Adventure Awaits in Cross Village!

Before you lace up your hiking boots, make sure to download the AllTrails app so you can hit the trail with confidence!

Spirit Lake Retreat is your home base for exploring the trails, beaches, and local gems of Cross Village, Northern Michigan, and beyond. Whether you're here to hike, relax, or explore Lake Michigan, you'll find your adventure just outside your door.

• Bring bug spray
• Wear layers—Northern Michigan weather changes fast 
• Use AllTrails for offline maps
• Stay hydrated

Start your adventure with a stroll through charming Cross Village, just steps from Spirit Lake Retreat. Pop into Three Pines Studio for local art, grab a keepsake at Peninsulas, explore the blooms at Black Barn Farm, and stock up at The Village Mart. The locals? Friendly as ever and always ready with a smile.

Once you’ve done a loop through town, head down Chippewa Drive and walk to Cross Village Beach — just 10–15 minutes from your front door. It’s the perfect spot to catch a glowing Lake Michigan sunset. 

• Distance: 4.9 miles (loop)
• Drive Time: 15 minutes from Spirit Lake Retreat
• Location: 1999-1567 W Sturgeon Bay Trail, Levering, MI 49755
• Trail Link: AllTrails

Explore 4.9 miles of moderate hiking through scenic woods and sandy shoreline in Mackinaw State Forest. This trail is peaceful and less-traveled, with beautiful Lake Michigan views and birdwatching opportunities. Don’t forget the bug spray!

• Distance: 0.9 miles (loop)
• Drive Time: 20 minutes to Harbor Springs
• Location: 6696 Lower Shore Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
• Trail Link: AllTrails

A peaceful loop trail with forest boardwalks and Lake Michigan overlook platforms. No dogs allowed, but humans will love this quick, scenic escape.

• Distance: 0.8 miles (out-and-back)
• Drive Time: 7 minutes / 15-minute bike ride
• Location: 5581 N Lake Shore Dr, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
• Trail Link: AllTrails

Just outside Cross Village, this easy, quiet trail is perfect for a casual morning walk or a short nature break. Great for birding and low-key adventuring. 

• Distance: 0.5 miles (out-and-back)
• Walkable: 10-minute walk from Spirit Lake Retreat
• Location: Head east on Levering Road; trailhead on left, across from the recycling sign
• Trail Link: Cross Village Trail Info

Enjoy a quiet walk through old-growth woodlands. This township-owned trail is great for birdwatching, solitude, and forest lovers.

• Distance: 5-minute drive
• Location: Head north on North Lakeshore Dr, turn on Spirit Lake Rd (seasonal road)

Wycamp Lake, once known by the Odawa people as Spirit Lake, is a shallow 709-acre lake in Mackinaw State Forest. This area features wetlands, bird habitats, and even archaeological significance—stone tools found here suggest it's been a gathering place for centuries.

Drive as far as you feel comfortable, find a safe place to park, and follow your instincts to the water. A mix of unmarked paths, peaceful forest, and open shoreline awaits.