Welcome to Let’s Go on a Hike! Here I’ll have weekly reviews on hikes throughout Michigan (and maybe beyond). Questions like: Can I trail run this path? How much parking is available? How difficult is this trail? and many more will be answered!
The Basics
To get to the Eben Ice Caves, it’s about 3 miles round trip. We hiked a total of almost 3.5 miles due to exploring a little further past the ice caves. The trail has pretty decent elevation change, with a steep hike at the end to reach the ice caves. Also be aware that there are gaps in the trail that involve you needing to make a small jump or large step over a creek.
The trail head is located off of Frey Rd. Get to Eben Junction by taking M-94 to Eben Road, turn on Eben Road to head north, then about 1.5 miles down Eben Rd turn right onto Frey Road and at the end of the road is a private property that the owners allow hikers to hike through to get to the caves. They do not charge any fee but do have a trailer set up with hot cocoa, hot dogs, and other snacks so bring your cash to grab a little snack to say thank you for them allowing us to use their land!
The trail starts initially in open land, crossing the field of private property, then goes into a forest. Parking is available right at the property in a small lot, though this often gets filled very quickly on the weekend and other popular days. You can park along the road as well. The trail is wide enough for 2 people, sometimes 3, sometimes just 1. Dogs are allowed (as long as they are leashed). There is no entrance fee.
To Note: these ice caves are formed due to the ground being very porous in this area, causing water to seep out during late fall and then freeze into winter time. These are not waterfalls that you can see again in the summer time.
The Highlights
Ice caves in Michigan!!! How neat is that?!
A super cool trail, beautiful forest, rock formations, and river. The ice caves are incredibly cool.
The Warnings
These are ice caves so it’s VERY slick. We wore ice spikes and were more than fine walking on the ice, others that we saw that didn’t have ice spikes, were falling all over the place. So I highly recommend ice spikes (even for just the hike).
The hike has a few spots that require you to jump or take a large step over an opening for a creek, it’s not a long fall or anything but if you were to step in the creek you’d probably have a very wet foot and pant leg.
Summary
Yes
Children (5-7+)
Dogs (leashed)
Parking
Restroom (outhouses)
No
Entrance Fee
Camping
Trail Running
Water
