These 6 Must-Visit Hiking Trails In Michigan Are So Enchanting In The Fall! Take A Look!
Michigan is rich in hiking spots that are exceptionally beautiful in the fall. The piles of red and brown leaves spread all over the path that you’ll walk on makes them even more adorable. If you are one of the many who plans to explore some of the many amazing hiking trails around Michigan this fall season, this list can surely help you.
Seidman Park (8155 Conservation Road, Ada Township, MI)
The trails running through this park are unbeatable for a fall walk. It is also one of the most popular cross country ski trails. Trail lengths range from an easy quarter mile loop off the south parking lot, to roughly four miles if you follow the entire perimeter of the system. Wayfinding maps are posted at major trail intersections to help you find your way around the park. The natural-surfaced trails at Seidman are open to foot traffic and closed to bikes, motorized uses and equestrians.
Warren Woods Natural Area (Elm Valley Road, Sawyer MI)
Located 7 miles inland, this 311-acre wooded tract is a complete contrast to the state park on Lake Michigan; no towering dunes, but also no crowds, overflowing parking lots, and filled-to-capacity campgrounds. Amazingly, the natural area can be a quiet spot even at the height of the summer season when rangers are turning away visitors at the state park.
 Highbanks Trail – Huron National Forest (River Road, Oscoda MI)
Strung along the towering bluffs above the Au Sable River is the Highbanks Trail, a skiing and hiking route that was developed through the Corsair Ski Council and the Huron National Forest.
Highbanks Trail offers outstanding scenery and views, the possibility of spotting a bald eagle during the spring and summer and an opportunity to learn about the life of a logger in the 1800s at the Lumberman’s Monument. With its mostly level contour along the tops of the bluffs, this trail makes an excellent outing for children.
The entire trail is a 7-mile hike from Largo Springs to Sawmill Point, where the U.S. Forest Service maintains 17 primitive campsites and a boat launch. Built in 2001, the Sawmill trailhead allows hikers to turn the trek into an overnight adventure with an evening spent on the banks of the Au Sable River.
Indian Springs Metropark: Hike-Bike Trail (5200 Indian Trail, White Lake MI)
You can view portions of the Huron Swamp and the woods of Indian Springs by hiking, skating or pedaling the park’s paved Hike-Bike Trail. The trail is a 5-mile asphalt ribbon that extends from the Meadowlark Picnic Area to a small loop in the northeast corner of the park. The roundtrip from the picnic area is an 8-mile walk or ride.
Escarpment Trail (Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park)
The Escarpment Trail has to be the most scenic short hike in all of Michigan. Most of the trail runs high up on the rocky bluffs above the Lake of the Clouds and the Big Carp River Valley. There are panoramic views with almost every step, but you also need watch your footing because at times the trail skirts the edge of steep cliffs.
The trail begins at the Lake of the Clouds Overlook parking area and then follows the ridge east, first above the Lake and then the Carp River valley.
Rosy Mound Natural Area (13925 Lakeshore Dr, Grand Haven MI)
The most amazing view at Rosy Mound Natural Area is reached after you climb a long set of stairs to an observation deck called Dune Overlook. Below you are open and forested dunes, a small stand of white pines, a beautiful beach and Lake Michigan stretching to the horizon.
Access into Rosy Mound is strictly on foot and all the trails are either boardwalks, cement or compacted, crushed stone. Lining the trails are signs asking you not to wander off them. Nor are dogs allowed in the park. The strategy is simple; concentrate park users on a hardened, erosion-resistant surface until they reach the beach.
What do you think of these hiking trails in Michigan? Are they all worth it to visit this FALL?
BEAUTIFUL photos! WOW! I love that you used other Michiganders Instagram photos! GREAT idea! Did find them and ask to feature their photos or did they find you? I’m very interested in how this came together.
On another note, fall is the most beautiful season here in Michigan. I can’t stop checking out the trees whenever I’m outside. I actually had to remind myself yesterday to pay attention to the road and not the tree colors. He he. Great post.
Oohh, so many pretty trails! The one in White Lake isn’t very far from me. I should try it out before it gets too cold.
Love that you did the research for me! I’ll need to check out the one in White Lake, pretty close to me.
