Hike all three loops of the Alligator Hill Trail and take the spur to the Glen Lake Overlook. Stop at the Overlook and enjoy the view of North and South Manitou Island and Sleeping Bear Point. Walk past the remnants of the 1930’s DH Day Forest Estates golf course. Note the concrete bunkers located at the trailhead, which were once used to manufacture charcoal.

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This beautiful trail tells a unique land use and land protection story as it moves through stately hardwood forests, a subdivision that was never built, over dunes, and out to unparalleled vistas of Lake Michigan. Snowshoe this trail for a genuine northern Michigan experience. Please take note that the minimal distance to the scenic vista is one mile (requiring an additional one mile return trip). Consult the map at the trail head and select a distance that meets your time requirements.

Spend a couple of hours exploring the trails through the forest near Bass Lake and Deer Lake. This easy trail provides nice views of the forest and small lakes.

Take a short hike along the Bay View Trail for a beautiful overlook of Sleeping Bear Point, Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands. If you choose, you can extend your experience along the crest of the dunes and enjoy and additional mile and a half of beautiful views. The west loop will bring you through forests and open meadows near the Homestead Resort, a popular place to stay in the area.

Spend full day hiking and you will come across a historic farming landscape in Port Onieda where you will see a one room school house. Bring your camera for unforgettable memories.

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Hike the entire scenic trail, taking in wonderful views of the river.

Explore the pond and area around Boekeloo Lodge and take the short scenic walk to Lake Michigan. While there enjoy this remote section of shoreline. To get there, turn west on Boekeloo Road off of M-22 about 12 miles south of Empire and drive to the end of the 2-track.

Bring your “A” game to complete this pleasantly strenuous hike. From any of the north parking lots follow the well marked trails down the 300 foot hillside to the valley below. From there, follow one of the trails on the banks of the Boardman river over boardwalks and trough the forest for a wonderfully scenic hike. The Brown Bridge Quiet Area is located on the Boardman River, a state designated Natural River, approximately 11 miles southeast of Traverse City, Michigan. You can enjoy more than 6 miles of trails many different habitat types, timber bridges, boardwalks and gorgeous views of the Boardman River.

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Travel through mature forests to one of the overlooks on the north side of the Boardman River. From this commanding vantage point some 300 feet above the valley you’ll be able to see the newly formed river channel and fragile bottomlands that were exposed when Brown Bridge Dam was removed in 2012. The Brown Bridge Quiet Area is located on the Boardman River, a state designated Natural River, approximately 11 miles southeast of Traverse City, Michigan. You can enjoy more than 6 miles of trails many different habitat types, timber bridges, boardwalks and gorgeous views of the Boardman River.

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A mix of open fields (providing scenic views) and northern Michigan hardwoods. From its highest elevation of 320 feet above Lake Michigan, viewers can see much of western Charlevoix County, a broad expanse of Lake Michigan, four islands, and the distant Leelanau Peninsula on a clear day.

Chip Run is very diverse hiking area through four different ecosystems. It is also a birder’s paradise that protects Empire’s small town character. A stream corridor and beaver pond provide opportunities for wildlife viewing. Deer and turkey winter in in the old apple orchard; the sand pit is home to a turtle nursery and brook trout live in the stream that runs through the property. The area’s treasured beaver dams have entertained generations of children. A gorgeous 1-mile trail leads visitors through and around some of the most interesting and beautiful natural features of this 110-acre property.

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Hiking through the perched dunes of the Sleeping Bear Plateau provides fantastic vistas of Glen Lake, the Dune Climb, and Lake Michigan. You will see native dune plants up close. The hike is moderately difficult because of the soft sand dunes and hills, but the views are worth the effort. Wear sunscreen and bring water in the summer.

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There is a quarter-mile hiking trail that winds through mature cedars near the shore of Cedar Lake. It leads down to a fishing and wildlife observation pier on the lake. The 145-acre Louis DeYoung farm is just minutes from Traverse City, with frontage on both sides of Cherry Bend Road. The TART trail runs through a portion of the land on the lake side. Leelanau Conservancy protected this historic farmstead and shoreline in partnership with Elmwood Township.

