20 places to take a hike within driving distance of Detroit

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Aug 19, 2022 at 3:39 pm

Sometimes you just need to be one with nature.

We're a digitally connected society, and sometimes going for a walk in the woods or on a cool trail is just what we need to reset.

Here are 20 places to go for a hike that aren't that far from Detroit.

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Waterloo Recreation Area/Facebook

Waterloo Recreation Area

16345 McClure Rd., Chelsea; 734-475-8307; dnr.state.mi.us

Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest park in the Lower Peninsula. This park is home to the DTE Energy Foundation Trail, which is described as a cutting-edge, sustainable trail open to biking, trail running, and hiking.

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Google Maps

Willow Metropark

23200 S. Huron Rd., New Boston; 734-697-9181; metroparkscom/parks/willow-metropark

More than 1,531 beautiful acres of mature woodlands, scenic 17-acre Washago Pond and the picturesque Huron River await you at Willow Metropark in New Boston. There's golf and disc golf, too, and opportunities for fishing, and hiking and biking along the park's 4.5 mile trail.

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Google Maps

Kensington Metropark

4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford; 810-227-8910; metroparks.com/parks/kensington-metropark

Kensington Metropark surrounds Kent Lake and offers abundant wildlife, waterfowl, and wooded hiking areas.

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Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Wolcott Mill Metropark

65775 Wolcott Rd., Ray; 586-752-5932; metroparkscom/parks/wolcott-mill-metropark

This Metropark offers a 4.25 mile long HIke-Bike trail and three rustic trails.

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Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Hudson Mills Metropark

8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter; 734-426-8211; metroparks.com/parks/hudson-mills-metropark

Hudson Mills Metropark, which is about 12 miles from Ann Arbor, is a perfect spot for bass anglers, picnic lovers, and anyone looking to escape to serene woods and waters.

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Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Indian Springs Metropark

5200 Indian Trail, White Lake; 248-625-6640; metroparks.com/parks/indian-springs-metropark

Indian Springs boasts hiking trails running through the virtually untouched land along the Huron River, encompassing more than 2,215 acres of wooded wetlands and meadows, home to red foxes and wildflowers.

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Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Lake Erie Metropark

32481 W. Jefferson, Brownstown; 734-379-5020; metroparks.com/parks/lake-erie-metropark

This 1,607 acre Metropark has a three mile trail for hiking and a paved trail for biking.

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Friends of Highland Recreation Area/Facebook

Highland Recreation Area

5200 Highland Rd.., White Lake.; 248-889-3750; dnr.state.mi.us

Highland Recreation Area is over 5,000 acres of forest and marshes with trails for hikers, equestrians, and bikers.

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People For Palmer Park/Facebook

Palmer Park

910 Merrill Plaisance St., Detroit; 313-757-2751; peopleforpalmerpark.org

This is one of the rare opportunities to escape the city without actually crossing Eight Mile Road. Historic Palmer Park comprises 296 acres of lawns and historic woodlands, as well as tennis courts, splash park, and hiking-biking trails.

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Dwight Burdette / Wikimedia Commons

Cherry Hill Nature Preserve

6375 Cherry Hill Rd; Superior Charter Twp.

From wetlands, woods, and meadows, Cherry Hill has a 1.6-mile loop set in a wooded forest with a trail system that supports hiking, walking, and nature trips.

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Pontiac Lake Recreation Area / Facebook

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

7800 Gale Rd., Waterford Twp.; 248-666-1020; dnr.state.mi.us

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area also has a model airplane flying field and the longest beach in southeast Michigan at just over 1.5 miles. There are marshes, ponds, heavy forests, and old farm fields, as well as rivers, lakes, and trails for horseback riding and hiking.

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Maybury State Park / Facebook

Maybury State Park

49601 Eight Mile Rd., Northville; 248-349-8390; dnr.state.mi.us

Connect with nature at Maybury State Park by exploring the park's miles of trails spanning nearly 1,000 acres of gently rolling terrain, open meadow, and mature forest.

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Huron-Clinton Metroparks/Facebook

Lower Huron Metropark

40151 E. Huron River Dr., Belleville; 734-697-9181; metroparkscom/parks/lower-huron-metropark

With easy access from I-275 and I-94, you're never far from the natural beauty of Lower Huron Metropark's 1,258 acres of mature woodlands, grassy meadows, and the scenic Huron River.

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Healthiermi / Wikimedia Commons

Algonac State Park

8732 River Rd., Marine City; 810-765-5605; dnr.state.mi.us

With 1,500 acres and a half-mile of St. Clair River frontage, Algonac State Park offers easily accessible habitats.

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Tahquamenon Falls State Park / Facebook

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

41382 W. M 123, Paradise; 906-492-3415; dnr.state.mi.us

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is over 50,000 acres which gives visitors and hikers a lot to explore and look at.

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Bald Mountain Recreation Area/Facebook

Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

3361 S. Lapeer Rd., Orion Charter Twp.; 248-693-6767; dnr.state.mi.us

Bald Mountain Recreation Area offers 4,637 acres of picnic spots, modern shooting range, large hunting areas, fishing lakes, two trout streams, a sandy beach for swimming, paddle boards for rent, and 15 miles of marked hike-bike trails.

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Belle Isle Park - Michigan / Facebook

Belle Isle

99 Pleasure Dr., Detroit; 313-331-7760; belleisleconservancy.org

If you don't feel like driving too far, you can take a hike around Detroit's favorite island.

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Proud Lake Recreation Area/Facebook

Proud Lake Recreation Area

2700 Glengary Rd., Commerce Charter Twp.; 248-685-2433; dnr.state.mi.us

Proud Lake Recreation Area, with more than 4,700 acres, is located on the scenic Huron River in Oakland County and offers diverse and plentiful recreational opportunities. There are more than 20 miles of trails covering several diverse habitats.

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Brighton Recreation Area / Facebook

Brighton Recreation Area

6360 Chilson Rd., Howell; 810-229-6566; dnr.state.mi.us

Brighton Recreation Area provides 4,947 acres of recreation fun and a bunch of hills interspersed with some lakes, with several miles of trails available for equestrian, mountain biking, and hiking.

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Southfield Parks and Recreation/Facebook

Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve

27215 W 10 Mile Rd., Southfield; 248-796-5000; dnr.state.mi.us

Just 30 minutes outside of Detroit is 42 acres of woodlands, forested wetlands, and native meadows, all of which surround Carpenter Lake, and it's still one of southeast Michigan's best-kept secrets.

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