Explore Michigan’s Parks, Preserves and Trails

If you live in Michigan, you’ve probably heard that you are never more than 90 minutes from a Great Lake or more than 6 miles from a body of water. That’s because Michigan is home to 11,000 inland lakes and 120 major rivers.

Combined with our 19.3 million acres of forest, Michigan’s lands and waters provide countless sources of outdoor recreation. Thankfully, Michiganders’ love for our natural heritage inspired many to not only protect the natural resources we love but also create places where all could enjoy and access those natural wonders. That means you don’t have to go far to unwind, decompress and get lost in the natural world, and there’s a plentitude of local resources to help you find a place to recreate outdoors. Some of the best sources are your local trails, parks and preserves.

Many of our parks and preserves were established to protect a natural feature and secure its enjoyment for current and future generations. Many trails were created at those sites to enjoy those lands and today they’ve expanded to connect communities and provide a safe way to hike, bike, run, ski or ride your horse.

The Great Lake-to-Lake Trails Route #1 is a great example of a destination trail that connects communities across southern Michigan. The trail crosses the southern portion of the state from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron, providing access to free outdoor recreation for millions of our residents. There are a plethora of exceptional outdoor places to play along the 19 different trails that make up the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail.

A Lake Michigan beach is always a great place to relax and South Haven’s North Beach at the beginning (or end) of the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail is no exception. The beach is ADA accessible and offers a concession stand with a nice selection of food and ice cream, restrooms, play equipment and volleyball courts. Note the parking area fees here provide funds to sweep and maintain this fantastic beach.

As the trail continues east from South Haven, you’ll pass right by the Bloomingdale Depot Museum, the only original depot left on the Kal-Haven Trail. Displays at the museum feature artifacts of the oil, rail and lumber industries as well as local heritage.

Continuing on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, users will enjoy visiting Markin Glen park. The park offers a scenic view of downtown from one of the highest points in Kalamazoo and is known for its beautiful spring flowers and mature maple beech canopy. A state-of-the-art campground conveniently offers 38 sites and its Maple Hill Trail provides an exciting, single-track experience for mountain bike enthusiasts.

In nearby Galesburg, the Chipman Preserve provides an opportunity to see remnant habitats of oak woodland, oak savanna and prairie. Fall colors are beautiful here, and visitors in May will love the wild lupine and prairie fox, followed by June displays of bright blue and orange as spiderwort and butterfly-weed begin to bloom.

River Oaks Park is also not far from the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail in Galesburg, named for the more than 100-year-old oaks that stretch along the shore of Morrow Lake. The county park hosts a premier soccer facility, fishing and boating opportunities, as well a popular splash pad and playgrounds designed for toddlers and older children. Nearly 5 acres of dog parks are also popular, with a special area for dogs under 25 pounds. A daily admission fee is charged.

Further down the trail, the unique Historic Bridge Park in Battle Creek is a park worth exploring. The park serves as an open-air museum for historic truss bridges. Metal truss bridges no longer fit for service have been moved here and restored for all to enjoy. Restrooms, trails and picnic and playground areas complete the park experience. The North Country Trail also passes through Historic Bridge Park.

River Oaks Park is also not far from the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail in Galesburg, named for the more than 100-year-old oaks that stretch along the shore of Morrow Lake. The county park hosts a premier soccer facility, fishing and boating opportunities, as well a popular splash pad and playgrounds designed for toddlers and older children. Nearly 5 acres of dog parks are also popular, with a special area for dogs under 25 pounds. A daily admission fee is charged.

Further down the trail, the unique Historic Bridge Park in Battle Creek is a park worth exploring. The park serves as an open-air museum for historic truss bridges. Metal truss bridges no longer fit for service have been moved here and restored for all to enjoy. Restrooms, trails and picnic and playground areas complete the park experience. The North Country Trail also passes through Historic Bridge Park.

Just east of Battle Creek, the Ott Biological Preserve includes 298 acres of hardwood forests with ridged uplands and wetlands. Two spring-fed kettle lakes can be found here, as well as a prairie fen that supports carnivorous plants like the purple pitcher plant and bladderworts as well as several orchid species. Five miles of trails cross the property, with connections to the North Country Trail and Iron Belle Trail as well as the Calhoun County Trailway that is part of the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail.

East of Battle Creek history lovers will enjoy the town of Marshall, including the Honolulu House Museum, an 1860-era house constructed of Marshall sandstone. The eye-catching structure contains a blend of Italianate, Gothic Revival and Polynesian architecture. Even the parks here are historic – Brooks Memorial Fountain Park in the center of town was built in 1930 and modeled after the Temple of Love in Versailles, France. The Fountain Park features colored lights that illuminate the fountain at night.

Nearby Albion offers two adjoining parks near the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail that showcase wooded greenspace along the Kalamazoo River. Victory and Reiger Parks host a waterfall, natural spring and a formal garden. One can also swim, sled or skate here or take in a concert. Park visitors will also enjoy the children’s playground and 18-hole disc golf course.

