The Traverse City area offers hundreds of hiking trails, some easy and great for the family and some that only an experienced hiker should take. There are trails that are stroller friendly, bike friendly and some that offer accessibility options.
It would be impossible to list all of the available trails in the area, so we are going to share some of our favorites as a family and some that were part of Patrick’s childhood. All worth visiting.
Most of the trails are dog friendly on a leash and offer parking. Many are accessible, have picnic areas and restrooms. Almost all of the trails are family and stroller friendly. You can visit the websites by clicking on the highlight text in this article for more information about the trails and for trail maps.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
We will start with the most well known and the place that Good Morning America viewers voted as “The Most Beautiful Place in America” – the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The dunes are a place you want to plan to spend the day exploring. Sleeping bear offers about 100 miles of trails. There are 13 trails that are maintained including in the winter for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Of course you must climb the dunes and then run or roll back down, a favorite when Patrick was a young child and still a favorite today. There were many school field trips I chaperoned and chased kids up that hill. Before leaving make sure to drive the Pierce Stocking Drive and stop at all the lookouts along the way. The picture of Patrick, Lauren and the kids on this website was taken at one of those lookouts.
Boardman River Nature Center
The Nature Center calls itself the gateway to the Natural World. It is run by the Grand Traverse Conservation District and offers exhibits and there is a trailhead for a family friendly hike at the center. There is also the newly opened Nature Playscape behind the Center that offers a natural, free-play area. Much of the play area is ADA accessible. Beside the trailhead at the center there are multiple trailheads for the Board River trails further down Cass Road and also on Keystone and Beitner Roads.
Brown Bridge Quiet Area
Brown Bridge Quiet Area is also located on the Boardman River about 10 miles south of town in what the locals refer to as the Forest Lakes Area. When the kids were younger there was a dam and there was a pond. In 2012 the Brown Bridge Dam was removed and changed the Quiet Area forever. The natural course of the Boardman River returned and now on many of the pathways you are walking on what was once the bed of the pond.
You can access the approximately 6 miles of trails from numerous trailheads on both sides of the river. Some of the trails offer spectacular views of the valley and others take you through forests and meadows. You can also canoe and kayak in this area of the trail. We had a lot of fun when the kids were younger there and now it is still a favorite for walking or kayaking.
Betsie Valley Trail
Betsie Valley Trail is in Benzie County and its 22 miles runs from Frankfort to Thompsonville. The trail was built on the bed of the Ann Arbor Railroad. Betsie Valley trail is popular with walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The trail of almost 7 miles starting in Frankfort is great for wheelchairs.
Betsie Valley Trail passes through small towns with restaurants, marshes, along Crystal Lake and periodic views of the Betsie River. Bike rentals are available at Crystal Mountain Resort or in Frankfort, Beulah or Elberta.
TART Trail
TART Trail is network of trails in the greater Traverse region and stands for Traverse Area Recreation Trail. This is not just one long trail, it includes several multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties.
We always enjoyed the Leelanau Trail that is paved and connects Traverse City and Suttons Bay. We never walked the entire 17 miles but would walk for a bit and turn back to head where we started from. There is caboose on the way that is a nod towards the rail bed the trail is built on. Parts of the Leelanau Trail are groomed and maintained for winter activities.
Another part of the trail that we always loved was the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. Up until recently the trail went from Medalie Park on Airport Road along the east side of Boardman Lake to Hull park by the Library and through the railroad trestle up to 10th street on the west side of Boardman Lake. The loop has been finished and now has an impressive boardwalk over Boardman Lake
A couple of years ago Aunt Danielle and some friends came north with the bikes. They road both the Betsie Valley Trail and numerous trails in the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore.
The video below is of the Leelanau Trail starting at Cherry Bend Road and heading towards Suttons Bay.
Dyer Lake Vacation Home is perfect to unwind and relax but still close to the trails, wineries, restaurants and more! Ready to book your stay? Book direct and save or you can book through Airbnb if you prefer.