Spectacular Hikes in Michigan Guaranteed to Make Your Kids Fall in Love with Hiking
Best Kid-friendly Hikes in Michigan for Families
It’s probably comes as no surprise that our Great Lakes state has some epic hikes all across it’s miles of wooded trails and shorelines in both the Upper and Lower Peninsula. Our family loves to explore our beautiful state while hiking the trails. If you desire to get outside more with your children, hiking is a relatively inexpensive past time as well as wonderful exercise for the entire family.
If your kids aren’t quite sold on going hiking, here are a bunch of hikes in Michigan that will make them fall in love with hiking. From hidden gems, unique hikes and unmissable stops they are the perfect additions for a Michigan Day Trip with your kids or even a summer weekend getaway.
Reward Spots
When creating my list of top family-friendly hikes, there were a couple key components that children love while hiking, and as a parent I desire.
1. Reward spots - Unique features such as lakes, sand dunes, creeks, bridges, stair climbs, overlooks, downed logs.
2. Good signage
3. Reasonable distance or loops
4. Safe area
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Choosing a hike that children will enjoy is essential when you’re attempting to foster a love for hiking. Select locations that have fun features or reward spots. Anything that inspires outdoor nature play or gives the hike purpose is ideal. Some examples include: sand dunes, overlooks, stair climbs, bridges, creeks, lakes, or playgrounds. Loop trails are also nice since the entire trail is exciting and new. No matter the season whether its fall, summer or winter these hikes are lovely in all weather.
Enjoy this list as you head outside and make memories adventuring on our favorite Michigan hikes for families.
Empire Bluff Trail | Empire
Address Empire Bluff Trail, Honor, MI 49640
Distance 1.5 mile, Out and Back Trail
Cost $25 National Shoreline Parks Pass
Restrooms Yes, Vault toilet is located at the trailhead parking lot
Dog Friendly Yes, dogs are allowed on a leash
Empire Bluff Trail Overlook
Picture perfect views from atop the bluff feature turquoise blue waters and skies, which rival the Caribbean for clarity and color. Arguably one of the most beautiful trails in the entire state, which is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire Bluff Trail is a must visit spot.
At a nice distance of 1.5 miles total, we found even little hikers can manage this hike. Most of hike is through the woods with a gradual incline. At the bluff it opens up and rewards you with far reaching views a top the dunes. A boardwalk, benches a bowl shaped dune blow out are fun features at the top.
TIP A short distance past the benches, hike past where most people stop to a bowl shaped dune blow out, which was perfect for my kids to run up and down and isn’t as steep as the large dune climbs.
Presque Isle River Waterfall Loop | Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Address S Boundary Rd, Wakefield, MI 49968
Take Hwy 519 from Wakefield to Presque Isle Rd. Follow the road straight until South Boundary Rd, then turn right. The parking lot by the trailhead is just over the river.
Distance 2.3 Mile Loop Trail
Cost $10.00
Restrooms The trailhead has restrooms and a parking lot
Dogs Yes, dogs are allowed on a 6 ft leash.
Every Michigander needs to experience the beauty and wildness of the Upper Peninsula. If you visit Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park this hike offers not one, not two, but three waterfalls to view. Kids will love the excitement of viewing these falls. Located on the western edge of the park, a series of three majestic waterfalls can be seen along the Presque Isle River. The Nawadha, Manido, and Manabezho Falls are situated along the hike. This hike does have a lot of steps and can be quite buggy depending on the time of year, so bring extra bug spray. The trail is well marked with signage so you won’t get lost.
Lost Lake & Island Loop Trail | Ludington
Address 8800 W. M-116. Ludington MI, 49431
Trailhead: Hamlin Lake in Ludington State Park, next to the playground. Parking is available at Hamlin Park.
Distance: 2.1 miles, loop
Cost: $11.00 Michigan State Daily Park Pass, $14.00 yearly Recreation Passport
Restrooms Available at the concession stand at Hamlin Lake
Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a leash.
Lost Island Lake Trail at Ludington State Park
With water views around each turn, staircases, bridges and even a sand dune to run down, the Lost Island Lake Trail is one of the prettiest hikes in the entire park. At a reasonable 2.1 mile loop trail, it’s perfect for all ages. Although there are many superb hikes to choose from at this popular Michigan state park with 21 miles of hiking trails at Ludington State Park, this hike is our personal favorite. I advise hiking clockwise for the best sequence and stunning views. This trail has clear trail markers and signage, plus benches for resting along the route. Additionally this state park has camping, here is a complete guide for camping at Ludington State Park.
