2019 Best Counties for Outdoor Activities in MichiganAbout this List

Grand Traverse County

• County in Michigan
• 2 reviews

Former Resident: Traverse City is a beautiful family-friendly town filled with incredible beaches, hiking trails, wineries, breweries, restaurants, activities, and tourist attractions. Downtown has unique restaurants and shopping stores. No matter where you are, you are never further than 10 minutes away from the water. Nightlife is average, with some bars downtown, but there are a lot of places that offer live music. However, cost of living is very expensive, and there is a lack of diversity within the town.
Read 2 Reviews

• A

• A-

• A

• 91,222 Population

Ottawa County

• County in Michigan
• 16 reviews

Current Resident: There are many mom and pop shops in the local area, and many of them are artistically pleasing to visitors from all over the US. Every year there is a festival and all the college students from the area treat themselves to great entertainment and beautiful views on the beach. I would like to see bigger name branded stores in the area, especially for how busy the downtown area can get during the warm seasons. All year long there are job openings and the cost of living is just outstanding from any place i have ever lived. The schools here are very up to date and allows parents to flexibly get involved with their children's learning. Overall, it is an amazingly peaceful place to live.
Read 16 Reviews

• A+

• A

• A

• 280,243 Population

Emmet County

• County in Michigan

• A

• B

• A

• 32,978 Population

Charlevoix County

• County in Michigan
• 3 reviews

Current Resident: Charlevoix is a beautiful place in the summer with plenty of water activities and fun events to enjoy the warm weather. There isn't much to do outside of outdoor activities (beach, mushroom house tours, hiking), which becomes more of an issue in the winter. The extremely cold temperatures and high amounts of snowfall should be considered if you are someone not used to Michigan weather. There is a local ski hill and sledding hill but not many indoor winter activities.

Aside from the entertainment portion, I've had a very good experience with the public school system and the safety of the community.
Read 3 Reviews

• A-

• B+

• A

• 26,160 Population

Washtenaw County

• County in Michigan
• 13 reviews

Current Resident: Washtenaw County is home to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It is always bustling with life and it is very family friendly.
Read 13 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A

• 361,509 Population

Muskegon County

• County in Michigan
• 43 reviews

Current Resident: Muskegon County is very welcoming! We may be small but we are making great advances. Our slogan is Watch mUSkeGOn! The one thing I wish to improve is cleaner highways and beaches. But I know we are working on it! Even my school has yearly beach and highway cleanups. If anyone is visiting Muskegon, they will experience the loving, welcoming, and tight community we have!
Read 43 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• A-

• 172,707 Population

Houghton County

• County in Michigan
• 7 reviews

Current Resident: Houghton County is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise year round! Summers afford outstanding beaches, water sports, hiking, biking and breath taking views. Winters are unparalleled for skiing, skating and snow shoeing. Don't miss out on the small town hospitality!
Read 7 Reviews

• A

• B+

• A-

• 36,333 Population

Kent County

• County in Michigan
• 55 reviews

Current Resident: When I moved to Kent County I was worried because I didn't know anymore and all my life I lived near family. But when I moved here, I felt more comfortable and everyone is nice. As years passed by, you tend to get to know what's around the neighborhood and schools are really close. Not only there are really good schools, but parent don't need to worry because their children are safe. It benefits a lot of residents that don't have a car because stores are really near and it's walkable. Also, parents can walk their kids to school and make sure their safe.
Read 55 Reviews

• A

• A-

• A-

• 636,376 Population

Delta County

• County in Michigan
• 1 review

Current Resident: I have always enjoyed living and growing up on the west side of Lansing. There are many things to do- great stores and restaurants. There are many schools to choose from. There are many parks to go to and recreational activities to participate in. It is also close to East Lansing and even closer to Downtown Lansing. While I can't say that I always fell safe at night, it is still definitely the place I call home. There are many great communities to get involved in.
Read 1 Review

• B

• B-

• A-

• 36,395 Population

Marquette County

• County in Michigan
• 19 reviews

Current Resident: The friendliness of the community and kindness is overwhelming! We are surrounded by amazing views, creative artists and kind souls. Living in this community fees like you are constantly surrounded by family
Read 19 Reviews

• A

• B

• A-

• 67,145 Population

Allegan County

• County in Michigan
• 8 reviews

Current Resident: It is a nice community, mostly clean, reasonable coast of living. The parks are really nice. Public service seems responsive. The housing market is always changing.
Read 8 Reviews

