Looking to get outdoors but live in the Metro-Detroit area? There’s still lots of great nature around! Read on for 15 trails for hiking near Detroit! All of these hiking trails near Detroit are about 30 minutes or less from downtown!
Want to explore other trails throughout Michigan? Here’s the four best hikes in Michigan and as a previous Traverse City resident, here’s my Local’s Guide to Hiking in Traverse City!
Starting out with the trail in the city
Belle Isle Lighthouse Loop 2.1 miles | Belle Isle State Park in Detroit
Firstly, the state park in the city! Head across the bridge to hike this trail on the east end of the island. Capture views of Canada, the Detroit River, and the Blue Heron Lagoon.
Hiking Near Detroit: West
Newburgh Lake Trail Loop 3.2 miles | Hines Parkway in Livonia
A free, easy to access trail in Hines Park. Ample parking available at Newburgh Lake parking lot. Further, this is a partially paved, partially dirt trail.
Lake Loop Trail 1 mile – 5+ miles | Maybury State Park in Northville
Specifically for this trail you must have a Michigan State Park Recreation Pass to enter. There is ample parking at the horse stables parking lot, additional park at other trail heads. This trail is mainly dirt with a few boardwalks.
Heritage Park Loop 1-5 miles | Heritage Park in Farmington Hills
A free, easy to access trail for hiking near Detroit! Some portions are paved, some are dirt! This trail often features lots of wildlife like deer and turkeys. Great trail for trail running with numerous loops, also family friendly with a good portion of trails paved or gravel.
Carpenter Lake Loop 1.3 miles | Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve in Southfield
A free, easy to access trail in Farmington Hills. This trail is partially paved, at the beginning of the trail, and then leads to a dirt trail.
Riverside Trail 2.4 miles | Ford Field Park in Dearborn
A free, and easy to access trail that begins near Ford Field Park in Dearborn, MI. This trail is a mainly dirt trail and located close to downtown Dearborn.
Lower Rouge Trail 1-6 miles | Lower Rouge Parkway in Canton
A free, and easy to access trail in the Lower Rouge Parkway. This is a mainly dirt/gravel trail. There are various trailheads to park at depending on where in the loop you wish to start!
Hiking Near Detroit: North
EL Johnson Loop 1 mile | EL Johnson Nature Center Bloomfield Hills
A free, and easy to access trail in 40-acres of nature preserve and wetlands. A trail mainly consisting of mulch/dirt, with boardwalks throughout. In addition, there are numerous other mini-trails to venture on. However, dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Sugar Maple/Blackbird Loop 1.7 miles | Lloyd Stage Nature Center Troy
A free, and easy to access trail on 70-acres of nature preserve! You’ll head through forest and wetlands so have a good pair of boots on, the trail features dirt and boardwalks. Given that dogs are not allowed on this trail, make sure you leave your pups at home.
Linden Park Trail 1.5 miles | Linden Park Birmingham
A free and easy to access trail that runs alone the River Rouge. A partially mulched, partially dirt trail with no elevation change makes this a perfect trail to head to on a Sunday morning!
Lake St. Clair Loop 3.5 miles | Lake St. Clair Metropark Lake St. Clair
Specifically for this trail you must have a Huron-Clinton Metropark pass to enter. This is an excellent accessible, paved trail that runs along the marina and Lake St. Clair! Restrooms can be found along this route!
Hiking Near Detroit: Downriver
Humbug Marsh Loop 2.5 miles | Detroit International Wildlife Refuge Trenton
A free, and easy to access trail running along the Detroit River with views of Humbug Island. This trail is mainly dirt with some mulch and gravel portions. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Long Bark Trail 2.3 miles | Oakwoods Metropark New Boston
Specifically for this trail you must have a Huron-Clinton Metropark pass to enter. In short, this is beautiful and easy route through the woods and along the Huron River. In addition, this trail is primarily dirt and dogs are not allowed.
Cherry Island Marsh Trail 1.6 miles | Lake Erie Metropark Rockwood
Specifically for this trail you must have a Huron-Clinton Metropark pass to enter. Overall this is a beautiful trail running along the north end of Lake Erie that consists of dirt and boardwalks. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Woods Creek Rustic Trail 3.1 miles | Lower Huron Metropark Van Buren
Specifically for this trail you must have a Huron-Clinton Metropark pass to enter. A stunning route that starts along the Huron river and then loops back! This is a mainly dirt trail with a minor amount of elevation gain.
Thanks for the list. Any good recommendations for overnight backpacking in the area?
Glad it was helpful! Pinckney Recreation Area has excellent loops for backpacking! Not quite 30minutes from Detroit, but just under a hour away from downtown makes it a totally reasonable weekend trip!