The Ledges Hike | Grand Ledge
Address 100 Fitzgerald Park Dr, Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Distance 2.5 miles
Cost Daily Pass $3.00 residents/$5.00 non residents
Restrooms Yes, restrooms are available
Dog-Friendly Yes
The Ledges Hike
What a trail! This gem of a hike is one of the best in Lower Michigan with its spectacular sandstone cliffs and ledges. Fitzgerald Park is home of the Ledges of Grand Ledge, nearby the city of Lansing. A 2.5 mile trail is a wonderful hike for children with reward spots and unique features from the bridge, river views, and rocky cliff faces. As an added bonus the park also has a large modern playground, restrooms, ball fields and an additional 5 miles of hiking trails. Across the way, you can sometimes spot rock climbers across the river scaling the cliffs at Oak Park.
Narnia Trail (Bush Bay Hiking Trail) | Cedarville
Narnia Trail in Cedarville
Address It’s a bit tricky to locate, but totally worth it. Here’s a Google Map Pin to aid in finding the parking lot and trail head or check out this detailed guide.
Distance 2.1 miles, out and back
Cost None
Restrooms No restrooms available
Dog-friendly Yes and No, check out this guide for the exact details of where you can bring your pup.
Your child will seamlessly blend imagination to the natural beauty along the trail as you explore this magical fairy tale hike, reminiscent of the childhood story of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The actual name of this gorgeous trail is the Bush Bay Hiking Trail in Cedarville, Michigan. It has been dubbed the Narnia Trail because of the lamp post found along the path. It is only about 30 minutes from St. Ignace and Mackinaw in the Upper Peninsula. Large moss covered boulders, sheltered coves, colorful mushrooms and a lamppost are just some of the unique features that children will adore along this path.
Mt. Pishgah Dune Boardwalk Trail | Holland
Address 2280 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland MI 49424
Distance 0.5 miles, out and back
Cost: None
Restrooms Nearby restrooms can be found at Holland State Park
Dog Friendly No, Dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk trail
Mt. Pishgah Dune Boardwalk Trail
Kids love a good challenge, and this short albeit steep stair climb proves to be just that. Scale the 200 plus stairs so you can earn a view of Lake Michigan, including the lighthouse, at the top. Finish off your adventure with ice cream at the nearby General Store and take a refreshing dip in the shores of Lake Michigan at Ottawa Beach. Extend your stay by camping at Holland State Park, which is our families favorite way to make the most of our time.
Holland is full of attractions including Window on the Waterfront, Tunnel Park, and Nelis’ Dutch Village. We guarantee you won’t tire of exploring this area. To help you choose what to do check out the Top 10 Thing to Do in Holland, Michigan for Families.
Gnome Hunt at Pond Hill Farm | Harbor Springs
Address 5699 S Lake Shore Drive Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Trailhead begins at Pond Hill Farm near the play yard
Distance 1.5 miles
Cost None
Restrooms Yes , restrooms can be found at Pond Hill Farm
Dog- Friendly Yes, dogs must be leashed.
Spend the day outside with your family working together to locate 12 wooded gnome houses along the wooded path, each one uniquely crafted. Record each letter and solve the code for a surprise treat at the end. Our kids love a challenge, especially while hiking and this proved to be a lovely adventure. The trail takes you through the woods, along open fields, besides a large pond and over a few hill inclines.
Gnome Hunt in Harbor Springs
Besides the gnome hike trail, you can spend hours enjoying the farm activities, live band, hayrides, and play yard. It’s hard to believe but a winery, brewery, cafe and market can all be enjoyed on this beautiful 238 acre property. Read about 12 Things to Do at Pond Hill Farm.
Closing Thoughts
If your goal is to get outside and hike more with your family, then this is the best list of Michigan hikes you need to check out and add to your bucket list. If you’re new to hiking, check out Hiking with Kids : Tips and Packing List for helpful items that make hiking manageable for your family.
With the beauty of the Great Lakes state Michigan has so many great activities and outdoor adventures for families. Follow Discovering Anew for more Michigan family travel, hiking guides, and camping reviews. Don’t lose this post, save and pin for your next hiking adventure. Please share what kid-friendly hikes in Michigan are your favorites?
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