Top Family Hikes in the Woods
Family friendly trails in the woods are abundant in our region. To be a “family friendly hike in the woods” all trails must be well marked, easy to access, and beginner to easy/moderate in difficulty. Many of these trails also have a variety of loop combinations that allow you to get in a hike in well under two hours.
Top hikes in the woods:
If you are looking to “get back to nature” for half a day (or less) these are great family hiking options in the woods you will surly enjoy.
- Arcadia Dunes Trail Network
- Betsie River Pathway
- Big M Recreation Area
- Carl T. Johnson/Mitchell State Park
- Coolbough Nature Area
- Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary
- Lake Ann Pathway
- Lake Michigan Recreation Area
- Mackenzie Trail
- Orchard Beach State Park
The “Essential 9”
Day-Hike Checklist
- Navigation (compass or gps)
- Sun Protection
- Insulation/layered clothing
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
- First Aid Kit
- Waterproof Matches or Fire starter
- Multi-tool
- Nutrition
- HYDRATION!
Access the Loop, Overnight & Endurance Trail Networks
Click on a marker to select and learn more about the trail.
Arcadia Dunes Trail Networks
Big M Recreation Area
Betsie River Pathway
Carl T Johnson/Mitchell State Park
Lake Ann Pathway
Lake Michigan Recreation area
Mackenzie Trail
Orchard Beach State Park
Coolbough Nature Area
Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary
Unplug. Explore. Michigan's Great Outdoors.
The Michigan's Great Outdoors collaborative consists of five Northern Michigan counties all working together to promote tourism in the region. With so many hiking, biking, winter sports, and ORV trails in the region that dynamically connect these counties, this site is devoted to educate the first-time visitor to the region looking to explore the great outdoors for the first time. We welcome you to browse this site and explore all this region has to offer.