Michigan is so beautiful in the fall. I’ve never been hiking before, but these photos make me want to give a try.
looks like some really great (and photogenic) places to hike. Thank you!
I live in California and I miss all the pretty foliage you have there. It is such a beautiful time of the year to get out and enjoy nature.
Wow, what a gorgeous location! Michigan looks incredible in the fall. I always visited family there for Thanksgiving growing up, but I don’t remember the beautiful forests.
Oohh, so many pretty trails! Michigan looks incredible in the fall.
Absolutely beautiful pictures! I read your entire post in Tim Allen’s voice – we get so many commercials here in Wisconsin that he narrates to come visit. OK Tim, you twisted my arm!
I just moved to Texas from Utah and this is one thing I really miss about the fall! I want my cool weather, color changing leaves, and pretty trails to hike!
So pretty! I love the fall – the colors are so striking especially in the Midwest where the temperatures get super cold in the winter. I feel like the leaves are so pretty!
Wow so beautiful! I woudl love to have these trails here in Florida we don’t have nearly enough Fall colors!
Those are all beautiful trails. What I like about hiking and trekking are the wonderful scenery that comes with it. Nothing beats a view that is breathtaking!
You have so many beautiful trails. The views are simply breathtaking. I wish we had more places like those here.
I love those lovely views! Michigan is one of the beautiful places when to fall season.
Wow, these are fantastic. I love how your pictures showcase each of the trails. Michigan sounds like a great place to visit. Love this post, will be pinning this, some excellent information here.
Wow the views here look stunning! I would love to live near all of that nature! It’s quite far away from us in the UK but if I’m ever out that way I would love to see these!
So many great hiking trails to choose from! I LOVE getting outdoors in the fall. The scenery is gorgeous with the leaves starting to change. I’ve never been in Michigan but will definitely add some of these to our list when we go!
I would love to go on a walking trail in Michigan. Hiking is such a beautiful experience so why not go somewhere equally as pleasing.
These look like some really beautiful places to visit. We are looking forward to getting outside and enjoying nature this Fall!
I would love to go here! I am in love with fall and I want to see all the world’s best fall colors. This will be on my list!
Those all look so magical! I would love to take my husband there on a hiking date if we are ever in Michigan. Idaho has really similar hiking trails!
Fall is so pretty! I love taking my family for nature walks at this time of year. The weather is perfect and the colors… oh wow. Thanks for sharing all of these great locations!
I have always wanted to visit Michigan. Now I need to plan a trip for next fall! I love trips where we can avoid tourist areas and see the real part of the country we visit. Thank you for the information.
Those trails look beautiful. I live by the ocean in SC so we don’t have stunning views from hill tops. I love to vacation in the mountains once a year to get that sort of scenery.
Fall is such a great time of the year to take a day trip. I love following the foliage and taking a family hike. Michigan looks lovely!
These look like gorgeous spots to visit! I live in Kentucky, and we have our share of beautiful hiking trails and hideaway spots in the area. The leaves just make everything so beautiful! Your photos, though… make a girl want to travel to Michigan and visit these!!!
Hiking is one of my top 10 favorite things to do. I’ve actually have never been to Michigan but would love to go and specifically visit Escarpment Trail.
Michigan looks absolutely gorgeous at this time of the year! I’d love to take a visit and just spend some much needed quality time outdoors.
Seeing the changing of the leaves is the one thing I miss from living up north, along with a few other things. I love going for a hike in the fall. The weather is perfect and the scenery is so filled with color.
These pictures make me so homesick. We live in Florida, where none of these beautiful places exist, and I am from Wisconsin. I cannot wait to take our girls home one year to see the leaves change. Michigan looks like an amazing place to visit.
Your photos make me want to take a hike and go admire the amazing beauty of the Fall foliage.
I’m not from the US but would love to visit here. I love hiking in the UK and these spots look so incredible.
Totally appreciate the list you compiled! My family, particularly my hubby, loves hiking and camping. He often tells me of the many places in Michigan, and since we have relatives there we can fly and go to these amazing places you pointed out!
Omg who knew there were so many beautiful hiking trails in Michigan!!! I need to check a few of these out
All of these areas look beautiful! I would love to see each and every one of them.
I have never been to Michigan before but this definitely makes me want to see it. I love to hike!