway is located in the hills north of West Branch at the comer of Fairview and Clear Lake Roads. The trails wind through approximately 15 miles of the AuSable State Forest providing groomed cross country trails for all skill levels. Because of its location skiers can usually count on 6 to 10 more inches of snow on the trails than in the lower areas around West Branch and Rose City due to the elevation difference.
- Ogemaw Hills Pathway [West Branch Tourism]
- Ogemaw Hills Pathway Map [Michigan DNR 2.17mb]
Snowmobiling
Location: Trails throughout Ogemaw County
Whatever your preference for outdoor activities in the wintertime, come to Ogemaw County and enjoy the best that nature has to offer. Snowmobilers will find 95 miles of some of the finest groomed trails in Michigan. Easy access to snowmobile trails is one of the many pluses you will find in Ogemaw County. Check with your hotel for the easiest route to any of the trails in the system. Current snow and ski conditions reports are available 24 hours a day at (800) 755-9091 during the winter season.
- Winter Fun [West Branch Tourism]
- Map - Ogemaw County Snowmobile Trails [Michigan DNR] 5.36mb
- Trail Report [West Branch Tourism]
- Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile Club
Victorian Art Fair
Irons Park
Location: off Valley Road & Shrigley Road - West Branch
Victorian Art Fair: thousands from all over the state of Michigan and beyond, come to enjoy a weekend featuring hundreds of exhibits and entertainment. As one of Michigan's finest art fairs, the Victorian-themed extravaganza showcases the work of more than 275 juried vendors, offering handmade crafted items. The whole family will enjoy free entertainment on our outdoor stage and a variety of summer's favorite foods and snacks. The kids can stay cool and have fun in the creek with a duck race and sailboat race, and as well as panning for gold. Children can also take part in watermelon seed spitting, ice cream licking, and even frog jumping contests (supply your own frogs, please)!
- Victorian Art Fair [Aug 8-9, 2020]
- Irons Park [West Branch Tourism]
Wine Tasting
The Silver Lining Boutique & Wine Tasting Room
Location: 224 West Houghton Avenue - West Branch
Phone: (989) 345-5226
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am - 5pm
The Silver Lining is an exquisite boutique and wine tasting room located in a lovely historic building in the heart of downtown Victorian West Branch, Michigan. The building dates to 1899 and has continually operated as a retail establishment. The Modern Craft Winery Tasting Room located inside of The Silver Lining features grape, fruit, mead, varietal, speciality & ice wines! Blackberry Satin, Red Haven Peach, Cherry Pin, Grapefruit Blush and more! Choose from 28 varieties of Michigan wine. Samples are complimentary! Stylish 11 oz wine glasses with the Modern Craft Winery logo are available for $5 each.
Clear Lake Tour
Location: Stearns Park Beach - Ludington, Michigan
Clear Lake is a glacial lake located in northeast Ogemaw County approximately nine miles north of West Branch, Michigan. The entire shoreline of the lake is under private ownership except for a public access site in the southeast corner which is maintained by the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. The access site provides a concrete hard-surfaced boat ramp, in an area of limited water depth where launching and retrieving of largest boats may be difficult and therefore not recommended. The site has eight parking spaces, a public restroom, and a fishing pier/dock. Clear Lake is a medium-sized lake with a surface area of 171 acres and a maximum depth of 59 feet.
Hunting / Archery
Rifle River Recreation Area
Location: 2550 E Rose City Road - Lupton, MI 48635
Phone: (989) 473-2258
The Rifle River Recreation Area covers over 4,000 acres in Ogemaw County. The park offers 159 campsites, has several hiking trails and several lakes in its boundaries. Also in the watershed are two state forest campgrounds. The Rifle River campground provides 40 campsites and is located on both sides of the Rifle River. Hardwood Lake State Forest Campground has 22 campsites available. Public canoe access to the Rifle River is fairly good. The 3D archery course in the park has 10 targets ranging in size from squirrel to elk.
- Rifle River Recreation Area [West Branch Tourism]
ATV Trails
Location: throughout Ogemaw County
Ogemaw County has an extensive trail system and you will find that an ordinance has been passed to make it easier for riders to get back and forth from the trails. This ordinance allows ORV riders to ride on streets and highways in Ogemaw County. We encourage you to become familiar with the ordinance as well as familiarize yourself with the trails maps in the area.
- ORVs/ATVs in Ogemaw County [West Branch Tourism]
- ORV Map (Ogemaw County) [pdf]
Biking
Ogemaw Hills Pathway
Location: Clear Lake Road & Fairview Road
Ogemaw County is an ideal place to spend a day, a long weekend or an entire vacation. Everything you can imagine is here for your enjoyment. We offer many great scenic adventures that will make your stay seem like a fairy tale. Enjoy the beauty of the Ogemaw Hills and the many trails that abound in the area. Let your mind wander back to your childhood and remember the fun you had while enjoying the beauty of nature and the feeling of renewed life that comes with being outdoors.
- Biking (Ogemaw County) [West Branch Tourism]