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Off the beaten track, but well worth the effort, East Creek offers a secluded trail system that winds up and down a variety of northern woodland habitat. This hike will take you up the hillside and through an oak dominated woodland– so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife! East Creek Reserve is owned by Rotary Charities and managed for public use by the Grand Traverse Conservation District. This 560-acre reserve is located just south of Traverse City in Mayfield. The property includes high quality forests, wetlands, and river ecosystems. In the spring the trails offer some of the area’s best views of native wild flowers.

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Take an easy hike on Alligator Hill Trail to the Islands Overlook or hike all three loops and take the spur to the Glen Lake Overlook. Stop at the Overlook and enjoy the view of North and South Manitou Island and Sleeping Bear Point. Walk past the remnants of the 1930’s D. H. Day Forest Estates golf course. Note the concrete bunkers located at the trailhead, which were once used to manufacture charcoal.

Learn more about this property HERE.

Visit one of the most popular trails in the Park with iconic views from the bluffs high above Lake Michigan. Looking north, you will see Sleeping Bear Plateau, South Bar Lake and on a clear day, South Manitou Island. Bring your camera on this hike!

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Walk over a marsh filled with native plants and wildlife on dry land with our boardwalk.

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The stacked loop trail system at Glacial Hills is a professionally designed multi-use trail that brings users into contact with an incredibly diverse and beautiful forest on rolling glacial hills. For a one hour trip, consult the kiosk map at the Eckhard Road trail head and travel 1/2 mile to the first overlook (retrace your steps back to the parking area).

Walk the base of Alligator Hill through the forest to and from Glen Haven historic village. You can start on Forest Haven Road in Glen Arbor or at Glen Haven.

This is an interesting hike through a successional forest of juniper, oak and cedar. Some of the trail is along a narrow wetland boardwalk. The trailhead parking is very close to the Lake Michigan shore, allowing you to walk the beach before or after your hike in the woods.

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Follow along one of the tributaries to Kids Creek as you walk beneath grand old maple and beech trees. Watch as the plant types change as you cross a bridge and follow a boardwalk through a stand of with cedar know as the “Cedar Cathedral.” The Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area is a 140-acre park with miles of unpaved trails that wander up, down, and around wooded hillsides, streams, meadows, and wetlands. The park is a part of the overall Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment District and was originally a part of the former State Psychiatric Hospital. Hiking, biking, nature watching and cross-country skiing are all enjoyed at the park. Adjacent to the park on the east is The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a redevelopment of the old State Hospital area containing a mix of retail, office, and residential uses.

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Stay dry as you walk above grasshopper creek and a cedar swamp filled with wildflowers ferns. Then travel to the top of the ridge for excellent views into the densely wooded Boardman River Valley. The Brown Bridge Quiet Area is located on the Boardman River, a state designated Natural River, approximately 11 miles southeast of Traverse City. You can enjoy more than 6 miles of trails many different habitat types, timber bridges, boardwalks and gorgeous views of the Boardman River.

Learn more about this property HERE.

This preserve offers nearly three miles of trail winding through forest and meadow to stunning views of Lake Michigan and a beach of unparalleled beauty. For a one hour trip, consult the kiosk map at the trail head and travel just over 3/4 mile to the second overlook (retrace your steps back to the parking area).

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Haywood Park is an 11.35 acres park located approximately 6 miles from Traverse City and is combined with the Long Lake Township office and fire station. Haywood Park offers outdoor basketball and tennis courts, an official bocce ball court, a 1/3 mile running/walking track, two picnic pavilions, and playground equipment. The park also has three baseball diamonds and two soccer fields available by reservation. Haywood Park is handicap accessible and has public restrooms.

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Once a buffalo pasture, this picturesque meadow has been transformed into a public park complete with .75 miles of trails. This short 1/2 mile walk will take you over two foot bridges crossing Kids Creek. Peer into the water and see if you can spot a small fry.

