With the Spring Equinox right around the corner, it’s not too early to plan your nearby hiking adventures! We’ve compiled this list of trails in the Central Michigan region. The list is certainly not exhaustive, but will give you some options you’ve likely never considered before. Be sure to brief yourself of rules and regulations for each trail system and always follow Leave No Trace principles. To learn more about the seven miles of trail we manage visit: cwc-mi.org/preserves.
Central Michigan hiking trails within 30 minutes of Mt. Pleasant:
Alma Conservation Park
City of Alma page
Trail Map & Details
Mountain Bike Trail
2.5 miles of single track
Audubon Woods Preserve (CWC)
Audubon Woods Trail Map
40 acres
Hiking trails (not groomed in winter)
All CWC Nature Preserves
Bundy Hill Preserve (CWC)
Bundy Hill Map
100 acres
2 miles hiking trails (not groomed in winter)
Chippewa Nature Center
Trail Map w/Conditions
1200 acres
19+ miles of trail
Hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
CMU Neithercut Woodland
CMU Neithercut Woodland Trail Map
252.3 acres
Hiking (not groomed in winter)
Deerfield Nature Park
Deerfield Nature Park Map
Deerfield Nature Park Details
591 acres
Hours: 8 am-dusk
8 miles of marked trails
Groomed in winter: Hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing
Green Pine Lake Pathway (not marked very well)
Lakeside Motel Details & Map
11 miles of hiking trails — many are flooded out
Halls Lake Natural Area (CWC, Kabana/Neely Preserve)
Kabana Preserve Map
Neely Preserve Map
126 acres
Hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing
Ithaca Jailhouse Trail
REI Hiking Project Map & Details
Mountain Bike Trail
4.1 miles
Little Forks Conservancy Nature Preserve
839 acres combined
Meridian Park
Meridian Park Details & Map
145 acres
All Isabella County Parks
Midland City Forest
City of Midland Info & Maps
520 acres
Hours: 6 am – 11 pm
6.8 miles/11.km cross-country ski trail (groomed)
13 miles of bike trails
*Please note other Midland trails (not mapped) at bottom of page
Mid-Michigan Community College Trails
MMCC page w/map links on right
560 acres
3 miles hiking trails
19 miles mountain biking/hiking trails
Montcalm Community College Trails
Maps & Trail Info
4 miles hiking/cross-country ski trail (groomed)
Pine Haven Recreation Area
Midland County Page
Trail Guide & Directions
325 acres
Hiking, cross-country skiing (groomed,) mountain biking
2.3 miles cross-country skating
3.5 miles single-track mountain bike trail
*Note: owned by the State of Michigan, open to hunting
Sylvan Solace Preserve (CWC)
Trail Map
78 acres
Hiking trails (not groomed in winter)
Bookmark this permalink for Michigan Hiking Trails and Kayaking Places: Google Map link