• B+

• B

• A-

• 114,145 Population

Cheboygan County

• County in Michigan

• B-

• C+

• A-

• 25,475 Population

Mackinac County

• County in Michigan

• B

• B-

• A-

• 10,836 Population

Berrien County

• County in Michigan
• 9 reviews

Former Resident: It was a great place to grow up. Living in St Joseph for my entire childhood through high school, I was able to really get to know the community and enjoy what the area had to offer (beaches, hiking, boating, etc...). However, the town is SMALL. The nearest Target just closed and in a lot of cases, everybody know everybody.
Read 9 Reviews

• A-

• B+

• A-

• 154,948 Population

Leelanau County

• County in Michigan

• A+

• A

• A-

• 21,564 Population

Alger County

• County in Michigan
• 1 review

Current Resident: Alger county is a beautiful place to live and to also visit. It is mostly known for its pictured rock lake shore running along Lake Superior. It is a fun and adventurous atmosphere in the summer time with plenty of places to hike. You can visit naturally occurring waterfalls, and also see beautiful rock formations caused by the largest great lake. Another great thing about Alger county is that the crime level is very low, and it is a pretty safe place to live and raise a family. The schools in this county are very small, giving people a chance to get a personal education from the teachers. It is a great place to live or visit.
Read 1 Review

• B+

• B-

• A-

• 9,254 Population

Newaygo County

• County in Michigan
• 6 reviews

Works Here: Newaygo County is an amazing place to grow up, raise a family or even retire. Miles of rivers, trails and tons of lakes offer amazing outdoor recreation options, and our small communities boast great educational options! All Newaygo County students are able to attend Muskegon Community College free through the Newaygo County Promise program!
Read 6 Reviews

• B-

• C+

• A-

• 47,899 Population

Oakland County

• County in Michigan
• 19 reviews

Former Resident: My overall experience of the oakland county was very influential. As a former resident I remember times where me, mother and sibling used to adventure to our house to varies stores around the neighborhood and each time I would learn valuable lessons and see something new in my life. Overall my experiences as a child to teen were fun. Sure there were some scary moment of going out at night cause there weren't many street lights back then but overall I love my childhood cause it helped me be who I am today.
Read 19 Reviews

• A+

• A

• A-

• 1,241,860 Population

Wayne County

• County in Michigan
• 33 reviews

Current Resident: Great place to leave! The public school safety, the interesting night, a very family friendly neighborhood. The real estate market is affordability with many healthy living options that offer a wide variety of diversity. The commute time can vary depending on the possible job opportunities.
Read 33 Reviews

• B

• B-

• A-

• 1,763,822 Population

Kalamazoo County

• County in Michigan
• 88 reviews

Current Resident: I think Kalamazoo has many great options for all types of people. There is a lot of country and beautiful water everywhere. There is also Downtown Kalamazoo that is so great with amazing food and local businesses. It is a fantastic place to live and grow up in!
Read 88 Reviews

• A

• A-

• A-

• 259,830 Population

Ontonagon County

• County in Michigan

• C+

• C+

• A-

• 6,072 Population

Crawford County

• County in Michigan
• 1 review

Current Resident: Two of the most amazing thing about this town is that it lyes in the heart of the Huron National Forest and the beautiful internationally known Ausable River. Within these two amazing places you will find a different way of life. Here is where we care about our neighbors, we consider them family.. As I sit here and try to come up with a reference to give you on what the way of life is here, I simply can not. Inorder to full grasp the understand and way of life here in Crawford County, you have to come to visit for more than a day or two. Once people come here they always come back time and time again, in knowing that there is a simple life here, there's a calmness. You can find it on I75 north bound or I127 North bound once you reach this area on either one of those highways you can physically and spiritually feel the difference the calmness, the stress of your everyday life just float away.
Read 1 Review

• B

• A-

• A-

• 13,821 Population

Antrim County

• County in Michigan

• B

• C+

• A-

• 23,133 Population

Dickinson County

• County in Michigan
• 1 review

Current Resident: The small town feel with safety and kindness is a bonus. Bay College is local for students and good people are found here.
Read 1 Review

• A

• A-

• A-

• 25,694 Population

Mason County

• County in Michigan
• 2 reviews

Current Resident: I love the community of people that live in Mason County. Everyone here seems to really love and enjoy our beautiful beaches and state park. There's alot to do in the summer time, especially. We have beaches, lighthouses, parks, a fair, etc. One thing I wish to see change is how the residents of Mason County take care of our outdoors. Our beaches are very clean compared to others that I have visited but I know that with a little more effort, they could be even cleaner. I really do believe that I am blessed to have been able to be born and raised here.
Read 2 Reviews

• B-

• C

• A-

• 28,800 Population