Michigan
Shore-To-Shore Trail
The Shore-To-Shore
trail was completed in the early 1960's with the assistance of the Michigan
DNR by stringing together and marking a series of trails, two tracks and
forest roads. The first ride on The Michigan Riding and Hiking Trail took
place in 1963. That was the year The Michigan Trail Riders Association
was born. It was one of the few trails in the Midwest offering a
long-distance ride complete with established trail camps along the way. 
More than $100,000
has been put into trail improvements over the last few years. The
organization has worked hard to establish this trail, and even harder to
maintain it. "Work Bees" are scheduled two or three times each year
during which members donate time, bring equipment, and work tirelessly
to keep the trail in top condition. The trail begins in Lake Michigan
at Empire on the west side of the state and ends in Lake Huron near Oscoda
on the eastern side.
Around Traverse
City, the trail cuts through Lake Dubonnet, Muncie Lakes, the Sand Lakes
Quiet Area and then heads north of Kalkaska before continuing eastward.
There's also a southern spur that goes down to Cadillac, and a northern
spur that ends east of Indian River. And the North Country Trail
joins the shore-to-shore trail for a short distance north of Kalkaska.
The trail passes under Interstate 75 north of Grayling and continues eastward
to follow the scenic AuSable river on toward its destination, AuSable just
south of Oscoda.
The trail features
campgrounds, complete with privies and wells, at approximately 18 to 25
mile intervals. Most of the camps overlook lakes or rivers.
The MTRA does
not have anything to do with any other trail system in Michigan.
We maintain over 500 miles of trails between the Shore-to-Shore Trail and
the North-South Trail. If you want information about other riding
areas in Michigan please contact The Michigan Horse Council. PO Box 22008,
Lansing, MI 48909-2008.
