North Western State Trail

About the Trail

Riding “The Fishing Line”

Discover the natural beauty and quaint small towns along “The Fishing Line” from Petoskey to Mackinaw City on the North Western State Trail (NWST). The trail runs along the former Grand Rapids and Indiana line of the Pennsylvania Railroad — once known as “The Fishing Line” — which opened in 1882 and continued in some areas until 1992.

The NWST is 32 miles in length and connects Petoskey, Alanson, Pellston, and Mackinaw City. The 7-mile section between M-119 in Petoskey and Powers Road in Alanson was improved in 2013 with an asphalt surface. The 23-mile segment between Alanson and Mackinaw City was improved in 2015 with a packed crushed limestone surface; two significant bridges were replaced in 2016.

The Top of Michigan Trails Council helped coordinate the various NWST projects with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Emmet County, and the Emmet County Road Commission. Primary funding came from the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Recreation Improvement Fund, the Recreational Trails Program, and Emmet County. Emmet County maintains the trail between Petoskey and Alanson, the DNR maintains it between Alanson and Mackinaw City, and Mackinaw City maintains the portion within the Village limits.

All non-motorized users are welcome year-round (horses must wear a manure bag), and snowmobiles from December 1 to March 31.

Segments, south to north

Petoskey (M-119) to Alanson — 7.5 miles. Spring Lake Park on M-119 serves as the southern trailhead, with parking, bathrooms, water, a bike fix-it station, picnic pavilion, fishing pier, and interpretive trail. The Trails Council headquarters is across M-119 — stop by for maps (always available on the porch) and information. After leaving Petoskey the trail runs adjacent to Mud and Round lakes, with an overlook on Round Lake and a Michigan Historic Marker, then continues through Conway (with an excellent natural spring), past the Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center and Oden Fish Hatchery, and through Oden. At Powers Road the trail ends, and a shared road route is posted along Milton Road (0.5 miles) into downtown Alanson.

Alanson to Pellston — 7.8 miles. While in Alanson, take time to enjoy its small-town charm: the Inland Waterway Museum, the swinging bridge, the Crooked River lock, and Sanctuary Park, where a hand-propelled ferry takes you to an island boardwalk trail. North of Alanson the trail is surfaced with crushed limestone and parallels US-31 through rural farmlands. In Brutus there is a great restaurant and a cider mill, and just before Pellston the trail crosses the Maple River on a newer bridge with a small parking area and scenic site.

Pellston to Mackinaw City — 16.7 miles. Through Pellston the trail is asphalt, running in front of the Pellston Airport (its restrooms and water are open to the public). North of the airport it crosses Van Creek and proceeds through forested wetlands, then through old Levering and up to Carp Lake, crossing the Carp Lake River in a beautiful wetland area with excellent birding. From Carp Lake to Mackinaw City the trail traverses State Forest lands about four miles inland from US-31. From Trails End Road into Mackinaw City the trail is asphalt; after going under I-75 you arrive at the Mackinaw City trailhead, the northern terminus of the NWST. From here you can visit Mackinaw City sites, Mackinac Island, or continue southeast on the North Central State Trail to Cheboygan and beyond.