Alanson, Michigan: The Inland Waterway, Petoskey Stones & the Tunnel of Trees

Northern Michigan has a well-kept secret that even many Michiganders don't know about. The Inland Waterway — a historic 38-mile chain of lakes and rivers connecting Crooked Lake to Lake Huron — threads through the forests and small towns east of Petoskey. Before highways existed, this waterway was the route through northern lower Michigan. Today, it's a paddling, boating, and fishing corridor that connects Pickerel Lake, Crooked Lake, Burt Lake, and Mullet Lake in a continuous navigable chain.

Alanson sits right on it. The tiny village straddles the Crooked River between Crooked Lake and Pickerel Lake, and the only campground directly on the Inland Waterway — Crooked River RV Park — is here. Ten miles west, Petoskey sits on Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan, with sandy beaches where you can hunt for Petoskey stones — fossilized coral that's the official state stone of Michigan. And north of Petoskey, the Tunnel of Trees is one of the most celebrated fall colour drives in the Midwest.

With 4 dump stations in the area and camping on both the waterway and the bay, this corner of northern Michigan earns more time than most RVers give it.

Dump Stations

Four dump stations serve the Alanson-Petoskey area, at the campgrounds and RV parks along the Waterway and Little Traverse Bay.

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Where to Camp

Crooked River RV Park (Alanson) — On the Waterway

The only campground directly on the Inland Waterway. Full hookups. From here, you have boat or kayak access to Pickerel Lake, Crooked Lake, and — via connecting rivers — Burt Lake and Mullet Lake. If the Waterway is your reason for visiting, there's no better base.

Petoskey State Park

Sandy beach on Little Traverse Bay with electric hookup sites in wooded settings. Michigan Recreation Passport required for entry. This is where Petoskey stone hunting happens — the smooth grey fossils wash up on the beach, and finding one is a minor obsession for Michigan visitors. Best after storms, when fresh stones get churned up.

Magnus Park Campground (Petoskey)

76 sites on Little Traverse Bay near the Petoskey waterfront. Tent, trailer, and motorhome sites with electric hookups. Municipal campground with a prime bayfront location.

The Inland Waterway

The 38-mile chain connects five bodies of water: Pickerel Lake → Crooked River → Crooked Lake → Burt Lake → Mullet Lake → Cheboygan River → Lake Huron. It was the original highway through this part of Michigan, and Native Americans used it for centuries before European settlers arrived.

Today, you can boat, kayak, or canoe the entire route. Each lake has its own character — Crooked Lake is intimate and forested, Burt Lake is large and open, Mullet Lake is deep and clear. The connecting rivers are narrow and scenic. Fishing for walleye, bass, pike, and perch is excellent throughout the chain.

The Tunnel of Trees

North of Harbor Springs, M-119 winds along the Lake Michigan coast through a dense canopy of maple, birch, and beech trees. In autumn, this 20-mile stretch becomes a tunnel of red, orange, and gold that draws visitors from across the Midwest. It's consistently ranked among the top fall colour drives in the United States.

Critical RV note: M-119 is narrow with tight curves and limited shoulders. It is NOT suitable for large RVs. Drive it in your tow vehicle, not your rig. The road was designed for Model T-era traffic, and it hasn't gotten much wider since.

Petoskey Stones

Michigan's state stone is a fossilized coral (Hexagonaria percarinata) from a time 350 million years ago when this area was a warm tropical sea. The stones wash up on Lake Michigan beaches — especially after storms — and you can identify them by their distinctive honeycomb pattern, which becomes more visible when the stone is wet. Petoskey State Park beach is the classic hunting ground. It's free to collect them (no permit needed), and finding your first one is a genuine thrill.

When to Visit

Tips

1. Tunnel of Trees is not for large RVs. Unhook and drive it in your tow car. The scenery is worth the effort.
2. Hunt for Petoskey stones after a storm. Fresh waves churn up new fossils. Wet the stones to see the honeycomb pattern.
3. Crooked River RV Park is the only campground on the Inland Waterway. Book ahead in summer.
4. Groceries: Small stores in Alanson. Full shopping in Petoskey (10 miles west).
5. Fall colour peak is mid-October. The Tunnel of Trees and the Waterway shores are both stunning.

Plan Your Alanson Trip

This is northern Michigan as it was before the interstate — connected by water, framed by forest, and quiet enough to hear the loons at dusk. Paddle the Waterway, hunt fossils on the beach, and drive the Tunnel of Trees in October. It's one of the best-kept corners of the Great Lakes.

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