The KART (Kalkaska Area Recreation & Transportation)Trail was dedicated in 2007. This eight-foot wide, two-mile long, non-motorized trail can be accessed at the Kalkaska County Fairgrounds on M 72 West where there is plenty of parking. The free trail can be used for walking, biking, cross country skiing, roller blading, running, or other types of non-motorized activity. The trail connects the fairgrounds, Kaliseum, Kalkaska Public Schools, and Kalkaska County buildings. In the future it is hoped the trail can be expanded and connect to other trails in the area.

Kalkaska County Museum open summer  Wednesday through Saturday afternoons from 1-4 pm. The museum is located on South Cedar Street in the old depot, right next to “The Trout”. Information is available regarding people, places, dates, business, early residents, churches, schools, local government, industries, export products, clubs, and fraternal organizations from days gone by in Kalkaska County. There is even the “Elmer” car on display, a vehicle built in Kalkaska by Elmer F. Johnson in 1898. No cost, but they accept donations.

Fife Lake Area Historical Museum open Memorial Day to Labor Day on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

       

Grandview Golf Club        (231) 258-3244        3003 Hagni Road NE, PO Box 1229, Kalkaska, MI 49646        18 holes; 6,400 yards, located 5 miles east of Kalkaska on Hagni Road off County Road 612. Restaurant offers panoramic view of course.        

Timber Wolf Golf Club        (231) 258-5685        5646 M 72 SE, Kalkaska, MI 49646        18 holes; 6,500 yards;         Opened in 1997, Scenic, hilly course carved through acres of pine trees. Located 6 miles east of Kalkaska on M 72.

               

Twin Birch Golf Course, LLC        (231) 258-9691        1030 County Rd 612 NE, Kalkaska, MI 49646        18 holes; 6,133 yards. Complex includes driving range, pro shop, putting green, and restaurant. Located 1 mile east of Kalkaska on County Road 612

Country Lanes Bowling Center    (231) 369-2732       3138 US 131, South Boardman, MI 49680       

Bowling,games, food and cocktails

Whitetails Steak & Ale,     (231) 258-6800         510 N Cedar Street, Kalkaska     Bowling, food, and cocktails

Imagination Station - large playground in the Village of Kalkaska, one block east of the main street or highway on Laurel Street. Pavilion, basketball court and bathrooms available.

Freedom Park on Rapid City Road in Rapid City. Picnic area and ball field along the Rapid River.

Springfield Township Recreation Area and Eagle Ridge overlooks the Manistee River in Springfield Township. Stop by and enjoy the gorgeous views of the Manistee River, go sledding down a great hill, or skate on the ice rink in winter. There are 40 acres bordered by state land. You can cross country ski, warm up in the pavilion, During the warmer months play on the playground, hike the trails and have a picnic. From Kalkaska take M 66 south 13 miles south to Lund Road. Turn right (west) and go 4 miles to Creighton Road. Turn left into the Springfield Recreation Area. It is a dirt road. There is a pavilion area about 1/4 mile from the entrance.

Rugg Pond is located about 4 miles north of M 72 West on Valley Road in Rapid River Township. There is a pond for fishing, trails for walking, swans, and beautiful scenery year around. Ambrose E. Palmer founded the Kalkaska Light and Power Company and built a dam and power plant where the two branches of the Rapid River meet northwest of Kalkaska. He reportedly commissioned farmers to haul wagon loads of stone to the pond to create the dam's foundation. The electric plant served Kalkaska and the surrounding area. Legend has it that author Ernest Hemingway once spent a night fishing from the Rugg Pond dam powerhouse.

Consumers Power bought the plant in 1950 but sold it to the county in 1953 for $1. The dam was condemned by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1980, but two years later concerned citizens formed Save Rugg Pond Natural Area. Because of them, the restful, scenic site exists today for all to enjoy.        

Lakes & Trails Power Sports, LLC        (231) 258-6767        2229 US 131, Kalkaska, MI 49646        

Rent a boat or snowmobile from Sunset Watersports/Snowblitz Snowmobile Rentals. Call 231-932-1800 for more information

Snowmobile Trails: Kalkaska County gets an average 126 inches of snow each winter and has over 80 miles of trails, including the Blue Bear and Cranberry, are groomed by the Department of Natural Resources. The 36-mile long Blue Bear Trail is located in the northeastern portion of the county near Blue Lake. The Blue Bear and Cranberry Trail are both about 12 feet wide and stretch from Antrim County on the north to Missaukee county to the south of Kalkaska County. The Boardman Valley Trail is located on the western side of they county. Miss Kal-Line  connects the Cranberry Trail to the Lake City area.

