Michigan Trails

Biking, hiking, and walking trails 2019 & 2020

I am sharing a brief overview of some of the beautiful hiking and biking trails in Michigan that we have been on. If you want to visit trails inside Michigan state parks, the Recreation Passport entrance fee is currently being waived. The state of Michigan news release says that the $12 annual fee will be waived "For the duration of the COVID-19 situation."

I told my husband last year that we needed to set a goal to travel a portion of every trail in Michigan. He thinks I am nuts! I think we have many beautiful trails in this great state, and we are fortunate to be able to enjoy them.

Leelanau Trail between Suttons Bay and Traverse City

Northern Michigan

The paved trail between Suttons Bay and Traverse City (Leelanau Trail) is hilly in both directions. The distance is about 17 miles one-way. This is a beautiful trail, and it is often busy.

Stop on Leelanau Trail near DeYoung Natural Area

Bus service, which accommodates transporting bicycles, is available between Traverse City and Suttons Bay, if you do not want to bicycle both ways. You can also connect to TART Trail from Leelanau Trail in Traverse City. That trail is also paved, and passes by the state park. Boardman Lake Trail downtown Traverse City, is an easy walk or bike ride of about 2 miles. It does not go around the southwest corner of the lake.

View of Harbor Springs before heading down to town

A couple of our favorite trails in Petoskey are easily accessible from the state park: Little Traverse Wheelway and Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail. We have bicycled these trails as far as West Park, Harbor Springs, and north of Alanson. It is only a tad hilly, except for the section between Petoskey State Park and Harbor Springs; that section is very hilly! There are many stopping points along all sections of the trails in this area: nature preserves, benches with views, picnic areas, parks, and businesses. The water and waves in Lake Michigan have been high this past year, and sadly, a large section of Little Traverse Wheelway, between East Park and Magnus Campground, has collapsed into the lake.

View of Crystal Lake from Railroad Point Natural Area in Benzie County

Bestie Valley Trail is a beautiful trail with several benches and viewing points along Betsie River and Crystal Lake. It is paved between Crystal Lake and Frankfort and Elberta. The trail is in great condition and mostly flat. There is a winding hiking trail through Railroad Point Natural Area, which is adjacent to Betsie Valley Trail when passing by Crystal Lake.

West Michigan

White Pine Trail is paved from Sand Lake to the south, and from Big Rapids north. It is gravel in between Sand Lake and Big Rapids, other than a short section of tar through some of the towns. This trail is usually busy near Rockford, and less busy farther north.

Overlook from Pere Marquette Trail west of Evart

In Reed City, White Pine Trail connects with Pere Marquette State Trail. The PM trail is paved from Reed City eastward, and it is limestone to the west toward Baldwin. The distance from Reed City to the scenic overlook west of Evart is almost 9 miles (8.82 miles on my GPS). This is a pretty easy ride with only gentle slopes, and the pavement is in decent condition. Other than the trail parking in Hersey, there are not any stopping areas between these two points. The day we biked, these trails were only busy near town in Reed City.

South of Stanton on Fred Meyer Heartland Trail - West

We have bicycled north and south from Stanton on Fred Meyer Heartland Trail - West, which runs between Greenville and Alma. The trail is paved, although it is a bit unsmooth from roots and/or cracks. There are several stopping points in both directions. We only passed a few people during both rides, although the Stanton trailhead parking lot was quite busy when we returned after noon on a weekend day.

There is a beautiful riverwalk trail from  Riverside Park in Alma near where Fred Meyer Heartland Trail ends. This is paved until you get near the end of Pine River Park. The riverwalk trail is about 1-mile in one direction.

Musketawa Trail: Crockery Creek overlook south of Ravenna 

Musketawa Trail: Observation deck east of Muskegon

Musketawa Trail from Grand Rapids to Muskegon is a beautiful ride on a paved trail. There are many places to stop along the way. I was delighted that the Conklin trailhead parking area had a clean unlocked vault toilet with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We biked in the morning, and the only areas where we saw people were when we passed through the towns.

From Montague, you can access William Field Memorial Hart Montague Trail to Hart, and Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail to Muskegon. Both trails have several places to stop along the way. They are both paved and in good condition. Other than the hill on Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail in North Muskegon, both trails are mostly flat.

Coolbough Natural Area

In Newaygo county, you can get on North Country Trail at Kimball County Park for a winding hike through the woods on a dirt trail. We have never seen many people on this trail. The paved trail just north of Croton dam that goes to Hardy dam is mostly just a designated route along the road. Coolbough Natural Area, just north of Croton Drive, is a beautiful woods hike. There are also horse trails at this location. Activity was low to moderate when we visited on a Sunday.

If you are looking to exercise without many people around, we have found that activity is always less in the mornings before noon. Enjoy! Please let me know if you have any questions or additional info to share.