Hiking & Nature Lodge in Lewiston, MI

Timbertown Lodge sits inside one of the strongest hiking regions in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The Lewiston area is home to over 15 trails covering more than 295 miles, with several flagship pathways within a short drive:

• High Country Pathway: a 70+ mile loop through Pigeon River Country State Forest
• Shingle Mill Pathway: a 10.3-mile loop in Pigeon River Country, rated 4.6 stars on AllTrails
• Shore-to-Shore Trail Spur near Lewiston in the Au Sable State Forest area (part of Michigan's 220-mile cross-state trail)
• State forest pathways throughout Pigeon River Country and Huron National Forest

The mix of short loops and long-distance routes suits everyone from morning walkers to multi-day backpackers.

Yes. The High Country Pathway runs through Pigeon River Country State Forest in Montmorency and Otsego Counties, the same region Timbertown Lodge sits in. The full loop is roughly 70 to 80 miles and provides about a week of backpacking through habitats ranging from rolling hardwood forests to cedar swamps. Day hikers can pick shorter sections by starting from any of the trail's connecting state forest campgrounds (Jackson Lake, Pigeon River Bridge, Pine Grove, Round Lake, Shoepac Lake, Tomahawk Creek Flooding, or Town Corner Lake). See the Michigan DNR High Country Pathway page for the official map.

Yes. Pigeon River Country State Forest is home to one of the largest free-roaming elk herds east of the Mississippi, with approximately 1,000 elk ranging across southern Cheboygan, Otsego, and Montmorency Counties. The DNR maintains 13 designated elk viewing areas throughout the forest, planted with rye, clover, alfalfa, and buckwheat to attract the herd. Elk gather in forest openings at dawn and dusk to feed and socialize, so plan to arrive just before sunrise or just before sunset.

The two prime windows are September through October and late April through mid-May:

• September–October (rut): the breeding season peaks around September 20th. Bulls bugle, spar with antlers, and move actively. This is the most dramatic time to witness elk behavior.
• Late April–mid May: elk are active throughout daylight hours feeding on new green growth, before summer heat pushes them into cover.

The Pigeon River Country viewing areas are managed for public access from the last weekend of April through the last weekend of October. Summer months (June through August) are the hardest time to find elk because they hold in dense cover during the heat.

Yes. The trail network includes short interpretive loops and easy walks alongside the longer backpacking routes. State forest campgrounds throughout Pigeon River Country serve as natural starting points for half-mile to two-mile walking loops where families can move at a comfortable pace. Several of Lewiston's local parks also offer short, flat trails suitable for kids and casual walkers. For longer but still moderate options, sections of the Shingle Mill and High Country pathways can be hiked as out-and-back day trips of three to six miles.

Pigeon River Country is known as "The Big Wild" and supports a deep mix of Michigan wildlife. Beyond elk, hikers commonly see:

• Whitetail deer (abundant throughout the region)
• Wild turkey in hardwood ridges and edge cover
• Black bear (occasional sightings, especially near food sources)
• Ruffed grouse and woodcock in young aspen cover
• Bald eagles along river corridors and over the larger lakes
• Beaver, otter, and waterfowl along the Pigeon, Sturgeon, and Black Rivers

The region's mix of forest, swamp, and river habitats supports far more species than a typical Michigan hike.

Yes. Most of the hiking trail network around Timbertown Lodge is open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. The High Country Pathway, Shingle Mill Pathway, and several state forest pathways become winter routes once snow base builds (typically December through March). Lewiston winters reliably produce enough snow for off-trail conditions to be skiable, especially in deep forest sections protected from melt. Bring your own snowshoes or skis since the lodge doesn't provide gear.

Hike length depends on which trail and how far you go. Some realistic time estimates:

• Short interpretive loops: 30 minutes to 1 hour (under 2 miles)
• Shingle Mill Pathway (full 10.3-mile loop): 4 to 6 hours
• Day section of High Country Pathway: 3 to 6 hours depending on distance
• Full High Country Pathway loop: 5 to 7 days as a backpacking trip
• Elk viewing visit: 1 to 2 hours at dawn or dusk

Plan for slightly longer than the published time when temperatures are high or when bringing kids.

Several authoritative sources publish trail maps for the region:

• Michigan DNR: official trail pages with downloadable maps for each pathway (Pigeon River Country)
• Pigeon River Discovery Center: sells topographic maps including the High Country Pathway
• AllTrails: user-contributed maps and reviews for most trails in the region
• Top of Michigan Trails Council: regional trail resource for Northeast Michigan

Pick up a paper map for any multi-hour hike. Cell signal can be spotty in deep state forest.

A hiking trip pairs well with several other Lewiston-area activities:

• Fishing on East Twin Lake and West Twin Lake
• Hunting on the same public land during open seasons (fall hikers often double-purpose the trip)
• Private 4-lane bowling alley inside the lodge for evenings or weather days
• ORV trail riding directly from the lodge

See the Fishing page, Hunting page, Bowling page, and ORV Trails page for details.