The 3/4 mile trail network includes wooden bridges and boardwalks following Kids Creek and fishing platforms on Oleson Pond. Bring your own fishing equipment and spend some quality time hiking and fishing with your family. This artificial pond is stocked regularly and features a fishing platform specially designed for kids. The compacted stone trails are also friendly for strollers and wheel chairs.

Nestled between the Great Wolf Lodge and Kohl’s, this park is a hidden gem along US-31. Kids Creek Park makes for a great walk after some shopping at the nearby businesses!

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Cedar Run Creek Natural Area is 316 acres of undeveloped property located 9 miles west of Traverse City. The area includes 1500 feet of pristine shoreline on the northern end of Cedar Lake and 8700 feet of shoreline on both sides of Cedar Run Creek. There are some designated trails on the property. The abandoned M&NE railroad grade runs through a portion of the property. The land is a mixture of cedar, hemlock, mature hardwood, managed aspen, and planted red pine that provide an excellent habitat for the Wood Turtle and the Red Shouldered Hawk. Also, a pair of Common Loon have resided on Cedar Lake over the past several years. The property is adjacent to 40 acres of land owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources where there is a managed boat launch. The site offers a location for cross-country skiing, hiking, bird watching, fishing, hunting, and trail biking. Access to the trailhead is on Cedar Lake Road.

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Spend half a day exploring the forests and dunes along Lake Michigan. This trail connects to the Platte River Campground loops. White Pines backcountry campground also is located on this trail system. You will find three access points to the Lake Michigan beach along the trail.

This fabulous cobble beach features wetland vegetation that, depending on water levels, feeds wading birds and waterfowl. Further from the shore, you’ll find terraced slope with boulders deposited by the glaciers, telling the tale of the rise and fall of the Great Lakes. This is a birding hot spot as well. Steep stairs lead to an observation deck overlooking Lake Michigan. South Fox Island is visible from here. Explore 42 acres and 640 feet of undeveloped shoreline along Lake Michigan.

This is a short out and back trip on a nice paved trail. Perfect for strollers, wheelchairs or anyone looking for a quick trip outdoors. The trail follows a ridge overlooking the Boardman River and ends overlooking Boardman Pond offering excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. This 505-acre natural area includes marsh, swamp, upland forest, pine forest, creek, river, and an active beaver pond. The cover types of the area provide excellent habitat for beaver, otter, mink, fox, deer, and many other animals and birds. The Boardman River runs through the property and is the central feature of the reserve.

This trail descends a wooded bluff to where many dune zones, including dune swale complexes, are passed on the way to a popular beach. A one mile trip will bring you to beautiful beach with a view of Lake Michigan’s East Bay. Reverse your direction one mile back to the parking area. Your trip can be extended with a walk on the beach where you can find Petoskey Stones and Leland Blue Stones.

Michigan Legacy Art Park is a sculpture park dedicated to sharing the stories of the people, events and natural resources that continue to shape the legacy of Michigan. Contemporary artists interpret these stories through outdoor sculpture. The Art Park provides a rich cultural experience for thousands of visitors annually.

Taken at a leisurely pace with moments for reflection, a hike through the Art Park typically lasts between 90 minutes and two hours and covers 1.6 miles of trails. Along your hike, you will discover 45 sculptures, 30 poetry stones and an area of student work. Interpretive signs will help you grasp the meaning of the works.

Coming Summer 2014: a NEW barrier-free trail will be built to provide people of all ages, needs and abilities access from the parking lot to the amphitheater. 

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The 66-acre Miller Creek Nature Reserve can be found behind the Grand Traverse Crossings Mall on South Airport Road. The trails at pass through a former red pine plantation, skirt the edges of open meadows, wind through beautiful beech forests, cross boardwalks through cedar swamps, and follow Miller Creek, a tributary of the Boardman River.

Learn more about this property HERE.