Winter Hike – Kids Outdoors Otsego

Our next Kids Outdoors Otsego family hike will be on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 10 am to 12 Noon.   We’ll do a snowshoe hike at the Sturgeon River Preserve, between Gaylord and Vanderbilt.  

We’ll explore and discover as we snowshoe on this great short trail in the snowy woods.  What will we find on the snowy trails?    

– Bring your own snowshoes, OR we will have loaners for kids & adults from HeadWaters Land Conservancy.  If you’ve never snowshoed before, this is a chance to try it!  

– If you want to pull kids on sleds on the trails (sleds will be fine for most of the way), bring a sled or borrow one of ours.   

The Sturgeon Preserve includes the river corridor and upland wooded areas.  The hiking trail goes through both areas; there is also a boardwalk that follows the riverbank.   The surfaces are packed snow.  The trail has a couple of moderate climbs up and down.  The boardwalk is level, also a packed snow surface.  Most of the trail is sheltered from the wind.   

This event is all outside, so dress for that day’s weather.  Wearing layers will help you adjust your clothing for comfort as we change our pace.            

As usual for KOO

– Our focus is children birth to eight, with their Parents/ Caregivers.  Older siblings and other family members are very welcome too.    

– No charge.  

– Parents, you are with your children at all times. 

– We go at a kid pace and stop often to take a closer look.   

– It’s OK for your family to leave when you wish.   

Thanks to HeadWaters Land Conservancy for maintaining this Preserve, and for providing loaner snowshoes for our hike. 

Directions to the Sturgeon River Preserve, from Gaylord Michigan

• Take Old 27 north coming out of Gaylord
• From the traffic circle on the north side of town, go north on Old 27 N for 5.1 mi
• Turn right (east) onto Whitmarsh Rd
• Continue on Whitmarsh Rd for 3.2 mi
• The Preserve will be on the right.  Parking is along the road.  

Hope you can join us!  

Sam Cornelius & Nancie Kersey

KOO 

PS:   

Please share with others who may be interested. 

You can check our Facebook ‘event’ page for any updates-   KOO Snowshoe Hike – Sturgeon River Preserve | Facebook      

For more info about this trail and preserve, you can also see the HeadWaters Land Conservancy info page about it –  (no title)   

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Kids Outdoors Otsego, (KOO) is a volunteer group in Otsego County Michigan promoting outdoor activity in nature for young children with their parents.   

Facebook group page:  ‘Kids Outdoors Otsego’   is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/132168293513558