If you live in the United States or are planning a vacation and have been looking forward to hiking, then Michigan is the place to be. Located in the Great Lakes region, Michigan has varied topographical elements, from crystal clear lakes to dense hardwood forests and so much more, making hiking in Michigan an experience like no other.
Hiking offers plenty of benefits, from reducing feelings of stress and anxiety, all thanks to the fresh air of the great outdoors, to also helping you stay fit. And for those who love running up a good trail, the health benefits are endless. The best season to hit the hiking trails in Michigan is Spring, when the ice is slowly melting, the wildflowers are in full bloom, and the air is thick with birdsong and the calls of the state’s wildlife.
10 Best Hiking Trails in Michigan
With countless trails cascading through some of the most stunning landscapes in the US, Michigan has plenty of hikes that are bound to leave you spellbound. This section takes you through 10 of the best hiking spots in Michigan that you can check out. These are of varied difficulties and lengths.
Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls Via Chapel Loop
Place: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Address: Munising Township, MI 49884, United States
Length: 10.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For:
- Hiking and Camping
- Beaches and waterfalls
- Wildflowers and wildlife
The highlight of the Chapel Loop is that it takes you to both Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls, all the while giving you a glimpse of the varied topography the state of Michigan has to offer. Chapel Beach also makes for the perfect reward at the end of this long hike.
Empire Bluffs Trail
Place: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Address: Empire Bluff Trail, Honor, MI 49640, United States
Length: Moderate
Difficulty: 1.4 miles
Best For:
- Out-and-back
- Running and hiking
- Beaches, forests, and lakes
The Empire Bluff Trail takes you through a beech-maple forest that’s rife with wildflowers. A boardwalk offers lofty views of Lake Michigan. Lined with beaches along various parts of the trail, you can find plenty of spots to lay back and soak in the sun and the sounds.
Manistee River Trail
Place: Manistee National Forest
Address: Hodenpyl Trail, Mesick, MI 49668, USA
Length: 19.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For:
- Camping, fishing, and hiking
- Dogs allowed on leashes
- Wildlife and wildflowers
The Manistee River Trail is perhaps among the most popular backpacking trails in Michigan. Its waterfall site offers the perfect place to lie down and fall asleep under the stars. The trail also features stunning views of the Manistee River and plenty of swimming holes.
The Dune Climb Trail
Place: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Address: Glen Arbor Township, MI 49636, USA
Length: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Best For:
- Sand
- Birdwatching and hiking
- Wildflowers and wildlife
This is perhaps amongst the most challenging hikes in all of Michigan, owing to one key element: sand. Hiking over sand is not easy, but if you’re someone who never shies away from a challenge, this hike offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan leading up to the beach at the end of the trail for some much-needed respite.
Pyramid Point
Place: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Address: Michigan, USA
Length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For:
- Hiking, running, and walking
- Forests and Lakes
- Dogs allowed on leashes
The Pyramid Point Loop is one of Michigan’s most beautiful hikes and is ideal for those who want to enjoy the sights of Lake Michigan without too much time and energy spent on the hike itself. The key highlight of this hike is the smaller trails that shoot off the primary trail, each of which offers a unique perspective of the lake below.
Miner’s Falls Trail
Place: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Address: Munising Township, MI 49884, United States
Length: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Best For:
- Hiking and walking
- Bird watching
- Rivers, forests, and waterfalls
With trails dominated by gentle gravel slopes, this easy hike meanders through dense forests, offering a couple of gorgeous overlooks, all of which lead up to a large waterfall. Dogs are allowed here on a leash, making it the ideal hike for families with pets and young kids.
Crahen Valley Park Loop
Place: Crahen Valley Park
Address: 4355 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, United States
Length: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For:
- Cross-country skiing and mountain biking
- Partially-paved and kid-friendly
- Rivers and forests
This three-mile loop is moderately challenging and makes for one of the best hiking trails in Michigan for those who’d rather pull out their compasses than read directions on signs. The paved sections are ideal for strollers, while the unpaved ones are a delight for enthusiasts and mountain bikers.
Canyon Gorge Trail
Place: Canyon Falls Roadside Park
Address: Old US Hwy 41, L'Anse, MI 49946, United States
Length: 3.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For:
- Hiking and running
- Forests, rivers, and waterfalls
Nicknamed ‘The Grand Canyon of Michigan,’ this is an easy-to-moderate trail that’s ideal for a day out with your entire family. With plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, this trail offers something for everyone. Shaded by a beautiful canyon above, this makes for a truly picturesque hike.
Great Sand Bay Trail
Place: Mohawk, Michigan
Address: Eagle Harbor Township, MI 49950
Length: 4.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For:
- Hiking and running
- Forests and sand dunes
This is a great trail for those who want to enjoy a hike along the intersection of forests, sand dunes, and a beach. While there’s also an inland trail to enjoy, you should stop by some of the dunes to marvel at the views on offer before heading down to the beach for a relaxed end to your hike.
Greenstone Ridge Trail: Windigo to Tobin Harbor
Place: Isle Royale National Park
Address: Michigan, USA
Length: 39.5 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Best For:
- Backpacking and camping
- Forests, lakes, and rivers.
The Greenstone Ridge Trail is a point-to-point hike from one end of an island to another and is also its longest trail. It takes hikers through a variety of landscapes, including marshy swamps, forests, and rocky sections. With several campgrounds along the trail, you also have plenty of options if you want to explore camping in Michigan.
5 Easy Hiking Trails in Michigan
While Michigan offers a wide array of hiking trails across all kinds of difficulties, several options are easy and perfect for those who want to spend a day out with their families or pets. Some of these hikes are mentioned below.
