Explore the Coast - SW Michigan Sports, Outdoors, & Social

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.

Camping in SW Michigan

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.
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The address will be provide a few days before the trip. It is in Coloma, Michigan (I-196 and Hagar Road Exit 7)

Explore the Coast Meetup Group Spring Picnic

Join us for our Spring Picnic.

This will be a fun afternoon/evening of play bags/volleyball, wine/hard cider tastings and sitting around a campfire. There are rumors that S'mores (Vegan and Non-Vegan) are going to be made.

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.

We are planning to eat at 6:00.

Please bring a chair for sitting around the campfire.

We will also have cards and board games for you entertainment.

If you are interested, we will do a 1 mile hike around the property.

The address will be emailed a few days before the event. It is in Coloma, off of Hagar Shore (Exit 7 on I-196).

Let's Take a Hike - Saugatuck Dunes State Park

We will meet in the parking lot at 10:00 by the trail head. We will take the South Trail to the Lake. We will then walk alone the beach. We will take the North Trail back. It should be a hike about 5-6 miles. You need a DNR Recreation Passport to park (Non Resident, $11 per day. $41 annually).