Eight Great Winter Hikes in Northern Michigan

Nearly 50 miles of trails to hike, snowshoe, and ski

By Maxwell Howard | Dec. 14, 2024

As the cold weather sets in, it can be a challenge to stay active, but thanks to our local conservancies, northern Michigan has an abundance of trails to experience no matter the temperature. Whether you are looking to snowshoe through serene, snow-covered woods, climb winter dunes to find that incredible view over a frozen Lake Michigan, or use the many groomed trails to cross-country ski, our trails have it all! Here are eight recommendations from several conservancies around the North.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Covering more than 47,000 acres of land and 155 miles of shoreline, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) has been hard at work protecting critical habitats to ensure flora and fauna can thrive and people can continue to enjoy nature.

1. At Maplehurst Natural Area in Antrim County, visitors can hike around the beautiful Lake Maplehurst on 5.4 miles of trails. This stunning property features 150 acres of steep, hardwood-forested bluffs that flow into Torch Lake, along with open meadows surrounding the lake, a pristine 60-acre spring-fed treasure. Because the trail is positioned on high ground, hikers can also get excellent views of the Torch Lake, Elk Lake, and Grand Traverse Bay. Cross-country skiing is available on the trail, although there is no grooming.

2. Nearer Kalkaska, the Upper Manistee Headwaters: The Milock Family Nature Preserve has its own 130-acre spring-fed lake, diverse wetland habitats, and forests. The preserve is able to support its large number of species like loons, bald eagles, and smooth green snakes (the only snake species in Michigan that is bright green in color). With almost 6 miles of trails, the preserve has lots of flat area that’s great for beginners to snowshoe and cross-country ski.

3. In Grand Traverse County, Turtle Cove Nature Preserve features a 1.7-mile trail loop which guides visitors through the different habitats of forest, steep lake bluffs, and bog. While in the warmer months visitors can be on the lookout for the scores of fish, reptiles, and amphibians that Turtle Cove has to offer, hikers and snowshoers in the winter can look out over the frozen Arbutus Lake and keep an eye out for deer, foxes, and year-round birds like the black-capped chickadee.

4. And then there’s Arcadia Dunes, GTRLC’s largest preserve. Encompassing a massive 3,800 acres with 15 miles of trail, this preserve offers hikes through dunes that are universally accessible from the parking lot all the way to a beautiful overlook of Lake Michigan. The preserve is also a part of the Sleeping Bear Birding Trail and is an amazing birding experience. Within the preserve there are multiple different trails to choose from. Whether you are looking for fantastic hiking and want to try out the Dry Hills Trail or you want to cross-country ski the flatter Camp Trail, Arcadia Dunes has it all!

Little Traverse Conservancy

Since its founding in 1972, the Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) has been working to protect local lands and natural diversity. The nonprofit now manages 400 nature preserves and 38 working forest reserves spanning from Charlevoix all the way up to Mackinac County.

5. About 10 miles east of Indian River and easily accessible off of I-75, you’ll find Boyd B. Banwell Nature Preserve. This preserve has nearly 3 miles of frontage along the Pigeon River, making it a picturesque location to hike. Trails are groomed periodically throughout the winter. For a unique experience, check out the Nature Megaphone located along the trail. The megaphone is a wooden acoustic amplification device that you can step into, allowing you to hear birdsong and other sounds of the natural world.

6. A recent addition to the LTC trails is the Don and Eileen Klein Nature Trail. Completed earlier this year, this new trail is accessible from downtown East Jordan and has a half mile of boardwalk trails along the Jordan River. If visitors want to extend their hike, the trail leads to an additional 1-mile trail at the Rogers Family Homestead Nature Preserve. Be sure to keep an eye out for minks and muskrats in the wetlands area that borders the boardwalk!

Leelanau Conservancy

Founded in 1988, the Leelanau Conservancy (LC) dedicated their organization to the vision to protect all peninsula’s unique landscapes.

7. For a quiet, peaceful place to hike, the LC recommends one of its newer preserves: Pat’s Preserve at Lime Lake. Covering over 60 acres along the southwest shore of Lime Lake, the preserve offers an easy, short hike with a quarter-mile boardwalk leading up to the lakefront from which hikers can see a view of Sugar Loaf across the water. The preserve is home to a diverse set of wildlife where otters, beavers, coyotes, and bears can all coexist.

8. For more of an adventure, visitors can check out Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, LC’s largest natural area. With more than 1,075 acres, the preserve has plenty of rolling hills and 15 miles of trails for more difficult hiking and cross-country skiing. Winter is a great time to visit as views across the landscape open up with the disappearing leaves. The preserve offers groomed and ungroomed trails for cross-country skiing, which all feature wide paths and gradual turns.