There are so many things to do throughout Traverse City! One inexpensive and fun activity to do is jump on one of the many family friend hikes in Traverse City! From paved trails, to unpaved, there’s something for everyone and many are great for families and kids of all ages! Read on for some of the best family friendly hikes in Traverse City!
Looking for more adventurous trails? Head to my favorite trails in Traverse City or check out my all-encompassing guide to trails in and around Traverse City.
Paved Family Friendly Hikes in Traverse City
Whether you’re looking for the perfect path to push a stroller down, ride some bikes, or just need a more stable, and flat ground. There are numerous paved family friendly hikes throughout Traverse City.
Boardman Lake Loop
A 4 mile loop trail around Boardman Lake which features a paved trail, boardwalks, and a very short gravel section. This is one of my favorite trail’s for evening bike rides, a nice jog, or walk around the picturesque Boardman Lake.
Leelanau Trail
Part of the TART trail systems, this 17 mile long flat trail runs from Traverse City up to Suttons Bay. A relatively flat trail that is perfect for biking, walking, pushing a stroller, rollerblading, and more. Click here for your trail map of Leelanau Trail. You can access this trail from four different trail heads (south to north):
- Cherry Bend Road (additional parking located at Leelanau Studios)
- Fouch Road
- Shady Lane
- 4th St (Sutton’s Bay)
TART Trail
A flat trail that stretched across Traverse City from the East Bay to the West Bay. Click here for the perfect map of the TART trail . There are numerous spots to access this trail from:
Central Area on the Trail
- Traverse City Main Library/Hull Park – off of Woodmere Ave
- Can head east or west on the TART trail
- Clinch Park/Downtown Marina – off of US-31/Parkway
West Area on the Trail
- Darrow Park – off of M-22/Parkway
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
An over 20 mile trail spanning almost the entire length of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This trail can be accessed from numerous locations throughout the trail. Though the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trails is one of many family friendly hikes in Traverse City, it does contain some steep grades throughout the trail that may not be appropriate for young bikers.
Trail Heads (South to North):
- Bar Lake Road Trail Head (outhouse, ample parking)
- Pierce Stocking Drive Trail Head (located right before the entrance of the scenic drive, two outhouses, ample parking)
- Glen Haven Trail Head (located next to the maritime museum, outhouses, ample parking, drinking water)
- Crystal River Trail Head (located next to the river access for crystal river, outhouse, small parking lot)
- Bay View Trail Head (located at the same trail head for Bay View Hiking Trail)
- Point Onedia Trail Head (located right off M-22 on Point Onedia rd, outhouses, ample parking)
Bestie Valley Trail
A scenic 27-mile long trail along the Bestie River, running from Thompsonville to Beulah to Elberta to Frankfort. The path from M-115 continuing west towards Elberta and Frankfort is paved, east from that point (Beulah to Thompsonville) is gravel.
Take this path along the picturesque Crystal Lake, explore the towns of Frankfort, Beulah, Elberta, stop and enjoying numerous points of birding throughout the trail! Click here for a pdf map of the Bestie Valley Trail.
Trail Heads (West to East):
- Frankfort (downtown, 10th street – ample parking, restrooms)
- Elberta (south side of river road, additional parking available in downtown Elberta)
- River Road (about 3 miles east of Elberta – restrooms)
- Mollineaux Rd Trail Head (located on Mollineaux road, off of M-115 – ample parking, restrooms)
- Beulah Trail Head (loaded on Spring Street in down down Beulah – ample parking, restrooms, Visitor Center)
Little Traverse Wheelway
This scenic, over 20-mile trail stretches from Charlevoix to Petoskey and then extends on to Harbor Springs and Alanson. With much of the trail right on the shores of Little Traverse Bay, there’s no shortage of gorgeous views while you’re on this trail. While there are occasional points of elevation, this is an overall easy trail.
For an interactive map of the Little Traverse Wheelway click here. For a pdf map to download of the Little Traverse Wheelway click here.
Trail Heads (West to East):
- Charlevoix township hall – downtown Charlevoix (ample parking, restrooms)
- MDOT Rest Area U-31 – about 4 miles west of Charlevoix (restrooms, moderate amount of parking)
- West Park in Bay Harbor – located just north of the trail on Townline Road (ample parking, vault toilets)
Unpaved Family Friendly Hikes in Traverse City
Here are some of my favorite trails that are perfect for any age or hiking level in Traverse City.
Grand Traverse Commons
A beautiful, easy, and convenient array of trails located just behind the Grand Traverse Commons/State Hospital. These trails are perfect for beginner mountain biking or for a nice forested hike! You can easily access the trails from the Grand Traverse Commons, but parking is also available at numerous trailheads:
- Botanical Gardens
- TCAPS Administration
- Water Tower
- Munson Hospital
Boardman River Trail
Miles of trail stretching from South Airport Road down to Beitner Road. This easy trail is perfect for any skill level of hiking, and with numerous trail heads around Traverse City you can start anywhere and hike as much or little as you please! Perfect place for a family walk, and a great trail for you to bring your pup (on a 6-foot leash of course). Start at one of the many trailheads and hike as much or as little as you please (from North to South):
- YMCA South (limited parking due to sharing a lot with the YMCA center) – located off of South Airport Road
- Boardman River Nature Center – located just south of the railroad tracks on Cass Road
- Cass Road Bridge Trail Head – located just east of the Cass Road bridge
- Lone Pine (decent amount of parking) – located on the west side of Keystone Road
- Olsen Bridge (decent amount of parking) – located on the west side of Keystone Road
- Keystone Rapids (decent amount of parking) located on the east and west side of Keystone Road
Pelizzari Natural Area
A collection of short and flat easy trails perfect for young hikers can be found near the base of Old Mission Peninsula. A large parking area can be found at the trailhead located just off of M-37, on the east side of the road. The trails can be done as out-and-backs and loops!
Old Mission Lighthouse
Now head to the tip of Old Mission Peninsula to see the Old Mission Lighthouse! Located around the lighthouse are over 4 miles of easy and flat trails that frequently lead out to the Grand Traverse Bay. Perfect spot for adventures with the family!
BONUS: in summer months you can climb to the top of the lighthouse
There’s a small playground area and lots of sandy beach to rest. Head east of the lighthouse for miles of easy trails through the forested area. There are stretches of sandy and rocky beach perfect for rock hunting, skipping stones, and relaxing on the beach.
VASA Pathway
This awesome trail system features loops for a 3K, 5K, 10K, and 25K, with varying elevation on each loop you can find a trail to hike or bike for any skill level from very easy to moderate.
This trail is also groomed for XC Skiing in the winter months, for more winter hikes in Traverse City, head to my Local’s Guide on Winter Hikes in Traverse City.
For more adventure, take the connector trail from the TART trail to the VASA pathway.
Maple Bay Natural Area
A beautiful natural area with a few miles of flat, easy, forested trails. This is one of my favorite natural areas because many of the trails lead out to sandy beaches along the East Arm of the Grand Traverse Bay. These trails can be accessed right off of US-31, on the west side of the road.
The Maple Bay Farm is also located at the trailhead and has various demonstrations and events.