Outdoors Life

High-powered boats designed to create big waves are dividing watersports fans and lakefront residents angry about property damage and erosion. A battle is brewing over whether to regulate them.

From renting to volunteering, opportunities abound in Michigan to sleep in lighthouse quarters. We followed along as guests slept on the grounds of the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse in the Thumb.

Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state and some offer a place to stay

Frankfort and 10 other Michigan communities received state funds for boating upgrades through the DNR’s Waterways Grant Program. The grants support repairs, studies and expansion of public access to water.

What does Pure Michigan smell like to you? The state’s tourism brand thinks FRESH, a new summer scent launching with a custom perfumery that promises to evoke ‘beachy vacation days in the Great Lakes State.’

A young black bear in Montmorency County was freed by wildlife biologists on June 2 after living for two years with a plastic lid stuck around its neck. The lid likely came from a bait container that didn’t meet the requirements permitted in Michigan.

The commission hasn’t voted on the proposal to make coyote hunting year-round since first introducing the idea in March.

Reaching the top of this point in the Huron Mountains was voted #6 on the Michigan Dreaming Summer Bucket List.

An Ingham County Circuit Court judge said the Natural Resources Commission’s decision last year to shorten the coyote hunting season was legally sound.

Kona Hills Campground is a private campground started by three local friends. It’ll give access to a popular local attraction overlooking Lake Superior.

The Straits of Mackinac holds the 2019 record for the most red-tail hawk crossings in North America in a single season.

The DNR has opposed lifting a ban on deer baiting int he Lower Peninsula over worries about the spread of chronic wasting disease. But pro-baiting lawmakers think they have a new bargaining chip: The DNR needs money.

Back-and-forth federal hiring policies from the Trump administration have left a number of uncertainties about whether national parks will be adequately staffed for the busy summer season.

Ever dreamed of flying a seaplane to Isle Royale or bunking in a lighthouse? These reader-recommended summer picks offer unforgettable Michigan adventures.

Hunters across the UP will be able to shoot antlerless deer with bows this season under rules approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which again delayed a potential vote on year-round coyote hunting.

Bridge readers offered more than 100 Michigan summer bucket list suggestions. Now, we need you to help us make the final list.

Heading to a state park soon? Some Michigan parks are still closed for ice storm repairs or renovations, while others are back open with new features. Here’s what you need to know.

Cleanup efforts after the historic March event are shifting to making trails usable for locals and visitors. Find out how you can help.

Many gardeners love native plants because they’re hardy and serve native wildlife.

The bear population in Michigan is expanding south and west in the Lower Peninsula.