Eagle MichiganHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Eagle, Michigan.
1. Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail
MULTI-COUNTY RAIL TRAIL
The Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail runs through several mid-Michigan communities, offering a scenic journey across fields, woodlands, and waterways. This converted rail-trail is popular among hikers, cyclists, and birdwatchers seeking flat, accessible terrain. Trailheads are found in towns like Ovid, making it a convenient starting point for exploring the rural landscape.
2. Lansing River Trail
URBAN RIVER HIKING
The Lansing River Trail meanders through parks, nature centers, and the heart of Lansing, providing miles of paved pathway along the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers. This urban trail is perfect for hikers who enjoy water views, city parks, and easy access to cultural sites. Wildlife spotting is common even near downtown, offering a refreshing escape within the city limits.
3. Sleepy Hollow State Park Trails
LAKESIDE NATURE TRAILS
Sleepy Hollow State Park features over 16 miles of trails winding around Lake Ovid and through rolling meadows and forests. Hikers can explore diverse habitats, view abundant wildlife, and enjoy panoramic lake vistas year-round. This park is a favorite for nature lovers seeking tranquility and varied terrain.
4. Rose Lake Wildlife Area Trails
WILDLIFE VIEWING WALKS
The Rose Lake Wildlife Area offers a network of quiet trails through forests, wetlands, and open fields, prized for birding and wildlife observation. Hikers may encounter deer, waterfowl, and songbirds while walking peaceful paths. This area provides a serene, natural escape northeast of Lansing.
5. Hawk Island Park Trail
FAMILY-FRIENDLY CITY PARK
Hawk Island Park features a paved multi-use trail that loops around a scenic lake, perfect for hikers of all ages and abilities. Picnic spots, playgrounds, and water features make this a popular destination for families seeking a short, accessible outdoor walk. The trail offers easy access to recreational amenities within the city.
6. Riverbend Natural Area
PEACEFUL NATURE PRESERVE
Riverbend Natural Area provides quiet wooded trails along the Looking Glass River, ideal for a peaceful hike close to the small town of DeWitt. The well-maintained paths offer opportunities for birdwatching, quiet reflection, and riverside scenic views. This preserve is a hidden gem for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
7. Crow's Nest / Tallmadge Woods Trail
SCENIC FOREST LOOP
The Crow's Nest / Tallmadge Woods Trail winds through mature hardwood forests, leading hikers to high bluffs with impressive views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding landscape. The terrain is moderately challenging with rewarding overlooks. This trail is especially popular with those seeking a mix of elevation and lake vistas.
8. Hickory Ridge Hike and Ski Trail
ALL-SEASON ADVENTURE
Hickory Ridge Hike and Ski Trail offers miles of wooded paths for hiking, mountain biking, and skiing in the Marquette area. The trail system traverses rolling terrain, with sections through quiet forests and scenic clearings. Well-marked routes make it suitable for both casual and experienced hikers.
9. Eagle Run Cross-Country Ski and Hiking Trail
RIVERSIDE FOREST HIKE
Eagle Run Cross-Country Ski and Hiking Trail follows the south shore of the Lower Au Sable River, with scenic loop trails for hiking and skiing. Hikers enjoy peaceful forest settings and river views, with plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to moderate, making it accessible for most outdoor enthusiasts.
10. Greenstone Ridge Trail
ISLAND WILDERNESS TREK
The Greenstone Ridge Trail stretches 43 miles across Isle Royale National Park, offering a challenging multi-day hike through pristine forests and over granite ridges. Hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Superior, dense woodlands, and occasional wildlife sightings including moose. The remote setting requires careful planning but offers true wilderness adventure.
11. Best Michigan Hiking
MICHIGAN'S TOP HIKES
Best Michigan Hiking encompasses a variety of trails that highlight the state's diverse natural beauty, from the wild Upper Peninsula to scenic Lower Peninsula lakeshores. Hikers can explore dense forests, dramatic dunes, tranquil inland lakes, and sweeping river valleys. Whether seeking short family walks or rugged backcountry adventures, Michigan delivers some of the Midwest's most rewarding hiking experiences.
12. Michigan Shoreline Hiking
COASTAL BEACH TRAILS
Michigan Shoreline Hiking offers numerous trails along the state's iconic Great Lakes, taking hikers across sandy beaches, high dunes, and rocky bluffs. From Pictured Rocks to Sleeping Bear Dunes, these routes provide spectacular water views and access to pristine stretches of wilderness coastline. Beach and coastal hikes are perfect for those who love sun, sand, and freshwater vistas.
13. Michigan Hidden Hiking Gems
SECLUDED & WILDLIFE TRAILS
Michigan Hidden Hiking Gems represent those lesser-known trails ideal for solitude and wildlife observation, offering a peaceful atmosphere away from crowded paths. Many of these hikes wind through remote forests, wetlands, and nature preserves, making them attractive to birdwatchers and nature photographers. Seclusion and natural diversity define Michigan's best off-the-beaten-path hiking destinations.
14. Michigan Autumn Hiking
FALL FOLIAGE TRAILS
Michigan Autumn Hiking showcases the vibrant fall colors that blanket the state each year, with scenic trails passing through forests ablaze with reds, oranges, and yellows. Popular destinations feature hardwood forests and ridge overlooks that offer panoramic foliage views. Autumn is the ideal season for hikers seeking crisp air and breathtaking scenery.
15. Ottawa National Forest
VAST FORESTED TRAILS
Ottawa National Forest spans nearly one million acres in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, boasting hundreds of miles of hiking trails through dense woodlands, wetlands, and alongside crystal-clear streams. Adventurers can enjoy everything from short interpretive loops to multi-day wilderness treks. This forest is a haven for those seeking rugged terrain, backcountry solitude, and incredible natural beauty.