What we’re about
Welcome to Explore the Coast - Southwest Michigan Sports, Outdoors, & Social Group. The purpose of this group is to give individuals/couples the opportunity to meet and connect with others with the same interests. Most events will be in Berrien and Van Buren Counties. We will be focusing on 3 areas: Sports will include: 1) Volleyball 2) Road Races: 5K, etc 3) Golf Outings 4) Watching Football 5) Etc. Outdoors will include: 1) Hiking 2) Camping 3) Canoeing 4) Cycling 5) Etc. Socials will include: 1) Dining 2) Festivals 3) Picnics 4) Comedy Clubs 5) Concerts 6) Game Nights 7) Wine Tastings 8) Etc. We have no membership dues. So why not join us and see what the SW Michigan have to offer. If you have an idea for an event, please email us. Tell a Friend!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Let's take a Hike - Black River Preserve - 4 MilesBlack River Preserve, South Haven, MI
Let's hike the Black River Preserve in South Haven. We'll meet at the parking lot on 8th Ave (half mile west of 68th) at 10:30. Generally, an easy hike with only a couple of small hills. Trail is non-paved so please wear proper foot gear. We will hike about 4 miles.
https://swmlc.org/project/black-river-preserve/
Lunch/Drink after the hike (optional) - Three Blondes Brewing.
https://www.threeblondesbrewing.com/ - Hike Allegan SGA - Swan Creek (5.8 miles or 10.9 miles)Swan Creek Marsh , Allegan , MI
Hike Allegan SGA (State Game Area) - Swan Creek (5.8 miles or 10.9 miles)
We will start off with the South Swan Creek Loop. It is about 5.8 miles long. After that, you may quit or do the North Swan Creek Loop which is about another 5.1 miles.
We will meet at the trail head parking lot on 118th avenue just west of the bridge over Swan Creek (or just east of the Park Headquarters.)
The much more scenic route is to the south, where a 5.8-mile loop skirts Swan Creek Pond and then the creek to 116th Avenue. To the north is a 5-mile loop along the creek to the edge of Koopman Marsh. Although the area is not hilly, both trails follow the base of a river bluff at times and contain a surprising amount of up-and-down hiking. They also pass a number of marshes.
After the hike, we could head to Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery?
About Southern Loop:
https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/allegan-sga-south-swan-creek-loop/South Swan Creek Loop is best done during the off-season—either in early May when fiddleheads are popping through the forest floor and the flowering dogwood is in full bloom, or in the fall, when one can witness one of the largest migratory gatherings of waterfowl in the state.
About Nothern Loop:
https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/allegan-sga-north-swan-creek-loop/Lightly used North Swan Creek trails are located on the north side of the 118th Avenue Bridge dam and form a 5.1-mile loop. The east side trail stays closer to the creek and involves more climbing as it skirts the bluffs. The west side of the loop remains mostly on the edge of the bluff and is an easier hike. In places the west side trail parallels two-tracks that doubles as a ski trail in the winter and can be used as an alternative route back to 118th Avenue. Ski trails are marked with blue blazes, the hiking trail with yellow blazes.
This is a great hike. I hope you can make it.
Kevin
- Spring Colors Hike @Fernwood then Eats/Drinks at River St. Joe BreweryFernwood Botanical Garden, Niles, MI
Spring Colors Hike @ Fernwood Botanical Garden then Eats/Drinks at River St. Joe Brewery
We will hike about 2 miles or so at Fernwood then head to River St. Joe of a bite and/or drinks (Optional).
General Admission: $10
We have a passes for us plus 5 to get into Fernwood for free.
About Fernwood Botanical Garden:
A favorite of all who love nature—flora and fauna, Fernwood Botanical Garden is situated on the St. Joseph River in Niles, Michigan, near Buchanan in picturesque Berrien County. Fernwood is only minutes from South Bend, Indiana, and Southwestern Michigan’s famous wine country and shore communities. Fernwood comprises 105 acres and protects at least 10 ecosystems and is a birder’s paradise. Visitors may enjoy natural areas with miles of walking and hiking trails, a reconstructed prairie, an arboretum, and cultivated public gardens that include an herb garden, Japanese garden, perennial border, rain garden, railway garden, nature adventure garden, hardy fern collection, and other special collections and gardens.
Fernwood Website: https://www.fernwoodbotanical.org/
About River St. Joe Brewery:
On a beautiful and rolling organic farm in Buchanan, Michigan, in the heart of Southwest Michigan, "River Saint Joe" is a unique grain-to-glass brewery; farm-to-table restaurant; and event, community, and learning venue, open for beer & food.
River St. Joe Brewery Website: https://www.riversaintjoe.com/
I hope you can make it.
Kevin
- Camping in SW Michigan (Spring Flowers Weekend)Needs location
Camping in SW Michigan (Spring Flowers Weekend)
Join us for a great weekend camping in SW Michigan. The campgrounds is Coloma, Michigan (I-196 and Hagar Road). The campfire will be raging all weekend.
Camping information:
We will be camping at a private campground between St. Joseph and South Haven. You may hike, paddle, or explore SW Michigan (There are many wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the area.). We are 13 miles from downtown St. Joseph and 13 miles from downtown South Haven. Don't feel like exploring, then hang out at the campsite for the day. We are 4 miles from a small beach on Lake Michigan that is dog friendly. It is a great place to watch the sunset.Other activities planned:
Friday evening, we will head to the beach on Lake Michigan (Hagar Park/Beach, 4 miles away) to see the sunset. Stop by a winery after? They have a band until 9:00.
Saturday morning, we will be doing a 4 mile hike at 10:00 am. (Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve or Fernwood Botanical Garden).We will have a potluck on Saturday Evening. Hamburgers and Beyond Burgers will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass. We are also having a wine/cider tasting, please bring a bottle if you are interested in joining us.
It will be rustic tent camping only. It is a really nice area to camp. There are almost 2 miles of hiking trails on the property. Electricity/Showers are not available. There are porta-potties for you to use. Also, you will need to bring your own water.
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This is a prepaid event for camping.
How to get on the trip:
1. Add your name to the "Wait List"
2. Make a payment (information provided below)
3. After the payment is received, you will be marked as "Going"
4. See you at the campsite! :)
Price: $20 per person.
The price is per person and includes a camping spot for 2 nights as well as firewood.
Payment guarantees your spot.
Pay with Paypal, Zelle, Venmo at (708) 342-1164 You are not confirmed as going until you pay.
No refund unless the trip is cancelled.
The minimum number of people attending is 24 people.
-----------------The address will be provide a few days before the trip. It is in Coloma, Michigan (I-196 and Hagar Road Exit 7)
Campground Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560471052820
I hope you can make it.
Kevin
