7 Stunning Michigan Winter Day Hikes
December 17 2016
Chilly temperatures and icy weather doesn’t mean you have to stay inside. Michigan’s beautiful outdoors is just as stunning with a fresh coat of fallen snow, and bundling up in your winter gear for a day hike is the perfect way to enjoy it. The best part? Since you’re only hiking for a little while during the day there’s plenty of time to warm up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate when you’re all done – no pitching a tent required. We’ve put together a list of seven amazing winter day hikes, all with varying mileage and location. Don’t let the cold keep you locked away – get out there and experience Michigan’s amazing winter wonderland firsthand!
1. Grand Rivers Edge Trail
This paved, 5.4 mile trail offers a fun alternative to traditional woodsy-hiking. It winds through downtown Grand Rapids along the banks of Grand River, offering you an interesting tour of the city.
This paved, 5.4 mile trail offers a fun alternative to traditional woodsy-hiking. It winds through downtown Grand Rapids along the banks of Grand River, offering you an interesting tour of the city.
2. Port Crescent State Park
Walk along the 3 miles of Saginaw Bay’s shoreline and take in the icy lake views at this beautiful state park get away. Interested in more than a day trip? They have off-season rates for their camper-cabin, and you can also participate in cross-country skiing!
3.White Pine Trail
This lengthy trail stretches from Grand Rapids to Cadillac, and winds through many of the surrounding communities as it used to be a railroad. Perfect for picking and choosing a section of trail to check out in a neighboring city you might not have visited!
4. Stony Creek Metropark
This dog-friendly park gives you an “up north” vibe without leaving the suburbs of the Lower Peninsula. The park has a total of 4, 461 acres of usable space, and you can participate in activities like ice skating, snowkiting, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
This dog-friendly park gives you an “up north” vibe without leaving the suburbs of the Lower Peninsula. The park has a total of 4, 461 acres of usable space, and you can participate in activities like ice skating, snowkiting, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
5. Pictured Rocks
Pictured Rocks isn’t just a destination for the warmer months of the year. Visit the national lakeshore during Michigan’s winter to see stunning ice and snowscapes, and enjoy a hike along one of their countless trails.
Pictured Rocks isn’t just a destination for the warmer months of the year. Visit the national lakeshore during Michigan’s winter to see stunning ice and snowscapes, and enjoy a hike along one of their countless trails.
6. Holiday Nature Preserve
The Holiday Nature Preserve association puts on a free 60-90 minute guided walk at a leisurely pace through the Holiday Nature Preserve at the Ellsworth entrance on December 10th at 12 PM. What better way to enjoy a day in a winter wonderland!
7. Kensington Metropark
Kensington Metropark offers a variety of winter activities to patrons, including ice fishing and ice skating. What’s more, their stunning wooded trails surrounding Kent Lake make for excellent winter day hiking.
Image Credit: https://footsorefotography.smugmug.com/Other/Pictured-Rocks-National
1 comment
Beautiful beaches