Onward through Jackson, the county parks have been entertaining locals and visitors since 1932 at the man-made Cascade Falls. The Cascade Falls are 500 feet in length and reach a vertical height of 64 feet with 126 steps along each side of the falls. There are six fountains, 16 falls, and 1,230 colored electric lights that dazzle spectators, and live music can be enjoyed on summer Saturdays at Sparks Park. Fireworks often complement the display and families will enjoy Family Fun Nights every Wednesday throughout the summer. Saturday and family night shows require an admission fee.

As rural lands continue through Stockbridge, two preserves adjacent to the trail offer unique hiking opportunities with river access. The Beckwith Preserve protects 30 acres of an oak-hickory forest and mature pine plantations. A trail parallels Portage Creek, one of the cleanest tributaries to the Huron River. The nearby Morris-Reichert Nature Preserve also protects mature oak-hickory forests and hardwood swamps surrounding 242 acres of former agricultural lands. This preserve showcases Michigan’s historic grasslands and protects one of the largest tracts, a requirement of endangered and threatened species like the Henslow’s sparrow, Grasshopper sparrow and Dickcissel. Like most preserves, both are free and open from sunrise to sunset.

East of Stockbridge the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail becomes more urban, taking us past and through Pickney and Island Lake Recreation Areas. Both state parks offer an “up north” experience without leaving southeast Michigan. Pinckney has over 11,000 acres and is a backpacker’s paradise. The park offers over 40 miles of multi-use trails with remote campsites. Mountain bikers and equestrians love these trails, and anglers flock to the chain of excellent fishing lakes found here. You’ll also find the popular Hell Church and monument here.

Pinckney and Island Lake Recreation Area both provide access to the Huron River and are popular destinations for paddling. The Huron River Water Trail is 104 miles long and was designated as the 18^th trail of the National Water Trail System. Island Lake has 4,000 acres of parkland and connects to Kensington Metropark via a paved trail. Mountain biking and swimming are popular here around four inland lakes and mature hardwood forests. The state park is also home to a modern shooting range and is the only hot air balloon port in the state park system. A Recreation Passport or daily pass are required for entry to all state parks and recreation areas.

Connecting Kensington Metropark has 4,486 acres of wooded, hilly terrain surrounding beautiful Kent Lake. Fishing, boating, swimming and a Splash ‘n’ Blast are popular on the 1,200-acre lake, with paddleboats, rowboats, paddleboards, kayaks and canoes available for rental. The Metropark is well-known for its hiking and equestrian trails and also offers a nature center, farm center, 18-hole golf course and a 27-hole disc course. A daily or yearly pass is required for entry.

As we head east down the Michigan Air Line Trail and connecting West Bloomfield Trail along the destination trail, users will travel right by another natural oasis, the Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary. The public is welcome on 50 wooded acres with rolling hills shaped by glaciers. The trails here are a favorite of locals, and visitors will enjoy wildflowers, wildlife, and the 250-year-old oak trees within the sanctuary.

After connecting to the Clinton River Trail in Pontiac, users will enjoy the views along the Clinton River taking them right past Bloomer Park, home to the International Velodrome. This former state park encompasses 200 acres and offers hiking and mountain biking trails as well as play structures and a tobogganing hill. Connecting Yates Park is home of the Yates Cider Mill, which dates back to 1863. The Mill is powered by the Clinton River cascading over the Yates Dam.

Along the countryside of the connecting Macomb Orchard Trail, the trail passes a preserve known for its wetlands in Bruce Township. The East Pond Creek Preserve is part of a 60-acre wetland complex that includes tamarack swamp, conifer swamp and fen. The conifer swamp is dominated by northern white cedar, which gives visitors a chance to experience a tree not often found in southern Michigan.

Nearby Columbus County Park also helps preserve wetlands, on 411 acres just northeast of Richmond. Visitors will enjoy its rolling hills, prairie meadows and beautiful views of the Belle River. The park offers trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Cross-country skiing and a lighted sledding hill at the county park are popular during the winter months.

As the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail makes its way to Port Huron, users will not want to miss the Blue Water River Walk. The River Walk travels nearly a mile down the St. Clair River shoreline and is embellished by public art along the trail. An old railroad ferry dock dating back to the early 1900s has been restored and now offers a beautiful view on a patio overlooking the river. The River Walk also offers an outdoor classroom, fishing pier and a soon-to-be-developed wetlands park at its southern end.

The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route #1 ends (or begins) at Lighthouse Park in Port Huron, which contains the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Visitors can climb the 94 iron stairs leading to the top of the lighthouse for an amazing view of the Blue Water Bridge and one of the busiest waterways in the world. The park offers 900 feet of Lake Huron beach as well as a playground and picnic areas.

While the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail is 275 miles long and attracts cyclists and hikers from around the country, it is just one of Michigan’s 13,000 state-designated trails. There are countless places to enjoy outdoor recreation in Michigan and you never have to travel far. There are thousands of parks across the state and our land conservancies protect a total of 672,967 acres throughout Michigan. For your next outdoor adventure, check out a new park, preserve or trail and a new space to be happy.

To learn more about our parks, preserves and trails visit the websites of these statewide organizations that work to further develop and support our land conservancies, parks and trails:

Heart of the Lakes https://www.heartofthelakes.org/

Michigan Recreation and Park Association https://www.mparks.org/

Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance https://michigantrails.org/