Carefree Travel Guide 2022

Coming around a bend or cresting a hill to a view that takes your breath away is one of the best parts of exploring local trails. With a great variety of biking and hiking trails throughout West Michigan, we’ve rounded up some great spots to head out for some exercise, fresh air, and great views.

Trails

You’ll find over 12,500 miles of state designated trails and pathways in Michigan, making us home to one of the largest interconnected trail systems in the country. Whether you’re a bicyclist, hiker, ORV rider, cross-country skier, snowmobiler, or horseback rider, you’ll find a trail here to suit your needs. From long treks along the many linear trails to tranquil pathways in the state forests, Michigan offers hikers of all abilities and interests the chance to get out and explore. For more information on these and other trails in West Michigan, please visit Michigan.gov/DNR.

Noah Jurik | Arcadia Dunes

If you’re looking for a challenging hiking experience, the North Country Trail tops this list. While the entire trail runs from North Dakota to Pennsylvania, the trail headquarters is located locally to West Michigan in Lowell. Almost 1,150 miles of the trail run through West Michigan, passing through Battle Creek, Rockford, Mackinaw City, and the Upper Peninsula. On a smaller scale, try the TART trails in and around Traverse City, the Mount Baldhead trail in Saugatuck, or the Nordhouse Dunes in Manistee. Whether you’re looking for a trail to test your technical biking skills on, or want to find a small town to leisurely explore

by bicycle, West Michigan has a perfect destination for you. Take a leisurely trip and see the beautiful scenery of Charlevoix or Grand Haven, where you can ride through downtown and around the area’s shorelines. Challenge your endurance on the 34-mile Kal-Haven Trail running from Kalamazoo to South Haven, or test your technical skills on the Dry Hill Trails in the Arcadia Dunes just south of Frankfort. Embrace the colder months on area trails perfect for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling. Make sure you know if a trail allows motorized vehicles before you go, and don’t forget to bundle up!

Can’t-Miss West Michigan Trails

Cadillac Area Walk, bike, or run along Cadillac’s 200+ miles of trails all year round. During fall and winter, you can even snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe the trails. All area trails have public access with either free parking or MDNR recreation pass parking. CadillacMichigan.com

Holland Area With over 150 miles of paved bike paths, 8 miles of mountain biking and hiking at the Riley trails, and over 1/3 mile of beautiful sandy beach at the Holland State Park, there is truly something for everyone. Holland.org

Marquette Area Visitors to Marquette will find top-rated trails with over 100 miles of stunning routes to explore, offering everything from hiking and climbing to mountain biking and waterfall hunting. TravelMarquette.com

Blandford Nature Center Grand Rapids Blandford Nature Center offers 264 acres of natural land as a resource where West Michigan families can enjoy outdoor recreational activities & educational programming year round. BlandfordNatureCenter.org

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#WestMichigan | 2022 Carefree Travel Guide