26 Bucket-List Michigan Hiking Trails (with maps!)
April 19, 2024
Searching for Michigan’s best hiking trails? Here are the 26 best hiking trails in Michigan for views, waterfalls, and swimming!
Why this blog? Hi there! I’m Maddy and I’ve been working as a Lake Superior wilderness guide and outdoor writer since 2018. I was born and raised in Michigan! A few times a year, I make the trek to the Traverse City to see my family area from Northern Wisconsin— along the way, I stop and explore some of the best hiking in the state. I’ve spent most of my life exploring the Michigan Trails, and I’m happy to show you around!
Oh hey there! This blog uses affiliate links! That means if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.
Adventures in Michigan! left: backpacking the Greenstone Ridge Trail on Isle Royale. right: Canoeing the Jordan River.
Leave No Trace in Michigan:
Much of the hiking and recreation in the state of Michigan is on the cultural and ancestral homelands of the Odawa and Ojibwe Nations. With this in mind, it’s important to treat all outdoor spaces with the respect of potential sites of cultural and archeological significance.
This includes packing out everything brought with you including toilet paper (which can take years to biodegrade) and apple cores (which can attract bears to the trailhead). Remember to leave everything as found, hike only on designated trails, hike through mud and not around it to avoid further damaging fragile trails, and pay attention to local invasive species concerns including cleaning hiking boots before hiking.
In addition, camp only in designated campsites and park only in designated parking spaces! Remember to plan ahead and prepare for wilderness travel, and be sure to carry three ways to signal for help beyond a cell phone (I like a whistle, signaling mirror, and Garmin InReach).
left: kayaking on a peaceful Michigan lake. right: kayaking the beautiful crystal river.
Packing for Michigan Hiking Trips:
Michigan can be hot during the day during the summer, but cool in evenings especially by the coast. Up on Lake Superior, temperatures may be much cooler year round. In Southern Michigan, prepare for ticks and in Northern Michigan, biting flies. Here’s what to pack for hiking in Michigan:
- Long pants: for women looking for a flattering fit and functionality try Kuhl Freeflex or REI Trailmade
- Long sleeve wool baselayers : wool tops like this make a great hiking layer both for sun protection and for regulating body temperature
- Shorts: I like a quick dry pair with a built-in belt and a elastic waist, swim-friendly pair
- If paddling or swimming: a UPF sun hoodie
- A down puffy jacket that packs down small: nights are a lot cooler than you might expect!
- A solid day hiking pack
- On rugged trails like those in the Upper Peninsula, trekking poles
- Hiking boots: I like Oboz Bridger Mids for best grip and ankle support, or alternately hiking/paddling sandals like Bedrocks (designed for paddling guides and paddling guide (me) approved)
- An America the Beautiful Pass
- If backpacking, backpacking gear!
- Exploring Michigan eBook
- A Michigan Recreation Pass
25 Best Hiking Trails in Michigan:
From coastal dunes to waterfalls and cliffside hikes, here are all the best hiking trails in Michigan:
1) Empire Bluffs Overlook Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes
Looking for the most beautiful hiking trail in the Lower Peninsula? Head out to the Empire Bluffs Trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This trail is 1.5 miles round trip and relatively easy, leading to a beautiful west-facing overlook of Lake Michigan!
Note!! A national park pass is required to park here, dogs need to be leashed, and it’s extra important to stay on trail in fragile dune environments.
Check out the best things to do while visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!
2) Manistee River Trail, North Country Trail
Perhaps the most popular backpacking trail in Michigan, the Manistee River Trail features beautiful bridges, lovely views of the river from high banks, swimming holes, and a “waterfall” (by the strictest definition of the name).
Depending on starting point the loop is 19-23 miles, and beginner friendly for backpackers with two creek crossings. Small fees are required and come prepared to see plenty of other backpackers!
Personally, while the Manistee River Trail is lovely, I much prefer the views and path on the nearby Fife Lake Loop (see below)
3) Fife Lake Loop, North Country Trail
The Fife Lake Loop is 21-miles with several beautiful overlooks of the Manistee River and other wetland areas. This loop is far less trafficked than the Manistee, and another good route for a beginner backpacker who has done their research.
4) Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
One of the most beautiful places to day hike and backpacking in Michigan is Porcupine Mountains State Park! Some of the most beautiful trails are the Escarpment Trail, the Lake of the Clouds Overlook, and the Big Carp River Trail. Lengths and difficulty vary based on how far out you choose to hike!
New to backpacking and don’t know where to start? Check out a beginner’s guide to packing a backpack, what to bring and what not to bring, preventative first-aid and more!
