Ski, Snowshoe, Bike, Hike, Enjoy Nature!
Valley Spur, a favorite Alger County destination for many dedicated cross-country skiers, hikers, and mountain & snow bike enthusiasts, is located on M-94 approximately 5 miles west of Munising, Michigan in the Hiawatha National Forest. We have two parking lots that you can use to access ski, snowshoe and bike trails. The main parking lot where the lodge is located at will access ski, snowshoe and mountain bike trails. Our Upper Parking lot accesses ski trails and the snow bike trails. What is nice about the Upper Parking lot is that you can access flat ski trails (W&Y) and not have to climb or go down Stairway to Heaven Hills. This option is great for the new skiers or people trying to get away from the hills.
The 27 mile (45 km) cross country ski trail system is groomed daily or as the need arises from December (whenever we have snow for grooming) through March so that the trails are always ready. All trails are groomed for both skate and classic ski. Downhill trails are designed with run out and good sight distance keeping safety in mind. Valley Spur usually enjoys a deep snow base getting heavy accumulations from the lake effect snows off Lake Superior which make for a truly unique skiing and snowshoeing experience.
Trail map is Posted in the lodge and are posted throughout the trail system. Maps are also available for printing online. In summer most of these loops are used for mountain bike and hiking trails. There is a designated single track mountain bike trails that is managed by Munising Bay Trail Network during the summer. Like their Facebook Page for information on this trail.
A variety of scenery, including hardwood forests, hemlock groves, pine stands, and a small stream make all 10 loops interesting. Trail “B” is 2.8 miles which follows an old logging railroad spur, hence our name “Valley Spur”. The expert trail “G” is located on a terminal moraine left by the glaciers of the past. Several of the downhill runs follow the old glacial stream beds. The H loop, an intermediate loop, goes through an old growth eastern hemlock stand (Worel’s Woods) that is estimated to be around 300 years old.
Valley Spur Lodge Location:
E8017 State Highway M-94
Latitude: 46.36306 Longitude: -86.69944
Lodge Phone Number: (906) 387-4918
The lodge is open 7 days a week from 10:00am to 4:00pm December through March. You will find the lodge staffed by one of the many Friends of Valley Spur volunteers on Thursdays through Sundays and a kettle on the woodstove heating water for a cup of tea or hot chocolate to warm your bones. The trails are open year round, 24 hours a day. This is a non-lighted trail system so be sure to bring a headlamp at night and use caution. Our ski equipment and snowshoes are available to rent through Southbay Outfitters in downtown Munising. There address is 120 E. Superior Street, Munising, MI 49862. Phone # 906-387-4004.
Season memberships can be purchased in the Valley Spur Lodge during ski season or online. Day passes can be purchased in the lodge during hours of operation or online. Outside of hours, please deposit your money in the fee tubes located at our two trail head for day passes. We don’t have credit card availability at our lodge so it’s cash and check only when paying at the lodge.
Check out Roam‘s latest lifestyle video featuring our beautiful trails!
