Empire Location (Northern Michigan, Lower Peninsula)

Address: 10097 W. Front St, Empire, MI 49630

Empire- Store Hours:

Monday: 11-5

Tuesday/Wednesday: Closed

Thursday-Sunday: 11-5

Empire is located in the center of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Empire Bluffs lie to the south and the sand dunes of the National Lakeshore lie to the north, the area has views of the dunes, North Manitou and South Manitouislands, and Lake Michigan. Most Sleeping Bear Dunes panoramas portrayed on postcards are taken from a walking trail which runs to the top of the Empire Bluffs. A wide beach separates Lake Michigan from its close neighbor, South Bar Lake. The much smaller South Bar Lake stays considerably warmer than the big lake during the summer months.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire,_Michigan

Yankee Springs Location (SW Michigan, Lower Peninsula ):

Address: 11420 M-179 Hwy, Middleville, MI 49333 In between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids off 131. 10 minutes east of the Gun Lake Casino, and right next door to the Sand Bar & Grill restaurant.

Yankee Springs- Store Hours:

Friday-Saturday: 11-5

Sunday: 11-3

“Yankee Spring's rugged terrain, bogs, marshes, lakes and streams, lend itself to many forms of recreation outdoor recreation, including 30 miles of hiking trails, 12 miles of mountain bike trails, 10 miles of horseback trails, two public beaches, picnic shelters and two universally accessible fishing piers (one at Gun Lake and one at Deep Lake). In addition, cross-county skiing on more than 10 acres of Nordic ski trails, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice fishing are available in the winter. All together, nine lakes are located within the park boundaries and provide excellent opportunities for fishing and water sports of all kinds.

The park is home to a modern campground on the shore of beautiful Gun Lake and rustic camping at Deep Lake, as well as equestrian and youth organization campgrounds. Three special points of interest include Devil's Soupbowl (a glacially carved kettle formation), Graves Hill Overlook and the Pines

The park is stepped in history as it was once the hunting grounds of the Algonquin Indians and the famous Chieftain, Chief Noonday. The site was established in 1835 and the village was made famous by Yankee Bill Lewis who owned and operated a hotel along the stagecoach run from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids.” - DNR of MICHIGAN