Best Hikes in Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan has some of the best hiking in the Midwest, specifically in NoMi. NoMi is the locals’ term referring to the Northwest region of the Lower Peninsula. A little over three years ago I moved to Traverse City, a small town near the Leelanau Peninsula and the place most people would consider the heart of NoMi. Since then, I’ve put together a list of my favorite hiking spots all within an hour of town. Some of them are Google-able, and some of them are only learned through word-of-mouth and exploring. If you’re headed to NoMi this weekend, these are definitely worth a visit!
Whaleback Natural Area (45.005989, -85.769988): this short hiking trail is just outside of Leland off of M22. It’s an easy hike that’s about 1.5 miles in length. There are sections of exposed tree roots so it’s best to watch your step, but the elevation change is incredibly small considering the breathtaking view of the Manitou Passage you get from the overlook. If you’re looking for a quick hike with Instagram-worthy views, this is it. Plus, you can bring your doggo!
Cathead Bay Trails (45.174543, -85.574627): these trails are located just past Northport and take you through part of the Leelanau State Park. Fortunately, it’s a lot less popular than the lighthouse and campground side of the park to the north - mostly just because I think less people know about it. There’s two separate loops depending on what you’re looking for. The Lake Michigan Trail heads to the shoreline and passes the Manitou Overlook observation deck, and has one of my favorite beaches to swim at in the summertime. The slightly longer Mud Lake trail goes along the inland lake area and is less popular, but great for birdwatchers and identifying trees and plant-life. The loops also combine in several locations if you’d prefer to hike the whole thing! Dogs are allowed on both hiking loops, but they aren’t allowed on the shoreline.
Sleeping Bear Point Trail (44.911256, -86.040652): Sleeping Bear Dunes and Empire have some of the prettiest trails - and everybody knows it. They’re usually heavily trafficked and, while beautiful, I sometimes feel like that takes away from the hike. This one, however, is further north and generally less busy. The trail is pretty much all sand so it is a bit of a workout at times, but you can choose to hike along the dunes, down to the beach, or both. It’s a perfect hike if you want views from up high but also to be able to reach the water, as many of the trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes are one or the other. As a bonus, there’s usually some pretty good Petoskey stone hunting!
Green Point Dunes (44.584791, -86.218227): Near Frankfort, this trail has shoreline, forests, and meadows. And a shipwreck. That’s right, the City of Boston is still hanging out at the bottom of Lake Michigan about 200 feet offshore, so bring your snorkels and feel free to explore! Just make sure not to disrupt the shipwreck. This is a more moderate hike compared to some of the others on this list, so bring lots of snacks and water, especially if you’re bringing the kiddos!
Old Mission State Park (44.991512, -85.478355): At the end of Old Mission Peninsula is the state park and lighthouse. The lighthouse is open seasonally, but the trails are available year-round. In front of the lighthouse expands shallow water for quite a ways and is a perfect spot to let your children or pup play in the water. If you go a little further, there’s an impressive trail system that has tons of routes that are well-marked. The trails are fairly easy and flat, but the scenery changes around every corner, making it one of my favorites! And if it’s summertime, you can stop at the cherry stands on your way back into town for a delicious post-hike treat.
Jordan Valley Pathway (45.04598, -84.93512): This inland hike is an 18.7 mile loop that is great for backpacking trips or day trips. About halfway on the trail is a campground if you choose to do the backpacking loop for a weekend, but there’s also tons of spots worthy of just visiting for the day. There’s marshes, rivers, bridges, forests, and even a portion with trees so tall that it looks like you’re walking through Jurassic Park. You might see a person or two along the way, but it’s definitely a well-kept secret for Michiganders. This hike is beautiful year-round, but if you’re lucky enough to see it in the fall, the views of the leaves changing color are pretty unforgettable.
Other Honorable Mention Hikes:
Empire Bluff Trail (44.891192, -86.066466): a very instagram-worthy trail, but very busy with tourists.
Pyramid Point Trail (44.962129, -85.929907): another trail with meadows, forests and dunes that is also heavily populated with tourists but offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan and a dune climb!
Brown Bridge Quiet Area (44.646748, -85.477724): an inland hike that doesn’t offer views of Lake Michigan, but it does have a river and a ton of trails. It’s not as populated as the other ones and is great if you want a quiet hike without much company.
Dunes Trail (44.882331, -86.044445): a popular hike with lots of tourists, but worth it! The hike starts with a huge trek up a dune climb, but it’s kid-friendly and a challenge for everyone. It sits right between Lake Michigan and Glen Lake with trails in all directions. Despite it being a summer favorite, you can have a hike all to yourself once you’re at the top if you explore past the dune climb.