5) Spray Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The hike to Spray Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore just might be one of the most beautiful hikes in Michigan! Beginning from the Little Beaver Trailhead, its about 8 miles round trip and a moderately difficult hike.
left: view of spray falls. Right: swimming in a Lake Superior cove
This hike is popular in the summer, but not so popular as the nearby Chapel-Basin Loop. In my opinion, the best part of this hike is the beautiful coves along the shoreline making for the perfect swimming hole! American the beautiful pass required or $20 entrance fee. No pets are allowed.
Check out the best hiking trails in the Picture Rocks!
6) Huginnin Loop, Isle Royale National Park
Looking for one of the prettiest, most remote hiking trails in the state of Michigan? Catch a ferry out to Isle Royale National Park to explore the Huginnin Cove Loop from Windigo. Here, you can see unique views of Lake Superior, including a super interesting arch formation, coves, wooded terrain and moose.
that same unique arch, viewed from the water instead of the trail.
Fun fact I was actually charged by a moose on this trail, but don’t let that discourage you.
This loop is 8-miles round trip and a great option for beginner backpackers looking to cover just a few miles each day and camp on the shores of Lake Superior. Alternately, you could comfortably basecamp at Windigo and hike the whole loop in one day. No pets are allowed. Park map linked here.
Check out my full guide to visiting Isle Royale National Park!
7) Jordan River Trail, North Country Trail
The Jordan River Pathway is about 20 miles round trip, and often tackled as challenging one-night backpacking trip! This trail is especially lovely in the spring and fall, and the Jordan River itself is crystal clear and cold.
Here, the North Country National Scenic Trail crosses the 45th parallel.
8) Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Upper Peninsula of Michigan
One of the most iconic spots in all of Michigan Tahquamenon Falls has both quick hikes to both Upper and Lower Falls, as well 35+ miles of trails throughout the state park. In my opinion, this bucket list Michigan hike is most beautiful in the winter, and there is excellent winter camping right in the state park!
Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls in the winter.
9) Chapel-Basin Loop, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
One of the most stunning hikes in the state of Michigan, the Chapel-Basin Loop is probably also one of the most photographed hiking trails in the state. This popular 3-10 mile hike depending on route is likely to be very crowded and the parking lot fills early.
Views from the Chapel-Basin Loop
Download a Map here! I recommend tackling this route counter clockwise, first headed to Chapel Falls, then to Chapel beach where Chapel Creek cascades into Lake Superior (PERFECT swimming spot if I do say so myself). From here, continue on to beautiful Grand Portal Point. Enjoy views of the Lover’s Leap arch and hike along the shores of Lake Superior to the Mosquito River before heading back to the parking lot.
America the beautiful pass required, or $20 entrance fee. No pets are allowed.
Check out the best things to do in the Pictured Rocks!
10) Canyon Falls Roadside Park, Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Looking for a unique Michigan hike to a canyon? Head up to Canyon Falls Roadside park for a quick and beginner-friendly less than two mile round trip to Canyon Falls.
There aren’t any great maps available online, but beyond the google maps link you probably won’t need one; the trail is well-marked and easy to follow.
Enjoying Canyon Falls in the winter
11) Great Sand Bay, Keweenaw Peninsula
For a unique hiking, dune, and beach location, head up to the Great Sand Bay in the Keweenaw Peninsula! There’s an inland trail along this way as well, but I recommend stopping at some of the dune overlooks, and headed down to the beautiful sandy beach to swim.
This is probably the spot in Michigan that reminds me the most of the Oregon coast— specifically driving above the Great Sand Bay reminds me so much of driving to Neahkahnie Viewpoint.
12) Greenstone Ridge Trail, Isle Royale National Park
Looking for the crown jewel of Michigan backpacking? Check out the Greenstone Ridge trail which runs the rugged spine of Isle Royale National Park. This trail is 40-miles and considered one of the more difficult backpacking trails in Michigan.
Hiking rocky trails in Isle Royale National Park; fall on the Greenstone Ridge
I’ve only hiked sections of this trail but it is on my bucket list! Park map linked here.
Check out my full guide to visiting Isle Royale National Park!
13) Miner’s Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
For one of the most beautiful easy hiking trails in Michigan, head to Miner’s Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This large waterfall is just over a mile hike round trip, on a gravel path. Pets are allowed on a leash.
This trail can be paired with a visit to the popular Miner’s Castle rock formation, or a swim at the beautiful Miner’s Beach. Park map linked here.
America the beautiful pass required, or $20 entrance fee.
14) Pyramid Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes
The Sleeping Bear Dune’s Pyramid Point Trail can be done either as a three-mile loop, or just a quick jaunt out to the overlook of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands! This is a beautiful spot for those looking for more sightseeing with less hiking.
