Michigan State Parks GeoTour - (MSPGT2):
The geocache which you are about to seek is one of fifteen geocaches that are each a part of one of the three separate GeoTours making up the Michigan State Parks GeoTour, or MSPGT2 for short. MSPGT2 and each of its three GeoTours have a beautiful multi-part geocoin for you to earn. To qualify, you will need to download and print the Michigan State Parks GeoTours OFFICIAL LOGBOOK and follow the instructions on it. See the Resources section below for information.
Cache Details:
This is a traditional cache with a nice cabin to view.
Your geocacher name on the logbook is required to claim a find. Don't forget to record the Codeword on your OFFICIAL LOGBOOK. Please return everything as good or better than you found it. Please report problems in your log and send a message to MSPGT2. Our hiders do not see message traffic. If you need to contact the hider, their geocacher name is in the Information section below.
Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC for the MI DNR
Haven Hill Estate Aerial
Highland Recreation Area
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of southern Michigan, Highland Recreation Area is home to 10-plus inland lakes, a designated swim beach, picnic areas, a boating access site, dog trial areas, a radio-controlled flying field and much more. The park also boasts an impressive 44 miles of trails, open to equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers.
History buffs will appreciate the remnants of the Ford family estate, once a private retreat for the renowned industrialist Edsel Ford.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Parks and Trails Search
Paddler on the Open Water at Sunrise
The park has all of southern Michigan's principal forest types within one small area and is home to a rich tapestry of plant and animal life, such as warblers, wildflowers and other unique flora and fauna. The Haven Hill Natural Area showcases the region's diverse ecosystems, from swamp forests to hardwood stands.
Friends of Highland Recreation Area
Stewardship at Highland Recreation Area
Activity: Volunteering - Stewardship
Volunteers are very important to the park system. Examples include helping to remove invasive plants. Volunteers learn plant identification, see rare ecosystems and connect with others while helping to protect parks. Highland Recreation Area is obliged to two local organizations:
Thanks to the Friends of Highland Recreation Area and the Highland Trail Riders Association for their work in the park.
Thanks to the following organizations for their volunteer work in the park:Highland Trail Riders Association
Visit this DNR page for more information: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/get-involved
MSPGT2 - Southern Lower Peninsula Edition
Michigan’s Southern Lower Peninsula is a hub for outdoor adventure, with state parks, trails, and waterways that showcase the region’s natural beauty and diverse landscapes. From sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan to serene inland lakes and winding rivers, there’s something for everyone to explore.
State parks like Holland, Muskegon, and Grand Haven offer stunning stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline perfect for swimming, picnicking, and catching sunsets. Inland, Yankee Springs Recreation Area features miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing spots, and campsites. Waterloo and Pinckney Recreation Areas are favorites for backpackers and kayakers, with scenic routes like the Potawatomi Trail and waterways like the Huron River.
For paddlers, the Grand, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph Rivers provide calm waters ideal for kayaking and canoeing. Fishing enthusiasts will find plentiful opportunities in the area’s lakes and streams. Trails such as the Kal-Haven and Mike Levine Lakelands Trail cater to cyclists, runners, and walkers, weaving through picturesque countryside and historic towns.
In winter, these trails transform into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing destinations, while parks like Fort Custer provide winter hiking and fat-tire biking options.
With its blend of rolling hills, forests, wetlands, and shorelines, Michigan’s Southern Lower Peninsula offers a diverse outdoor playground. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or family fun, the region’s state parks, trails, and waterways promise an unforgettable experience.
Beautiful five-part GeoCoin by Chris Mackey
Rewards:
The image above shows the five-part Finder Geocoin for starting this adventure and the rewards for completing the three GeoTours that are part of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The oversized coin is trackable. When you complete one or more of the three GeoTours, the Finders Geocoin is available to order from the MSPGT2 Page on the MiGO Website. It will ship with the horseback rider insert (lower right in the third image) included free, and also with any or all of the other three inserts that you have earned by completing one, two or all three GeoTours that are part of the overall MSPGT2 experience. There is also a Supporter Coin available in the store that will not accommodate the inserts. Download the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK (see Resources Section), record the codewords included with each cache as you find them, and follow the instructions on the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK to claim your prize(s).
This geocache is one of fifteen that make up the Southern Lower Peninsula Edition of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The reward for completing the Southern Lower Peninsula Edition is the Fishing insert shown in the upper right position.
MSPGT2 Team:
Thank you, Grayseelou, for creating, hiding, watching and maintaining this MSPCGT2 Cache for the DNR, MiGO, and your fellow cachers.
Thank you, Sky'sRiders and Smitherington for contributing to help make this MSPGT2 Cache a success for MiGO and the Michigan DNR.
Thank you, park supervisor Brady Pettengill and the team from Highland Recreation Area for help and cooperation placing this geocache.
Thank you, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for this GeoTour and for providing the beautiful trinkets for the players.
Thank you, MSPGT2 Core Team Members who helped create and maintain this GeoTour:
IsabellaRoad - DNR Team Lead
kzooOtters- MiGO Team Lead
Merlin1392 - MiGO Geocaching HQ Liasion and Coin Design
LynnGeoGin - MiGO Rewards Manager
JellyFish - MiGO Hider Liaisons and Problem Management
aghudley - MiGO Cache Page design and implementation
IFollowRoads, MsPackrat - MiGO GeoTour planning
fox-and-the-hound - Coin Design and Implementation
Resources
Follow the links below for additional information:
MSPGT2 Upper Peninsula Edition (GT4F8) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Northern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F7) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Southern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F6) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Official Logbook - Download and print to record your progress and claim your rewards. Instructions are included.
Michigan DNR Geocaching Page - Information about MSPGT2 and other DNR Geocaching activities
Michigan DNR Recreation Passport - Required for entry into Michigan State Parks, Recreation Areas, State Campgrounds, State Harbors and State Access Points.
Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO) - MiGO Website with lots of information for geocaching in Michigan.
Michigan Geocaching Organization GeoTour Page - MiGO's MSPGT2 GeoTours page with information about the rewards.
Presented By:
The three GeoTours (Editions) making up MSPGT2 are a colaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MI DNR) and the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO). The MI DNR is the owner and MiGO is the creator and operator. There are fifteen caches in each of the three Geo Tour "Editions". Each of the geocaches were created and hidden by volunteer members of MiGO. Rewards for completing each "Edition" are described above. The GeoTours are currently under contract to run for two years, starting Memorial Day Weekend, 2025.