By Mary McGuire

Michiganders have a deep appreciation for the great outdoors, and the COVID-19 pandemic further motivated the pursuit for outdoor recreation opportunities across the state. Through initiatives like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) “Michigan outdoors are here for you” people were encouraged to “spend time outdoors – whether in your backyard, on your balcony or in big, open spaces” to boost one’s “mind, body, and spirit.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the outdoor recreation economy has grown 7.5 percent with outdoor recreation employment up 7.4 percent and wages up 9.1 percent as a result of the pandemic. Closer to home, the 2022 BEA outdoor recreation report shows outdoor recreation contributed more than $12 billion to Michigan’s economy, supported 119,000 jobs, and generated $5.5 billion in wages.

The pandemic boom in outdoor recreation grew quickly, especially in Michigan’s most popular tourism destinations.

Named the “Most Beautiful Place in America” back in 2011 on ABC’s Good Morning America, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is home to bluffs rising 450’ above Lake Michigan, miles of sandy shoreline, historic coastal villages, rivers, and trails surrounded by quaint farms and a myriad of

recreational opportunities. After the recognition, the Dunes experienced a surge in tourism upwards of 1.5 million visitors, which was a 15% rise from over previous years. During the early months of the pandemic when the state implemented the Michigan Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order (March 23 – June 1, 2020), Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was tasked to increase recreational access after receiving guidance from the White House, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities. The growth in tourism due to the pandemic jumped to an all-time high at 1.7 million visitors, which aligned with the nationwide trend as more people embraced outdoor recreation.

Further north, during and after the pandemic, the City of Mackinac Island, known for its car-free environment, witnessed a surge in tourists seeking the serenity of nature. Rated as the Best Place to Bike in the U.S. by People for Bikes, visitors drawn to explore Mackinac Island State Park do so by walking, cycling, horseback riding, or by horse drawn carriages. Exploring the trails and natural features of the Island are a time honored tradition since the late 1800s. Local businesses offer scenic trail recommendations and encourage people to get outside and visit the popular geological formations, Arch Rock, and Sugar Loaf. Also dubbed “Bicycle Capital of the World” on the Pure Michigan website, one of the most lucrative commodities on the historic Island are the 1511 commercial bicycle rental licenses, which are regulated by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the City of Mackinac Island.

BIKE AROUND MACKINAC ISLAND! | 3-Minute Timelapse Biking the 8.2 Mile Perimeter by Nature Harmony TV

With the escalation of tourism, the bike rental companies found the demand exceeded inventory with many running out of bikes to rent by late morning during peak season. Tourists that are able bring their own bicycles across on the ferry boats are issued a temporary bicycle license for an additional fee. Because temporary bicycle license fees are split between the City of Mackinac Island, Mackinac Island State Park, and the ferry companies, it is possible to track the number of bicycles brought to the Island on the ferry boats. During the pandemic, City of Mackinac Island records indicate about 79,000 bicycles were brought to the Island by tourists in 2020 and by the end of 2021 over 92,000 bicycles made their way to the small Island. The steep increase in bicycles (and tourists) illustrates the rise in leisure activities on the Island, which was also prevalent across Michigan.

Like Mackinac Island, local recreation centers, state parks and county parks, nature centers, colleges and universities across the state often offer bicycle rentals along with other outdoor gear. Common gear rentals include kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards during the spring, summer, and fall, and ice skates, snowboards, snowshoes, and cross country skis during the winter.

Many locations offer individual and group lessons so people can learn how to get involved in outdoor sports and/or refresh old skills without having to purchase the gear outright. This makes outdoor adventures affordable and more accessible.

To meet the needs of state park customers, Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been partnering with local businesses to offer cabins, yurts, tents, and equipment rentals for bicycling, fishing, and other quiet sports, along with guide services, events, and concessions like watercraft rentals and food trucks to support park visitors. Though with the fast growth in outdoor recreation and equipment in short supply, there has been a shift in the outdoor industry to meet consumer needs that is driven by innovation and entrepreneurism.

Startups like Sendy, Lower Gear, Gear Locker, Rent Outdoor Gear, HipCamp, Tentrr, and REI took notice and figured out how to shift and disrupt the industry by creating efficiencies using the shared economy model and applying it to outdoor adventure gear. Now people can buy, sell, and rent outdoor adventure gear anywhere in North America. Bringing the peer to peer business model to the world of outdoor recreation addresses supply chain issues is convenient for those that don’t want to haul around large items like bicycles or kayaks. It is also a small investment for people who want to test drive outdoor recreation pursuits, and for that don’t want to fully commit to purchasing outdoor gear whether at home or on vacation.

Other industry giants like Patagonia and North Face have shifted priorities to connect in a deeper way by providing guidance to their customers, with a focus on millennials, that creates sustainability and community in the great outdoors. A recent Outdoor Industry Association report shows 80% of outdoor activity categories showed growth that doesn’t show any signs of stopping, and that the industry is expanding to a more diverse audience, especially among Black, Hispanic, and LBGTQIA+ people.

The pandemic created a mode shift that found people turning to nature as a place to be active. With the rise in access and access to outdoor adventure gear, people can pursue and enjoy outdoor recreational pursuits by connecting with the natural world and each other to improve their minds, bodies, and spirits.