7 Innovative Michigan Companies Reimagining Outdoor Recreation

With more than 100 state parks, 3,000 miles of shoreline, and 13,000 miles of designated trails, Michigan is one of the nation’s top destinations for outdoor adventure. 

But Michigan is also a place where nature meets innovation—and where local companies are shaping the future of how we explore it. From solar-powered camping infrastructure to all-electric off-road vehicles, Michigan’s homegrown innovators are blending sustainability, technology, and adventure to redefine outdoor recreation. And as the state continues to expand its electric mobility infrastructure, it’s also becoming a national leader in the transition to low-impact outdoor travel.

Whether you’re a backcountry explorer, an adrenaline junkie, or just someone dreaming of your next unplugged escape, these Michigan-grown companies are redefining what sustainable outdoor adventure looks like:

Lilypad Labs

Lilypad Labs is revolutionizing peaceful water recreation with its solar-powered boat. With nothing to plug in and nothing to fill up, Lilypad is an affordable and sustainable way to spend time on the water. This boat fits six and is incredibly easy to maneuver and use, making it an unforgettable way to explore Michigan’s waterways without leaving a footprint.

Voltaic Marine

Also rethinking water recreation is Voltaic Marine, which makes high-performance electric aluminum boats. Designed for water sports and recreational boating, Voltaic’s technology helps protect Michigan’s freshwater ecosystems while offering a smooth, quiet ride for boaters.

Grounded

Grounded is building electric, connected RVs for the modern nomad. With modular interiors, solar roofs, and app-based controls, Grounded is making vanlife more sustainable, intuitive, and accessible. It’s a new way to roam—born in the Motor City, built for the open road. 

LIVAQ

LIVAQ is bringing power and performance to the trail with its all-electric off-road utility vehicle, the Equad. Built for adventure and engineered for efficiency, the Equad combines rugged design with clean energy to offer an exhilarating, emission-free ride through Michigan’s scenic backcountry.

Lectric Boil

Lectric Boil is turning up the heat on camp cooking. The startup’s electric-powered camp stoves are fast, clean, and compatible with off-grid solar systems—ideal for the modern camper looking to ditch propane without compromising on performance.

Snowbotix

Based in Michigan’s snowbelt, Snowbotix is building the future of snow exploration. Its electric snow vehicles and multi-terrain robotics are designed for backcountry transport, snow grooming, and winter search-and-rescue missions—opening up new possibilities for snowy adventures and safety alike.

Electric Outdoors

Electric Outdoors is building off-grid glamping systems for a new era of connected, sustainable adventure. Designed and manufactured in Detroit, the EO Canopy combines solar power, EV charging, and all the creature comforts needed to enable unforgettable experiences in remote locations. By unlocking new destinations and supporting landowners, Electric Outdoors is helping more people experience the outdoors responsibly.

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At Electric Outdoors, our vision for off-grid exploration isn’t possible without a supportive ecosystem committed to making the exploration of nature more sustainable and inclusive. Michigan is that place where nature and innovation coexist and thrive. 

These companies are building more than just gear, vehicles, and platforms. They’re designing the boats that help you rediscover your favorite lake, the clean-energy cooktops for your dinner under the stars, and the electric rec vehicles that can take you deeper into the woods with the lightest footprint possible.

Michigan isn’t just preserving the great outdoors—it’s reinventing how we experience it. By championing conservation and innovation in equal measure, the state is laying the groundwork for a new era of sustainable adventure.