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Best Places to Go Hiking in Southeast Michigan
These family nature trails in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties let families and kids get in touch with the great outdoors
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Looking for a year-round outdoor activity in the area? Well, southeast Michigan is full of scenic hiking trails – the perfect pastime for outdoorsy families looking for ways to take in the nature. We've scouted out some of the most family-friendly hiking trails in southeast Michigan that'll let you and the kids see everything from birds to trees while getting a little exercise in the process.
Addison Oaks Park (County)
- Address: 1480 W. Romeo Road, Leonard (32 Mile Road; nine miles north of Rochester)
- Phone: 248-693-2432
- Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; open year-round (closed Christmas Day)
- Admission: daily vehicle pass: $5/Oakland County residents, $10/nonresidents; $4/car for military and seniors age 62 and up
Feet and people-powered wheels find their way on six different trails (11 total miles) here at the northeast tip of Oakland County. The main Buhl Lake Loop drag is paved for hikes, bikes and rollerblades (note: does have some long-hill elevation changes, so be mindful for little legs). The other five packed-dirt trails include 6.8 miles for mountain bikes only, and a couple equestrian paths. Depending on the season, you'll also find swimming, camping, pedal boat rentals, disc golf and loads more.
Crosswinds Marsh Park (County)
- Address: 27600 Haggerty Road, Sumpter Township
- Phone: 734-654-1223
- Hours: dawn-dusk daily
- Admission: free
Did you know one of the largest manmade marshes in the country is located right in Wayne County? Fortunately, it's easy to tromp right over the ponds and streams – thanks to 1.4 miles of boardwalk. Eight total short trails also take you around these unique 1,050 acres, where you'll see a blend of wetlands, wildflower meadows and upland forests that attract over 200 species of birds and 30 species of mammals, plus reptiles, amphibians and fish. You can also travel five miles of equestrian trail that circle the park. While you're here, why not fish and canoe, too?
Independence Oaks Park (County)
- Address: 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston
- Phone: 248-625-0877
- Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; open year-round (closed Christmas Day)
- Admission: daily vehicle pass: $5/Oakland County residents, $10/nonresidents
There are 150-plus species of birds to spot along the 12 miles of trails here, the Michigan DNR notes, with bluebirds and swallows a highlight from March to August. At 2.5 miles, the paved Hawks' View Trail takes you through forest and field, where you may see one of the raptors soar overhead – and delivers you to the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center, always offering fun nature lessons, activities and programs. Though most miles aren't paved, park staff notes, they're well-traveled, making many routes bike- and stroller-friendly (one goes all the way around Crooked Lake, and some offer nice big hills for a bit of family exercise). In winter, groomed trails are open for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (ski rentals are available!).
Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve (County)
- Address: 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland; also entry points at in Central City Parkway between Nankin Boulevard and Warren Avenue (Westland) and the south side of Koppernick Road west of Hix Road (Canton)
- Phone: 734-261-1990
- Hours: dawn-dusk daily
- Admission: free
Adventurous family? Strap on your hiking boots to explore the unique nature along this rugged little trail network in a 500-plus acre preserve. Three areas are open, each with couple-mile loops. The east end's Ellsworth entrance, near Nankin Mills Recreation Center in Westland, is choice for a fall or winter hike (it's the site of the Tonquish Creek floodplain, so it's a bit soggy in summer – though if you brave it, you can find wild blueberries here!). The Cowan section, also in Westland, has lovely spring wildflowers. And the Koppernick area in Canton sprouts beech trees, ferns and tulip trees. No strollers or bikes allowed here – though there's paved space for that on the 17 paved miles of the Hines Drive trail.
Kensington Metropark
- Address: 2240 W. Buno Road, Milford
- Phone: 810-227-8910
- Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
- Admission: $5/daily vehicle entry permit, free to trail-users if you enter through park roads and hike/bike trails
Wildlife variety rules these 16 miles, from songbirds and sand-hill cranes to ducks, waterfowl and great blue herons that nest in spring – even chickadees that land on your hand to eat! Habitats like forest, wetlands and fields are all here, letting kids see plant life from cattails to towering oaks and beech trees. Its nature and farm centers offer fun side treks (check ahead for hours). Walkers, bicyclists and inline skaters are welcome on the eight-mile paved trail that circles Kent Lake. Hikers only (no pets) on more than seven miles of foot trails in the nature study area. A newly paved, one-mile extension connects this trail to Milford, Island Lake and West Oakland trails.