Snow Packers Club House on Island Lake Road just west of the Village of Kalkaska has heat, restrooms, eating facility (cook or bring your own), and parking. Boardman Valley Trail begins here and goes west into Grand Traverse County.

Designated Village of Kalkaska streets for snowmobilers to use to reach motels, restaurants and gas stations from the trails are: Island Lake Road (First Street), Cedar Street, Walnut Street, M 72 (West Mile Road), Division Street, Birch Street, and West Kalkaska Road or you may travel by the shortest possible route to the nearest street specifically designated for snowmobile travel.

Other staging areas: Supply Road near Dead Horse Road, Fife Lake staging area in the Village of Fife Lake, , Blue Bear and Cranberry Trail staging area off M 72 near Sunset Trail Road, and Miss Kal Line  staging area near Cannon Creek and 13 Mile Road.

Kaliseum: 1900 Fairground Road (231) 258-5913 A facility whose mission is to enhance the quality of life by providing spectator events, aquatic, ice rink and other athletic and community activities at the greatest possible value while maintaining a safe, friendly and family oriented environment.

Hockey: Bay Area Co-op High School Team - for information call Tom Hardy at (231) 946-1180

Men’s hockey leagues - games begin in October. For further information call (231) 258-5913.

Seven Bridges: located on the east side of Valley Road, 5 miles north of M 72 west of Kalkaska. Seven Bridges is best known for its rustic wooden bridges built at various sites cross the Rapid River and its adjacent tributaries. Rapid River is a blue ribbon trout stream and the Seven Bridges area has over one mile of river frontage. Since 1998, Seven Bridges has been owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and is an official natural area, protected from development forever. 

Skiing: Downhill skiing or cross country skiing is available only half an hour away in Antrim and Grand Traverse counties. Cross country skiing can also be enjoyed in the Sand Lakes Quiet Area on the Kalkaska / Grand Traverse county line.

Swimming: a public indoor pool is located at the Kaliseum on Fairgrounds Road, at the northwestern edge of the Village of Kalkaska.

Public beaches are located at most of the many lakes in the county. Some of the favorites can be found at Manistee Lake, Torch Lake, Log Lake and Fife Lake.

ORV Trails: Leetsville ORV trail can be accessed just east of the Village of Kalkaska on County Road 612. The trail winds through state land north, parallel to US 131.

Kalkaska ORV Trail can be accessed at Sunset Trail and M 72. The trail makes a big loop north to Starvation Lake, east to the Frederic Trail, and south to Riverview Road.

Frederic ORV Loop can be accessed off County Road 612 and Old Grade Road. From this staging area you can travel north to West Cameron Bridge Road or south to Howes Lake Road.

North Missaukee ORV Trail winds back and forth over the Kalkaska-Missaukee county line from Coster Road to Moorestown Road.

Walking and Horse Trails: Skyline Trail is part of a trail that traverses the entire United States. In our area the trail begins on the east just south of Down River Road on South Branch Road and travels north and west around Lake Margarethe, Bear Lake, Sand Lakes Quiet Area and on toward Brown Bridge Pond. There is a northern trail from Goose Creek to east of Waters and a southern trail from Brown Bridge Pond to Fife Lake and on to Bloomfield Township in Missaukee County.

Frisbie Course: located at Log Lake Park about a mile and a half northeast of Kalkaska via County Road 612 and Log Lake Road.

Dog sled races and weight pull contests: Races and pulling events are held each winter during Winterfest, usually mid to late January (often the third weekend of January).

Horse shows throughout the summer months at the fairgrounds on the northwest edge of the village on M 72 West.

July 4th Special events/fireworks: Fireworks, a parade and a big community celebration are held annually in Fife Lake and there are also fireworks and special events at the south end of Torch Lake each July 4.

Hunting: Turkey, deer, rabbit, squirrel, fox, and woodcock hunting are conducted annually with varying seasonal dates.

Firearm, bow, and muzzle loading are among the favorite hunting seasons.

Mushroom Hunting: Mid-May is usually the peak season for morel mushroom hunting. For those who know a lot about mushrooms, there are other varieties available throughout the year.

Trillium: a protected white flower with three petals found in wooded areas throughout the county in May or early June.

Car Show: one of many events during National Trout Festival which is always held in conjunction with the opening of trout fishing season the last Saturday in April.

