Explorathon: Guided Hike
April 18
$25 – $35Event Navigation
ABOUT THE EVENT
Across 50 years, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan has protected spaces where curiosity grows, and where caring for the earth means caring for each other. In West Michigan’s forests, prairies, and shorelines, protecting habitats also means we’re nurturing the relationships that make conservation possible.
As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we are hosting the Explorathon: a three-event series highlighting connected, protected natural lands and the impact of collaboration in conservation in West Michigan. The Explorathon invites participants to hike along the Lake Michigan Shoreline, bike the varied topography of the Eastern Glacial Corridor, paddle the waters of our Big Forests & Wild Rivers—while learning about, enjoying, and celebrating the ongoing protection of these beautiful natural places. Together, we will explore the land that has been protected over the past 50 years, and we will dream of the impact that can be had in the coming 50.
Join us for the first stop of the Explorathon: a guided hike along the coast of Lake Michigan, featuring a collaboratively protected stretch of lakeshore!
This contiguous parcel of natural land has been protected by the hard work and dedication of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, the Michigan DNR, the Ottawa County Parks Department, and the communities of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Norton Shores, Spring Lake.
Hike participants will travel along the forested dunes of the iconic shoreline, enjoying views of Lake Michigan to the west and the Grand River valley to the east, while learning more about the importance of landscape-level conservation work, hearing stories about how these lands came to be protected, and enjoying the fruits of decades of hard work to protect and restore natural land on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Tickets are required to attend. On-site registration will be available, but space is limited. We recommend registering early to secure your spot!
If you’re interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out directly to han@naturenearby.org.
If you’re interested in volunteering for this event, please reach out directly to kendra@naturenearby.org.
EVENT INFORMATION:
7 Miles
Join us for a 7-mile hike along the coast of Lake Michigan. This route will take participants through the following properties: PJ Hoffmaster State Park, North Ottawa Dunes, Ottawa Sands County Park, KLH Dunes Preserve, and North Shore Fisherman’s Pier. This route is primarily natural surface trails, including some sections of steep hills and sand. When selecting your ticket for this event, you will be able to choose a pace group. This pace group will determine your starting time and hiking speed. Each pace group will have a naturalist guide who will hike with you along the route and share about the history of the property and the natural features along the hike.
2 Miles
Join us for a 2-mile hike around Ottawa Sands County Park. This route takes place on an entirely paved trail and is a great option for those who prefer a shorter route, or those hiking with kids. This is a “no-drop” hike: we will walk at the speed of the slowest participant.
PACE GROUPS:
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Group | 7 mile route, 20-25 min/mile pace, 8:30am departure from Gillette Visitor Center
Karner Blue Butterfly Group | 7 mile route, 26-30 minute per mile pace, 8:45am departure from Gillette Visitor Center
Piping Plover Group | 7 mile route, 31-35 minute per mile pace, 9:00am departure from Gillette Visitor Center
Eastern Box Turtle Group | 7 mile route, 36-40 minute per mile pace, 9:15am departure from Gillette Visitor Center
White Lady Slipper Group | 2 mile route, “no-drop” pace, 10:00am departure from Gillette Visitor Center
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET:
On-Route Support
The 7-mile route includes three aid stations, and the 2-mile route includes one aid station. Each aid station will have snacks and drinks to keep hikers energized throughout the day!
Education
In addition to your pace group’s personal naturalist guide, each aid station will be staffed by our community partners, ready to share about their unique work and the land they protect! You can plan on hearing from the Michigan DNR, Ottawa County Parks, and KLH Dunes Preserve staff and volunteers about their specific work and areas of expertise.
Activities
Optional games and activities to keep you on your toes will be available during the hike.
Prizes
Each participant will receive an LCWM water bottle and a unique, limited-edition Explorathon hike-themed sticker to decorate. *NOTE: Each Explorathon event includes a custom sticker! Participate in all three activities and receive all three stickers to fully customize your water bottle!
Afterparty
Join us immediately following the hike for an afterparty, hosted at the Gillette Visitor Center at PJ Hoffmaster! There will be food, drink, and more! Celebrate your accomplishment of finishing the big hike with us!
PARKING & ARRIVAL:
Parking is available at PJ Hoffmaster State Park, located at 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441.
When you arrive at the state park, please park in the day-use beach parking lot. You can find this lot by following the temporary signage or by taking the first right immediately after the contact (entrance) station, just after the first speed bump. There are two parking lots at the day-use beach. Please park in the lot farthest from the beach. Once you’ve parked, go to the “shuttle pickup” sign – a shuttle will arrive shortly to bring you to the check-in location.
You must have a recreation passport to park at PJ Hoffmaster State Park.
A recreation passport can be purchased with the renewal of your license plates. If you do not have a recreation passport, you can purchase one from the Secretary of State for $15 or on-site when you arrive for $20. If you are planning to purchase a recreation passport on site, you must have cash or a check made out to the “State of Michigan”. If you have any questions about this, please reach out directly to P.J. Hoffmaster at 231-798-3711. *NOTE: If you are unable to purchase a recreation passport for any reason, reach out to your local library! Your library card may give you access to a “Michigan Activity Pass”, which provides card holders with a free state park visit!
We will provide a shuttle from the parking lot to the Visitor Center.
Because a shuttle will take you to the start of the hike, we recommend arriving a minimum of 20 minutes before your pace group takes off. This will allow you time to take the shuttle to the starting location, get checked in at registration, and use the restroom before your group begins. If you are purchasing a ticket on-site, we recommend arriving with a few additional minutes of cushion time.
FAQ’s:
Can I purchase a recreation passport on site?
Yes, a recreation passport can be purchased on site! On site purchases cost $20 and are cash or check (made out to “State of Michigan”) only.
Can I register for the hike day-of on site?
Yes, you can purchase a ticket in person day-of! We will accept cash or card for day-of registration. This event has limited space, so we recommend securing your ticket early, but we will be accepting morning-of registrations. If the event sells out before April 18, we will update the event page to reflect this. If registering day-of, be sure to arrive at registration a minimum of 25 minutes prior to your selected pace group.
Is there anything I should bring with me on the hike?
This is a long hike, so bring what you need to be comfortable. We recommend good walking shoes, sunscreen, layers, and water. Trekking poles and other accommodations to make the journey easier are welcome!
What if I begin the hike but cannot finish the full 7 miles?
We are offering two routes day-of (7 miles and 2 miles), so please choose a distance you are comfortable with! That said, if you are unable to complete whichever route you have signed up for, just alert one of the volunteers with your group. Each group will have a minimum of two volunteers or staff members, and they will ensure your safe and timely return to the Gillette Visitor Center.
After the hike ends, how do we get back to our vehicles?
We will be providing a shuttle from the finish back to P.J. Hoffmaster State Park!
Can I bring my dog?
While we love your furry companions, unfortunately the shuttle service does not allow dogs unless they are a registered service dog.
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
