Hiking is a great physical activity but sometimes, there is a lot of ground you would like to cover! Whether it is by motorcycle or car along the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway in summer to enjoy the cooler temps, gentle curves, and lush greenery with stops at Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Oswald's Bear Ranch or absorbing the colors as the season changes, the Paradise area offers trails for four wheelers, ORV's, and snowmobiles as well.

RULES OF THE ROAD Just as the automobile has to be registered and plated, the state of Michigan also has requirements for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. There are restrictions for these vehicles, and we encourage you to complete your research before beginning your route.

SCENIC DRIVES

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan offers many scenic routes year-round for automobiles. The Paradise area is surrounded by state

TAHQUAMENON SCENIC BYWAY is a 63-mile route through the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, centrally located in a mainly wild, untamed region. The route has some 15 designated areas of attractions. It serves as a loop at the intersection of M-123 and M-28 near Hulbert, Michigan, north through Emerson, Paradise, then west through Tahquamenon Falls State Park, then Newberry, Michigan reconnecting with M-28 south of Newberry. www.exploreM123.com

WHITEFISH National Scenic Byway captures the magic of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay. This national route is identified as the route through the National Hiawatha Forrest along the southern shore of Whitefish Bay which begins south of the Tahquamenon River mouth along M-123 to Point Iroquois just west of Brimley. To get the full Whitefish Bay experience, travel M-123 North through Paradise Michigan and then proceed north at the blinking light in town along North Whitefish Point Road to the tip of Whitefish Point. You'll be pleased to find a lighthouse at Point Iroquois and a lighthouse at Whitefish Point as well as the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, and Seney National Wildlife, Whitefish Point Division.

CURLEY LEWIS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY is a state memorial to an early developer of Paradise, Michigan. Identified as a popular motorcycle path, paved, with gentle curves offering connections to Point Iroquois Lighthouse, historic Mission Point, Giant Pines, Naomikong Overlook, Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery, Bark Dock, and Giant Pines Picnic Area.

SHORE-TO-SHORE BIRDING TRAIL is a newly established driving trail that connects areas of birding interest. Whitefish Point is the location of one of North America's largest bird migration routes.

4-WHEEL FUN

Michigan DNR licenses and permits are valid April 1 through March 31 of the following year. Use their map to identify ORV routes and trails & motorcycle trails with seasonal restrictions and special designations. Not all snowmobile trails are open to ORV use. Stay on signed ORV trails. An ideal resource for your ORV fun though is Michigan's Where to Ride Link.

County Roads and two-tracks make perfect 4-wheeling fun! Not all two-tracks are public property so stay alert and use caution in dealing with private property. Paradise Recreational Sports offers ATV, Moped, and Snow Mobile rentals. They will be able to provide you with specific riding information and supplies as well.

SNOWMOBILES

The Paradise Area Night Riders grooms 120 + miles of trails in the Paradise area. These trails are located on public land and private land. Respecting private property owners and for your own safety, please stay on the groomed trail. Under the snow there are all types of tree limbs and stumps that can create chaos for you and or your equipment.

Route SM-8 tends to follow the southern shore of Lake Superior.

Route SM-452 weaves its way around Whitefish Point

Route SM-451 works its way to Tahquamenon Falls.

Route SM-474 travels south of Paradise near the East West Road and into Hulbert.

QUIET TRAILS

There are times you need to stretch your legs and absorb the sounds of the leaves rustling and the trickle of a brook. Foot paths, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, or paddling fulfills a much needed to desire to slow life down a bit. You'll find more information about area quite trails at this link: QUIET TRAILS