Palmer Woods Trail System Complete

April 25, 2026

Ready to make new tracks this spring? Earlier this month, the Leelanau Conservancy completed a new multi-use trail system at Palmer Woods Forest Reserve near Maple City. It’s taken a long time—eight years, to be exact—to construct the 42 miles of pathways, done in phases since 2018. This includes 27 miles of mountain bike trails (made primarily of flow trails but also with “technical rock sections and dirt jump features on more advanced routes,” per the conservancy) and 15 miles of hiking trails. Outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes will find trails up their alley, whether they are low-impact hikers, intermediate bikers, or backcountry explorers. New trail signage is also being installed to help users find their way. Check out maps, accessibility, trail conditions, and more at leelanauconservancy.org/naturalarea/palmer-woods-forest-reserve.

Photo by Drew Palmer