Skate Boarding: A new skate boarding area was built by youths in the community of Fife Lake.

Boat or Canoe Access Sites: Rainbow Jim Bridge on the Manistee River, 5 miles west of Smithville

       CCC Bridge on the Manistee River, 4 miles northeast of Sharon

           Guernsey Lake, 5 miles north of South Boardman

       Three Mile Bend on the Manistee River, 3 miles east of Sharon

            Sand Banks on the Manistee River, 2 miles northeast of Smithville

             Cranberry Lake, 2 miles west of Grayling

             Big Blue Lake, 8 miles east of Darragh

            Freedom Park in Rapid City on the Rapid River

            Torch River, Torch Lake, and Skegemog access, 2 miles west of Rapid City

       Smithville on the Manistee River at Smithville

       Pickerel Lake, 4 miles northeast of Darragh

             Starvation Lake, 7 miles northeast of Darragh

             Bear Lake, 11 miles northwest of Grayling

             Cub Lake, 12 miles west of Grayling

            Indian Lake 7 miles northeast of Darragh

             Big Twin Lake, 5 miles northeast of Darragh

             East Lake, 6 miles east of South Boardman

Lakes for fishing: Bear Lake - perch and bass

               Big Twin Lake - trout and bass

               Big Blue Lake - trout and bluegill

               Cub Lake - bluegill, walleye, and bass

               East Lake - bluegill, walleye, and bass

               Guernsey Lake - trout bluegill, perch, and bass

               Indian Lake - bluegill and bass

               Manistee Lake - bluegill, crappie, perch, walleye, bass, and sunfish

               Pickerel Lake - bluegill, perch, walleye, and bass

               Skegemog Lake - northern pike, musky, perch, and bass

               Starvation Lake - trout, bluegill, and bass

Streams: Boardman River - trout

                Manistee River - trout

                Rapid River - trout, steelhead, and northern pike

Fishing licenses are available at McLeans's Hardware (231-258-9136), 109 Oak Street, Kalkaska and sports shops in the area.

Canoeing: Shel-Haven is located on the Manistee River halfway between Kalkaska  and Grayling on M 72. They have equipment for canoeing, tubing, rafting and kayaking. Call (989) 348-2158 for more information.

State Land: over half the land in Kalkaska County belongs to the State of Michigan.

Fall Color Tours: peak color in the beautiful forests of Kalkaska County can be viewed around the first to middle of October. Areas of particular beauty are Skegemog Lake Quiet Area, Valley Road, Rapid City Road.

Guernsey Camp: 8 miles west of Kalkaska via North River Road., across the road from Quiet Area, river water, undeveloped land.

Guernsey Lake: 8 miles west of Kalkaska via Island Lake Road and Campground Road. There are 26 sites, boating, swimming, and pan fishing. The camp is adjacent to Sand Lake Quiet Area and has a pathway to the east and walk-in campsites.

Kalkaska County Campground: Log Lake Road, just northeast of the village limits is open May to September. Campsites are available with electricity and sewers. There  clean restrooms and showers, fire pits and tables. The cost is $15 per night. For reservations call 258-2940.

Pickerel Lake: 13.5 miles northeast of Kalkaska via County Road 612 and Sunset Trail Road. There are 15 sites, boating, swimming, pan fishing, and a trailhead is located on M 72.

CCC Bridge: 10 miles southeast of Kalkaska via M 72 and Sunset Trail Road. There are 32 sites, canoeing, trout fishing on the Manistee River, canoeing and group campsites. The ORV trailhead is located on M 72.

Kalkaska Camp: Take Beebe Road 1/4 mile north of the Junction with US 131 and County Road 612. Go 3/4 of a mile to Metzgar Road, turn west and go 1 mile, turn south on Rice Road, and the camp is 1/4 of a mile. There is a pump, hitching posts, toilets, and a large site on state land.

Kalkaska RV Park & Campground: open year around at 580 M 72 SE, Kalkaska - (231) 258-9863. There are 88 scenic campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, electric, water, sewer and dumping station. There is also a camp store, heated pool, laundry, playground and volleyball. Open all year and near trails.

        

Kalkaska County Library: 247 S Cedar (231) 258-9411 Genealogy material available.

Senior Center: 303 S Cedar  (231) 258-5030

Breakfasts and lunches served, crafts, bingo, ping pong, sewing, music, card games, pool, dances, classes,  health clinics, field trips, tours, and special events.

Additional senior activity sites at Rapid City, Blue Lake, South Boardman, and CETA Hall.