Spring and Summer

Canoeing the Crystal and Platte rivers.

Hiking the many trails or driving through the woods and over the dunes on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

Visiting the Coast Guard Station and Martine Museum.

Testing your stamina on the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb.

All the lakes and rivers in the area makes it a great place for fishing.

Beaches. Beaches. Beaches. Glen Lake, Sleeping Bear Bay, Aral Beach, North Bar Lake, Empire Beach, and others.

Autumn

Canoeing—An especially nice time of the year to canoe the Crystal qnd Platte rivers. Not crowded and the weather is still very comfortable.

Scenic Drive—the color in this area is beautiful and what better place to see it than the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive . Whether you walk out to the lookout points or choose to stay in your car you will find it pleasingly different than in the summer.

Visiting the Coast Guard Station and Martine Museum.

All the lakes and rivers in the area makes it a great place for fishing. It is the peak season for salmon and steelhead especially at the mouths of the Crystal and Platte rivers.

Hiking the National Lakeshore trails is very popular and who could turn down a cookout at beautiful Empire Beach.

Winter

Ice fishing—When there is enough ice on Glen Lake (especially Little Glen), you will see fishermen out enjoying this chilly sport.

Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing the many trails.

In the years when winter is very cold, Lake Michigan forms beautiful ice sculptures along the beach.

Skiing—Both Crystal Mountain and the Homestead have facilities for downhill skiing and snowboarding.

Winterfest—The second weekend in February every year Empire celebrates winter with a Polarbear Dip, ice skating, snow sculpture contest, Potluck dinner +more.