- Things to Do
- Top Activities
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Trails
- Arts & Entertainment
- Art Galleries
- Historic Movie Theatres
- Interlochen Center for the Arts
- Museums
- Attractions
- Free Things to Do
- Historical Sites
- Lighthouses
- Shipwrecks
- Tall Ships
- Casinos
- Itineraries
- 1-Day
- 2-Day
- 3-Day
- Beer Lover
- Beer & Wine Weekend
- Explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Guys' Weekend
- Outdoor Adventure
- Family Time
- Food Tour
- Girlfriend Getaway
- Personal Wine Tour
- Romantic Getaway
- Kids' Activities
- Spring Break
- Shopping
- Downtown Traverse City
- Farmer's Markets & U-Picks
- Grand Traverse Commons
- Malls & Shopping Centers
- Port Towns
- Spa & Salon
- Tours
- Beer Tours
- Boat Tours
- Fall Color Tour
- Scenic Drives
- Wine Tours
- Outdoors
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Trails
- Beaches
- Dog Beaches/Pet Friendly
- Biking
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Parks
- State Parks
- Trails & Nature Walks
- Watersports
- Boating
- Kayak, Canoe & SUP
- Jet Skiing & Rentals
- Winter Sports
- Ice Skating Hockey
- Ice Fishing
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Tubing & Sledding
- Seasons
- Spring
- Serendipitous Adventure
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Snow Much to Do
- Plan
- About Traverse City
- Cherry Industry
- Climate & Weather
- Driving Distances
- Historical Sites
- Blog
- Coupons & Packages
- Gift Certificates
- Request a Free Visitor's Guide
- Enewsletter Signup
- Getting Married in Traverse City
- Top Things to Do in Traverse City
- Trip Ideas & Itineraries
- 1-Day
- 2-Day
- 3-Day
- Beer Lover
- Beer & Wine Weekend
- Explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes
- Outdoor Adventure
- Family Time
- Food Tour
- Girlfriend Getaway
- Guy's Weekend
- Lighthouse Tour
- Romantic Getaway
- Personal Wine Tour
- Transportation
- Airport Info
- Visitor Center & Information
- Health Care
- Local Chambers
- Local News Outlets
- Parking
- Places of Worship
- Public Safety
- Traveling with a Pet
- Printable Maps
- Social Media Links
Trails and Nature Walks
The sweet smell of spring budding, the wild flowers in bloom in the summer months, the crunch of fall leaves beneath your feet, the feel of the crisp winter air against your cheeks. This is what we love about our northern Michigan trails!
If you’re visiting in the summer, be prepared for everything in full bloom alongside breathtaking views. The fall is hard to beat as forests are bursting with color, while the spring season is a perfect time to take in the budding trees and flowers. Winter has plenty to offer the avid outdoorsman as untouched trails and forests are waiting to be hiked and snowshoed.
You cannot forget about birding in the region either. Each year, people flock to Traverse City to take part in this classic form of wildlife observation. And they don’t have to travel too far outside of the city because there are bird-friendly habitats within a short distance. Top spots include trails within the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Old Mission Lighthouse Park at the tip of Old the Mission Peninsula and Medalie Park just south of downtown Traverse City.
With thousands of acres of state and national forests and parkland -- including the magnificent Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore -- Traverse City is blessed with miles of trails and pathways that will lead you to your next outdoor adventure!