30+ Hiking Trails for Families in Southeast Michigan

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.

John Muir

One thing we love to do as a family is get outside and play intentionally on Sundays. No phones {except for a few photos} — just us chatting, walking our dog, and making memories.

We’ve been focusing on trying as many hiking trails for families in southeast Michigan as possible during the past few years. While we haven’t gotten to all of these trails, many are on our list to visit.

A few requirements we follow since we have kids: We focus on trails that are 5 miles or less and a loop when possible {just makes it easier and more fun than back-tracking}. I use the AllTrails app to find trails.

Most of these are FREE to visit, with the exception of a few. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks require a pass. For the State Recreation parks, you can either purchase a pass with your Michigan driver’s license registration {$11 for the year}, buy a day pass, or rent a Michigan Activity Pass from your local library to gain entry.

I organized this list in alphabetical order by CITY. I tried to grab as many as possible in/near the metro areas of Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, and Lansing.

Have so much fun exploring and remember there is no bad weather for hiking in Michigan; winter hikes are just as beautiful as spring and summer!

30+ Hiking Trails for Families in Southeast Michigan

Bird Hills Trail {Ann Arbor} — There are 4.8 mile and 2.3 mile loops available at this park. FREE.

Barton Nature Area {Ann Arbor} — This hiking loop is 2.4 miles and is good for all skill levels. FREE.

Nichols Arboretum {Ann Arbor} — This loop trail is 2.6 miles and features a river. Visit during peony season to make it extra special! FREE. May need to pay for parking.

Eberwhite Woods {Ann Arbor} — There is a 1.5 mile loop in a forest setting at this park. FREE.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens {Ann Arbor} — There are a 1.6 and 4.2 mile trails available. FREE. May need to pay for parking.

Brighton State Recreation Area {Brighton} — There are 5 trail options here, including shorter ones like the Yellow Kahchin Trail {1.7 miles}. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Island Lake State Recreation Area {Brighton} — There are 7 different trails here to explore with a vairety of lengths. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Oaken Transformations {Brighton} — This .5 mile loop trail features poetry and sculptures throughout the woods. Note: located on the property of a doctor, so only open Monday – Friday. FREE.

Kensington Metropark {Brighton/Milford} — Lots of options here with 15 different trails. We love exploring and birding around the nature center. Metroparks pass required.

For-Mar Nature Preserve {Burton} — 2.7 mile loop that features a river. Learn more reasons we love this spot, including it’s amazing tree fort and nature center here. FREE.

Lower Rouge Parkway {Canton} — There are two short hiking trails here. FREE.

Waterloo State Recreation Area {Chelsea} — This park features 13 different trails to explore. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Belle Isle Park {Detroit} — This park has two shorter trails, not to mention tons of extras for kids to do! See my post here. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Dequindre Cut Greenway {Detroit} — This is an urban 2 mile point-to-point trail. FREE.

Hudson Mills Metropark {Dexter} This park features two short hiking trails. Metroparks pass required.

Heritage Park {Farmington} — There are two trail options here — both a 2 mile and 3.2 mile trails. Check out some of our other favorite reasons to visit this park here! FREE.

Deerfield Hills Nature Area {Fenton} — This park features a 3.8 mile loop that features a lake and forests. FREE.

The Ledges of Grand Ledge {Grand Ledge} — Visit Fitzgerald Park and hike the trails for beautiful views that look like the upper peninsula! Vehicle pass may be required during certain times.

Highland State Recreation Area {Highland} — There are 8 different trails to explore here. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Seven Lakes State Park {Holly} — This park has 3 shorter trails available. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Holly State Recreation Area {Holly} — There are several trails available. The Wildwood and Valley Lake Trail is a 2.5 mile loop. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Bald Mountain State Recreation {Lake Orion} — This park features 6 trails, with two that are less than 5 miles. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Fenner Nature Center {Lansing} — There are two trails here; the Tamarak Trail is 1.6 miles that features wild flowers, and the Oak Ridge Trail is 0.7 miles. FREE.

Rotary Park Loop {Livonia} — This park has a 1.6 mile loop that features a river. FREE.

Leonard Preserve {Manchester} — This loop is 3.7 miles and features wild flowers and nature. FREE.

Proud Lake State Recreation Area {Commerce/Milford} — This park features 4 trails for long or shorter hikes. Michigan Recreation passport required.

River Raisin National Battlefield {Monroe} — This national park has a 1 mile loop that features a river. FREE.

Crosswind Marsh Preserve {Belleville} — This park features 6 hiking trails, including 2.5 mile and 1.1 mile loops. FREE.

Oakwoods Metropark {New Boston} — This metropark features a few trails, but the Long Bark Trail is the most family-friendly with a 2.3 mile loop trail. There is also a nature center to check out. Metroparks pass required.

Maybury State Park {Northville} — There are a few trail options here, including a 1.3 mile loop. There is also a farm near the trails that is fun to explore when open! Michigan Recreation passport required.

Harris Nature Center {Okemos} — Both a 0.6 mile and 0.3 mile loop trails are available. This one is great for little ones! FREE.

White Spruce and Beech Tree Loop in Eastgate Park {Okemos} — This park has a 2.3 mile loop and features a river. FREE.

Pinckney Recreation Area {Pinckney/Dexter} — This park features 13 different trails, including three that are less than 3 miles. Michigan Recreation passport required.

Dinosaur Hill Nature Loop {Rochester} — This 0.9 mile loop is perfect for all skill levels and features a river. FREE.

Cranberry Lake Park Trail {Rochester} — This park has a 1.1. mile loop for all skill levels. FREE.

Lake Erie Metropark {Rockwood} — The Cherry Island Marsh trail is a 1.6 mile loop trail for all skill levels. Metroparks pass required.

Beckwith Nature Preserve {Stockbridge} — This spot features a short trail with a 1.3 mile loop. FREE.

Stage Nature Center Loop {Troy} — This trail is a 1.5 mile loop that is good for all skill levels. FREE.

Marsh Bank Park Loop {West Bloomfield} — This park has a 1.3 mile loop. FREE.

West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve {West Bloomfield} — This trail is 2.1 miles and features woods. FREE.

Stony Creek Metropark {Washington} — This park has 11 hiking trails, with several trails that are less than 5 miles. Metroparks pass required.

North Bay Trail {Ypsilanti} — North Bay Trail is a 1.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Ypsilanti, Michigan that features a river and is good for all skill levels. $3 pass entry fee.

I hope you have so much fun exploring and feel free to chime in with your favorites; we are lucky to have so many great ones around us!

TIP: Make sure you follow 1000 Hours Outside for ideas on what to do while outside. She has tons of cool ideas {and is actually local too}!

Where are your favorite spots to take a family hike?

Find more fun things to do outside in winter and outside in summer at the links highlighted. Many of these spots also have disc golfing available too!