Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real…
Metro Detroit Family Hiking Guide

November 17th is National Take A Hike Day and the perfect excuse to bundle up and hit the hiking trails all throughout Metro Detroit. With nature all around, there are endless things to discover, talk about or just enjoy some exercise together. Happy trails!
Huron Meadows Metropark Trail (11 miles) – Brighton
8765 Hammel Road, Brighton, MI 48116
Location Notes: Natural trail, restrooms
Island Lake Trail (4 miles) – Brighton
6301 Kensington Rd, Brighton MI, 48116
Location Notes: Paved trail
Lake Erie Metropark Trail (3 miles) – Brownstown
32481 W. Jefferson, Brownstown MI 48173
Location Notes: Paved, restrooms, metropark has a Lake Erie Marshlands Museum.
Lower Rouge River Recreation Trails (4 miles) – Canton
1150 S Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI 48188
Location Notes: Gravel trail
Proud Lake Recreation Area (6 miles) – Commerce
3500 N. Wixom Road, Commerce Twp. MI, 48382
Location Notes: Nature trail, restroom
Hines Drive (19.5 miles) – Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Westland, Livonia & Northville
33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, MI 48185 (multiple parking lots along route)
Location Notes: Paved
Dequindre Cut (2 miles) – Detroit
1799 Wilkins St, Detroit, MI 48207
Location Notes: Paved trail
Detroit Riverwalk (3.5 miles) – Detroit
1801 Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207
Location Notes: Paved
Heritage Park (4.5 miles) – Farmington Hills
24915 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Location Notes: Paved + natural trail, nature center, playground and splash pad.
Lake St. Clair Metropark Trail (3 miles) – Harrison Township
31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township MI 48045
Location Notes: Paved, restrooms, metropark has a nature center.
Penosha Trail (5 miles) – Howell
6360 Chilson Rd, Howell, MI 48843
Location Notes: Nature trail, restrooms
Kensington Metropark Trail (8.5 miles) – Milford
4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48380
Location Notes: Paved, restrooms, metropark has a nature center and farm center.
Oakwoods Metropark Trail (15 miles) – New Boston
32911 Willow Road, New Boston, MI 48164
Location Notes: Paved and natural trail (multiple routes), restrooms, metropark has a nature center.
Bennett Arboretum (2 miles) – Northville
44155 Deep Hollow Cir, Northville, MI 48168
Location Notes: Nature trail
Maybury State Park Trail (6 miles) – Northville
20145 Beck Road, Northville MI, 48167
Location Notes: Nature trail
1335 Joslyn Rd, Lake Orion, MI 48360
Location Notes: Paved and natural surface
Paint Creek Trail (8.9 miles) – Rochester & Lake Orion
400 Sixth Street, Rochester, Michigan, 48307
Location Notes: Surfaced with crushed limestone, seasonally opened restrooms, Paint Creek Cider Mill is accessible halfway through the trail.
Clinton River Trail (16 miles) – Rochester Hills, Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, Auburn Hills
786 Orchard Lake Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341
Location Notes: Paved and natural surface
Macomb Orchard Trail (23 miles) – Rochester, Washington, Romeo, Armada & Richmond
52999 Dequindre Rd, Rochester, MI 48307
Location Notes: Paved
Stony Creek Metropark Trail (6 miles) – Shelby Township
4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township, MI 48316
Location Notes: Paved and natural trail (multiple routes), restrooms, metropark has a nature center.
Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve Loop (1 miles) – Southfield
27101 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48033
Location Notes: Nature trail
West Bloomfield Trail (7 miles) – West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor & Sylvan Lake
2294 Woodrow Wilson, West Bloomfield, MI 48324
Location Notes: Surfaced with crushed gravel, seasonally portable restrooms, access point at West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve
Cedar Creek Trail (2.75 miles) – White Lake
5200 Highland Road, White Lake MI, 48383
Location Notes: Nature trail
Pontiac Lake Recreation Trail (8.8 miles) – Waterford
7800 Gale Road, Waterford MI, 48327
Location Notes: Nature trail, restrooms
Make family time more fun, sign up for The YMCA’s Y170 Challenge. Track 170 minutes of movement on the FREE app each week and be entered to win prizes throughout the year. It’s an easy way to engage your kids and promote wellness at home. You do not need to be a member of The YMCA to participate.
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About Carrie Budzinski
Carrie Budzinski is the Vice President of LittleGuide Detroit. She grew up in Livonia and Detroit and continues to live life in both cities. Carrie loves exploring the city and finding hidden gems in the suburbs..
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