America the beautiful pass required, or $20 entrance fee. Pyramid Point Map linked here.
Check out the best hiking trails near Traverse City!
15) Ludington State Park
Ludington State Park is home to some of most beautiful costal hiking in Michigan with rolling sand dunes, inland lakes bridges and boardwalks. I recommend a 7+ mile loop parking at the Hamlin Beach House, hiking the Lost Lake Trail on the part that runs between the two lakes, to the Island Trail then to the Ridge Trail then on to the Lighthouse Trail, then along the beach and back up the Sable River Trail.
This is one of my favorite hikes I’ve done in Michigan to-date— unfortunately it was so long ago that I don’t have any photos handy. (You can actually check out some of my earlier hikes in this 2019 blog post on my archived blog— and if you’re thinking of starting a blog this is a happy reminder that we all really do have to start somewhere 🙂 )
Please note that the portions park will be closed September 3rd, 2024 through July 1, 2025 for park enhancements.
16) Avalanche Preserve, Boyne City
For beautiful views, a lot of stairs, and mountain biking trails, head to the Avalanche Preserve Trail in Boyne City! This hike is especially stunning in the fall.
Fall from the top of Avalanche Preserve
17) Wilderness State Park
Looking for a unique and rugged Michigan hiking destination? Check out the tip of the Lower Peninsula’s Wilderness State Park. Here, you can find 26+ miles of hiking trails, many of which are coastal, some of the best dark skies in the state, and hike/ski in rustic cabins.
18) Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire
For one of the true hidden-gem hiking trails of Michigan, visit the Grass River Natural Area near Bellaire, Michigan. The Grass River Natural Area is probably one of the best hiking paths in Michigan for spotting wildlife like river otter reliably— I’ve seen otter more than three times hiking here!
There are seven miles of trail total, and 1.5 of those miles are boardwalk floating in unique wetland environments; several of these trails are adaptive with braille on interpretive signs and ADA accessible. No fee is required here, but donations are encouraged!
Download a trail map and brochure here.
Check out the best things to do in Bellaire, Michigan.
19) Fort Custer Recreation Area, Battle Creek
Hike along lakes, the Kalamazoo River, wildflowers, and beautiful wetlands at For Custer Recreation Area. Here, you can find over 40 miles of hiking trails!
Fort Custer State Recreation Area wildflowers in the summer.
20) Sand Lakes Quiet Area, Traverse City
For 7-miles of hiking to sandy inland lakes, check out the Sand Lakes Quiet Area near Traverse City, Michigan. This trail is best done as a moderate day hike.
21) Glacial Hills Pathway, Bellaire
For 31+ miles of hiking and mountain biking pathways, check out the Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area in Bellaire, Michigan. This path is just a hop, skip, and job from downtown Bellaire and the wildly popular (and for good reason!) Short’s Brewery.
Check out the best things to do in Bellaire, Michigan.
22) Antrim Creek Natural Area, Charlevoix
For a quick two miles through wetlands, meadow, forest and eventually beach on Lake Michigan, visit the Antrim Creek Natural Area near Charlevoix, Michigan. This is a great place to find Petoskey stones and a beautiful place to watch the sunset.
Views from Antrim Creek Natural Area; pathway through wetlands and Lake Michigan.
23) Munising Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore’s Munising Falls is a short ADA-accessible footpath to a beautiful waterfall off a sandstone ledge.
America the beautiful pass required, or $20 entrance fee. Park map linked here.
24) Bond Falls, Upper Peninsula
This iconic Upper Peninsula waterfall is a short hike from the parking lot and portions of the hike are considered ADA Accessible from the lower parking lot. This is an easy must-visit if you’re driving through the UP or if you’re a waterfall lover!
25) The Waterfalls of the Keweenaw
Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula has so much to offer, including a bunch of shorter hikes leading to waterfalls! Check out Haven Falls, Jacob’s Falls, and Eagle River Falls!
These waterfalls are not technically hikes: find locations at the google maps pins linked above!
Check out the best things to do in the Keweenaw Peninsula!
26) The Dune Climb, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
For the most miserable hike in the entire state of Michigan, hit the Sleeping Bear Dunes’ Dune Climb. This four mile out and back over loose sand dunes to Lake Michigan is probably one of the more difficult hikes in Michigan— hiking over the sand is not easy, and temperatures on the dunes soar in the summer.
This hike is beautiful, but deceptively difficult. I have been personally victimized by the Dune Climb at least once a summer (it’s actually a delightful spot to snowshoe in the winter though!). Find a map of area trails linked here.
America the beautiful pass required, or $20 entrance fee.
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