12 New, Expanded, or Improved Trails to Explore in Northern Michigan

Hikers and bikers can make fresh tracks with these conservancy trails

By Drew VanDrie | May 24, 2025

Spring in Michigan arrives with an asterisk. After many fits and starts, a sunny afternoon that hovers around 70, and the inevitable late season snow that dampens all hope, eventually the renewal of spring prevails. Now that warmer weather has (finally) settled in, the urge to venture outside can no longer be denied.

For many outdoor enthusiasts, taking to the hiking trails and pathways is the ideal way to experience the emerging spring season. Northern Express connected with several conservancy groups about newly opened, improved, or otherwise lovely trails to hike, bike, and enjoy this spring.

(Pictured: Palmer Woods)

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Kaite Auwers, communications and outreach specialist at GTRLC, shares her recommendations on hot trails for 2025.

1. Birch Point Nature Preserve
gtrlc.org/recreation-events/preserve/birch-point-nature-preserve

This new Benzie County preserve opened in late 2024 and is adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It encompasses approximately 64 acres of dry-mesic northern forest habitat and 47 acres of a globally rare wooded dune and swale complex. This unique natural community, found only along shorelines of the Great Lakes, was formed by receding lake levels following the glaciation period thousands of years ago.

Featuring a combination of wetland swales and forested dune ridges, it provides crucial habitat for many sensitive species, including reptiles, amphibians, and migratory birds. The preserve features a roughly 3/4-mile trail that winds through serene woodlands, carefully designed to safeguard its delicate ecosystems and wildlife.

2. Green Point Dunes
gtrlc.org/recreation-events/preserve/green-point-dunes-nature-preserve

Home to sweeping Lake Michigan views, beach access and unique native habitats, Green Point Dunes is a local favorite along the lakeshore in Benzie County. To address erosion from heavy use along the steep terrain, crews began rerouting sections of the trail last year and will continue work through this spring and summer. The updated route includes earthen steps for easier hiking and to help protect the preserve’s fragile landscape.

3. Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve
gtrlc.org/recreation-events/preserve/pyatt-lake-the-bill-carls-nature-preserve

Building on recent improvements, Traverse City’s Pyatt Lake’s universally accessible (UA) trail is set to be expanded this year, connecting the preserve’s two trailheads without requiring visitors to traverse Pyatt Road. The extension—featuring a blend of aggregate trail and boardwalk—will offer a complete UA route for visitors with mobility challenges. Additional enhancements include upgrading the Peninsula Drive parking area with UA parking pads and formalizing a social trail from the southernmost observation platform to Peninsula Drive. This enhancement, primarily consisting of a hand-built trail and some non-UA boardwalk, will provide safe, walk-in access while protecting the preserve’s sensitive wetland habitats.

Leelanau Conservancy

Next, we checked in with Chad Jordan, infrastructure manager with the Leelanau Conservancy, to learn the latest on what’s happening with trails in Leelanau County.

4. Palmer Woods Forest Preserve
leelanauconservancy.org/naturalarea/palmer-woods-forest-reserve

In 2024 we added a nearly 3-mile hiking loop to the very center of the Palmer Woods property. This new loop is mostly a single-track style trail, but incorporates legacy two-tracks to close the loop. This is a named loop that is referred to as the Martin Brothers Loop. We have also weaved in a small spur to a glimpse of a water view of Good Harbor Bay.

Additionally, we completed a nearly one-mile hiking ascent from the North Parking Area. This rigorous new trail provides public access to the existing hiking trails of Palmer Woods on the other side of Wheeler Road. Be prepared for some heart-pounding hiking, as the glaciers made for a challenging backcountry experience here.

5. Stites Natural Area
leelanauconservancy.org/naturalarea/david-phyllis-stites-natural-area

In Suttons Bay, we added approximately 1.5 miles of purpose-built hiking trails. While laying out these trails, we kept our trail runners in mind while optimizing the experience for trail running. Featuring punchy climbs and long radiused grade reversals, the trail [allows] runners and hikers to get back to nature within ½ mile from the Suttons Bay village. The entire trail system at Stites Natural Area now tops out at just about 5 miles of natural surface trails.

6. Hatlam Creek Preserve
leelanauconservancy.org/naturalarea/hatlem-creek-preserve/

Lastly, we added a small bit of single-track hiking trail to a legacy two-track, out-and-back style trail at our Hatlem Creek Natural area. This new trail measures just about 0.3 miles and takes the trail user to a beautiful wetland overlook. Expect to see birds and wildlife while catching a bit of solitude on our newly installed benches.

Little Traverse Conservancy

We caught up with Anne Fleming, director of community outreach and communications, for some update and in-the-know trail info around the upper part of the (lower) Mitten.

7. Melvin Family Hiking and Biking Trails
landtrust.org/explore/melvin-hiking-biking/ 

In spring 2024, Little Traverse Conservancy opened up these designed mountain bike trails at this 280-acre working forest reserve in Cheboygan County. This reserve and trails are located between Burt Lake and Mullet Lake and are found a short distance from the tiny community of Topinabee and a few miles north of Indian River.

8. Offield Family Viewlands Working Forest Reserve
landtrust.org/explore/offield-family-viewlands-working-forest-reserve

In June 2024, we opened up more than 5 miles of new flowtrack mountain bike trails at this reserve located a few miles east of Harbor Springs. This reserve also includes 4.5 miles of hiking trails that follow the old golf cart path from this property that was once a golf course. In addition, the property features a pond, a barrier-free walking labyrinth, and exceptional night sky viewing opportunities!

9. Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail
landtrust.org/explore/don-eileen-klein-nature-trail 

Also in June 2024, we partnered with the City of East Jordan and numerous donors to complete this wonderful nearly half-mile of Universally Accessible trail just outside of East Jordan. The trail connects to the existing trail at the Rogers Family Homestead Nature Preserve and is walkable from downtown East Jordan.

HeadWaters Land Conservancy

Finally, Julie Rubsam, executive director of HeadWaters Land Conservancy, tells us what’s new this spring on the eastern side of the Mitten.

10. Lake Avalon Nature Preserve
headwatersconservancy.org/lake-avalon-nature-preserve

This 20-acre preserve features a peaceful figure-eight trail just over half a mile long through a mixed hardwood forest. Highlights include towering red oaks and pines, and a short spur to a 150-year-old red oak tree. New site enhancements, including signage and parking, make this an easy, family-friendly outing.

11. Hess Nature Preserve
headwatersconservancy.org/hess-preserve

A 12-acre gem along Lake Huron’s shoreline, Hess offers 600 feet of frontage and rare habitats like interdunal wetlands and coastal fens. A 175-foot boardwalk lets visitors access the beach while protecting sensitive ecosystems. Best for hiking and birdwatching, but may be wet in spring or after heavy rain.

[Note from the editor: In March, HeadWaters announced the successful completion of the first acquisition, a 40-acre property, of their Hess Nature Preserve Expansion Project. “HeadWaters’ goal is to acquire an additional 200 acres of high-priority land adjacent to the existing preserve. Long-term plans for the newly acquired property include habitat restoration, wetland enhancement where needed, and the creation of low-impact trails and boardwalks to connect it to the existing trail system at Hess Nature Preserve,” according to their website.]

12. Big Lake Preserve
headwatersconservancy.org/big-lake-preserve

A quiet 0.1-mile trail meanders through peaceful pine stands and wetlands, offering a perfect place for reflection and solitude away from the crowds. We’re also using this time to update signage, trail maps, and improve accessibility and safety across our preserves.