Presque Isle Park Loop: With comfortable facilities, some stunning views, and well-laid-out paths, this trail is perfect for those who want to step out birdwatching or enjoy the chance to spot some wildlife.
Seidman Park Red and Blue Loop Trail: This hour-and-a-half-long trail near Ada Township, Michigan, follows the red and blue trails but also offers several offshoots for you to explore. It’s among the best hikes in Michigan to enjoy over the weekend or after a day of work.
Mackinac Island Outer Loop: Located in the Mackinac Island State Park, this eight-mile-long trail is perfect for families with kids or even elderly members who need to rely on wheelchairs. It’s incredibly popular for road biking, hiking, and fishing.
Munising Falls Trail: The Munising Falls Trail is a short 10-minute paved trail that leads up to two staircases that offer stunning views of Munising Falls. It’s perfect for kids and elderly members in wheelchairs along one of the two paths.
Lower Tahquamenon Falls: This loop trail near Paradise, Michigan is popular for camping, hiking, and birding, and features either wooden planks or hard dirt with a tiny bit of gravel making it easy for kids and even those in wheelchairs to go around. It also has some of the top campgrounds in Michigan.
5 Places for Hiking in Michigan With Waterfalls
As someone who loves the sound of flowing water and is motivated by a stunning waterfall during a hike, you’ll love some of the trails mentioned below.
Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls: This 10-mile-long trail takes you to the upper falls, which are 200 feet wide and drop 50 feet, and to the lower falls, which consist of five smaller waterfalls that go around an island.
Three Peaks Loop around Lake of the Clouds: The Three Peaks Loop while suitable for all skills requires good physical fitness. The stunning views of the Lake of the Clouds make this hike worth the time spent.
Dead River Falls: This short out-and-back trial offers views of some of the most beautiful waterfalls you can find in Michigan. Crossing the river and navigating some of the sections can be a test of your skills, but the end offers a sweet reward.
Chapel Beach Loop: With views of the Chapel River, the Chapel Rock, and the hike ultimately culminating at Chapel Beach, this loop trail is perfect for those who love a mix of terrains.
Hungarian Falls: This trail is open all year round and is a brilliant hiking trail in Michigan that is worth visiting on its Upper Peninsula. You can also explore a slightly less-traveled trail on the opposite side of Dover Creek if you’re feeling adventurous.
Hiking Checklist and Items
When you step out for a hike, no matter how easy it is, you must carry certain essentials with you to make your time safer, easier, and enjoyable. These essentials range from your clothing and basic gear to other items, such as a power backup option and a first aid kit. You should also have a pair of good hiking boots if you’re hiking in the rain. A detailed list is provided below:
- Portable Power Generator:A camping generator such as the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station or a Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus
- Clothing and Accessories:Moisture-wicking base layers, a rain jacket or a poncho, sunglasses, a hat, and comfortable hiking boots.
- Navigation and Tools:A multitool, a compass, and a fire-starting kit with basic utensils (if you’re camping)
- Food and Drinks:Nuts, trail mix, tinned fish or meat, protein bars, potable drinking water, energy drinks.
- First-Aid Kit:Painkillers, gauze, antiseptic, anti-allergy medication, antibiotics, and eye drops.
Jackery Portable Power Supply for Hiking
When you’re out hiking, you never know what unexpected changes could alter your plan, such as thunderstorms, floods, avalanches, and so on. Having a reliable form of power backup in such situations is essential to ensure you remain connected to your loved ones and emergency services at all times. Choosing the best solar charger for hiking then becomes crucial.
Jackery is one of the most renowned manufacturers of solar generators for camping, portable power stations, and solar panels. The Jackery Solar Generators combine the Jackery Portable Power Stations with the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. When you place these solar panels under direct sunlight, they absorb solar energy from the sun’s rays and convert this to DC electricity. This is then passed through the pure sine wave inverter to convert it to usable AC electricity.
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is the brand’s most compact portable power station, with enough capacity to recharge your smartphone, a camping light, and other smaller essentials. Its rugged build ensures that it will last you for years no matter what conditions you carry it in, and its compact size makes it perfect to slip into your backpack or even carry on a plane if you need to.
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a compact solar generator that weighs just 11 lbs and comes with solar panels that fold into the size of a book. Its compact nature and adequate capacity mean you can keep most of your essential devices charged and running when you’re camping along a hiking trail. Its quick setup and whisper-quiet functionality make it ideal for day-long or shorter hiking trips in Michigan.
|
Product |
Capacity |
Output |
Appliances |
|
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus |
99.2Wh |
Rated Watts: 128W |
Smartphone (29W): 2.9H Camping Lamp (5W): 16.8H Camera (8.4W): 10H Smart Speaker (10W): 8.4H Apple AirPods (1.5W): 56.2H |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus |
288Wh |
Rated Watts: 300W Surge Watts: 600W |
Smartphone (29W): 8.4H Camping Lamp (5W): 48.9H Camera (8.4W): 29.1H Smart Speaker (10W): 24.4H Drone (60W): 4H |
Conclusion
As a resident or even a tourist in Michigan, you’ll soon discover that the state is filled with plenty of stunning trails you can hike. Hiking in Michigan offers you various terrains, some of the most spectacular sights, and options across various difficulties.
This guide has offered some of the most eye-catching and exhilarating hikes in Michigan, along with a few easier options and those that take you to some of the state’s treasured waterfalls.
When you’re out on these trails, remember to carry a power backup supply for your personal devices. Jackery Portable Power Stations are the ideal investment owing to their robust and compact build, reliability, and versatility.
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