5 Sandhill Coffee-Approved Adventures for 2023

5 Sandhill Coffee-Approved Adventures for 2023

- Erica Zazo - 

2022 was full of adventure for our team and the entire Sandhill Coffee community.

We went fishing in Lake Michigan and all over the Midwest, we brewed coffee in our Mobile Cafe at local events and festivals, we got out and camped at local state parks all summer long through Labor Day Weekend, and we enjoyed nearby adventures in local parks and forest preserves.

Yet as we wind down the year, we can’t help but look ahead to a whole new year of adventure.

Sandhill Coffee lovers far and wide are already starting to plan their 2023 travels – and our very own team looks forward to outdoor explorations, vacations, and getaways ourselves.

To help get you in planning mode to escape around the Midwest (and beyond), check out these five trip ideas to take in 2023.

1. Visit a Midwest National Park

The Midwest is home to eight official national parks. Consider exploring lesser-known parks and wildlife areas with a road trip or quick flight to some of the best outdoor experiences and adventures in our very own backyard. Some of our favorites include: 

• Indiana Dunes National Park – 15,000 acres of wildlife area that’s full of sand dune hiking, miles of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline, and some of the best Sandhill Crane migration watching in the country. 

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Explore miles and miles of sandy and forested trails, sand dune bluffs, and epic lookouts that tower over 450 feet above Lake Michigan.

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Escape the hustle and bustle of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio to a haven of native plants and wildlife, seemingly endless mountain biking and hiking trails, and hidden gems like the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

2. Try a Remote Work Week in Marquette

Working from home getting the best of you? Consider a remote work week in Marquette, a hidden gem for outdoor recreation and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. 

Book an Airbnb, a local hotel or cabin, or even stay at a nearby campground like Rippling River or Tourist Park – and plan to stay, work, and then play during your visit. In downtown Marquette, you can book a day or week-long pass at Campfire Cowork, a local coworking studio in the heart of town.

After work, make the most of your up-north getaway by riding on local mountain bike trails, exploring the nearby Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, or hiking local forest areas and lookout points like Sugarloaf Mountain or out to Hidden Beach.

3. Book a Local or Regional Fishing Charter

We know many of our Sandhill coffee drinkers are also big fans of fishing on The Great Lakes and other waterways throughout the region. Thankfully our access to some of the best fishing waters in the country also means we have access to some of the best guides too. 

Book a fishing charter with one of these recommended guides throughout the region:

• Michigan – Reel 2 Reel Outdoors (Ludington, Michigan)
• Illinois – Grab Your Fly Charters (Chicago, Illinois) 
• Indiana – Anglin Outdoors (LaPorte, Indiana)
• Minnesota – Fish North MN (Duluth, Minnesota)
• Wisconsin – Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co. (Green Bay, Wisconsin)

Want to browse even more fishing guides? Check out The Fishing Guide Directory, an online resource for local fishing guides around the country.

PS: For your local fly fishing needs, check out local fly shop, Dupage Fly Fishing Co.

4. Bike on a Regional Rail Trail

Fun fact: The Midwest is the birthplace of rail trails. Rail trails – or old railways converted to mix-use paths – are most often used by bikers to tour long distances on a protected and mostly flat path.

We highly recommend planning a day trip on the first-ever rail trail – the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. This 32.5-mile-long trail connects Elroy and Sparta, Wisconsin and passes across scenic farmland, through historic tunnels, and into small towns throughout western Wisconsin.

Other great rail trails throughout the Midwest include Michigan’s Kal-Haven Trail (45 miles) and William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail (22 miles), Indiana’s Cardinal Greenway (119 miles), and Iowa’s High Trestle Trail (25 miles).

For a list of all regional rail trails visit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

5. Book a Nearby Campsite

We’ve shared some of our favorite campgrounds in and around Chicago in the past. No matter if you’re in the city or a Sandhill Coffee drinker from elsewhere around the U.S. (or beyond) – we’re big believers in the Midwest being home to some truly amazing places to camp.

Check out our full blog post on where to camp near Chicago or skim this list:

• Richard Bong State Park (Wisconsin)
• Camp Bullfrog Lake (Chicago)
• Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana) 
• Kettle Moraine – Southern Unit (Wisconsin)
• Illinois Beach State Park (Chicago)