Michigan\u00a0has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them.
\nThese\u00a0links were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to learn about more accessible natural areas from those of you\u00a0who have been there. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/a>
\nState<\/a>
\nLocal<\/a>
\nPrivate<\/a>
\nMiscellaneous<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/h2>\n

• Hiawatha National Forest<\/strong>
  \nHiawatha National Forest is in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.\u00a0 The\u00a0 Forest’s dramatic shorelines\u00a0lie nestled up\u00a0to Lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan — three of the five great lakes.\u00a0 “Our lakeshores, lighthouses, islands and abundant snow create a place of respite and play within a day’s drive of urban and rural areas of Michigan, Wisconsin, other nearby states…[and Canada].Here is the Forest Website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone\u00a0\u00a0906-428-5800
  \n<\/a><\/strong>Nahma Marsh Trail<\/a>\u00a0 is a\u00a00.3 mile linear trail with broad vistas of the marsh. “This hard surfaced fully accessible trail ends at a two-tiered viewing platform where an assortment of wetland wildlife can be seen.”
  \n<\/a>Colwell Lake Hiking Trail<\/a>\u00a0 “This 2 mile long loop trail meanders along the edge of Colwell Lake and is surfaced to be fully accessible to people with mobility impairments.”
  \n<\/a>Monocle Lake Interpretive Trail<\/a>\u00a0 The first 1000 feet of this 2 mile trail, including\u00a0an elevated boardwalk with a wildlife viewing platform, is wheelchair accessible.
  \n<\/a>? \u00a0There are a great many short day hiking trails<\/a> in Hiawatha National Forest described as “easy”, but I can’t tell if they really qualify\u00a0for this website.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Isle Royale National Park
  \n<\/strong>“Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness in the middle of Lake Superior. It is only accessible by ferry, seaplane, or private watercraft.”
  \nMap<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 906-482-0984\u00a0 \u00a0 Here is the Park Website<\/a>.
  \n<\/a>?<\/strong> Windigo Nature Trail 1.2 mile\u00a0 The Windigo Area Guide<\/a> says\u00a0the self-guided loop trail\u00a0crosses \u00a0fern-filled cedar lowlands, \u00a0and hardwood forests of maple and birch. \u00a0AllTrails<\/a> says it is good for “all skill levels.”\u00a0 However, the Park site cautions that Isle Royale\u00a0terrain is “rough and uneven.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore<\/strong>
  \nPictured Rocks offers sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfall, lakes and forest.\u00a0 \u00a0Accessibility<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0As described in the Disabled Traveler’s Companion<\/a>.\u00a0 Here is the Lakeshore Website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0906-387-3700
  \n<\/a>A Braille introduction to the park can be downloaded from the Accessiblity page.
  \nThere are trails described under\u00a0\u00a0Day Hikes<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0which sound pretty easy.\u00a0 Call first to be sure.
  \n<\/a>Sand Point Marsh Trail 0.5 mile loop along a boardwalk through a wetland.<\/p>\n

  <\/a>Munising Falls\u00a0 800′ one way paved\u00a0 trail to view the 50′ waterfall<\/p>\n

  <\/a>Miners Castle Overlook\u00a0 200 to 1,300′ one way.\u00a0 Views of Miners Castle, Lake Superior, and Grand Island.
  \n<\/a>Log Slide Overlook c200 yards of densely packed gravel.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

• Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore
  \n<\/strong>Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore has sandy beaches, high bluffs, forests, inland lakes, and unique flora and fauna.\u00a0 High dunes afford spectacular views across Lake Michigan.\u00a0\u00a0As described in The Disabled Traveler’s Companion<\/a>.
  \nMap<\/a>\u00a0 Here is the Lakeshore\u00a0website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone 231-326-4700\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Accessibility<\/a>
  \n<\/a>?<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 There are several trails<\/a> which might be easy for you.\u00a0 Call to find out.<\/p>\n

  <\/a>Duneside \u00a0Trail is a\u00a00.9 mile round trip\u00a0interpretive trail to a deck and a small pond. \u00a0It begins at the north end of the picnic area and parking lot. \u00a0It “winds through an open field at the base of the dunes, then through the forest to a wetland.” \u00a0Trail map and guide<\/a>.
  \n<\/a>? <\/strong>There are some hikes on South Manitou Island<\/a> which sound easy, but call first to learn about them.
  \n<\/a>Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail<\/a>\u00a0 “Currently the trail runs almost 22 miles between Empire and Bohemia Road, connecting to park attractions and the town of Glen Arbor along the way. Most of the trail is asphalt, but a 3-mile section which goes through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District north of Glen Arbor is crushed stone.”
  \n<\/a>?<\/strong>\u00a0 Good Harbor Bay Trail<\/a> 2.8 mile loop which might be too long for you, but maybe you could do part of it.\u00a0 “Flat, wet in places”\u00a0 There is a short boardwalk and a footbridge.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

  <\/a>State<\/h2>\n

  • Hartwick Pines State Park
    \n<\/strong>At 9,672 acres, “…Hartwick Pines is one of the largest state parks in the Lower Peninsula. The park’s rolling hills, which are built of ancient glacial deposit, overlook the valley of the East Branch of the AuSable River, four small lakes and unique timber lands. The principal feature of this park is the 49-acre forest of old growth pines which gives the park its name.”\u00a0 \u00a0Here is Grayings\u00a0website<\/a> describing the park.\u00a0\u00a0The Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone 989-348-7068
    \n<\/a>\u00a0Old Growth Trail<\/a>\u00a0is 1.25 mile loop which takes you into the\u00a0park\u2019s “49-acre tract of virgin timber, the largest continuous stand of old growth white pines in the Lower Peninsula.”
    \n<\/a>\u00a0Au Sable River Trail is a 3.9-mile interpretive foot trail that passes through old growth trees along the banks of the Au Sable River.
    \n<\/a>?<\/strong> The Mertz Grade Trail is a 2-mile trail that begins at the picnic area. The trail then follows an abandoned railroad area and through a second-growth forest.\u00a0 The description does not say this is easy, but old railways usually are.\u00a0 Best to call ahead to be sure.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Maybury State Park<\/strong>
    \n“Maybury State Park contains almost 1,000 acres of gently rolling terrain, open meadow, mature forest, a variety of wildlife and abundant wildflowers…”\u00a0 Description on EyeOnMichigan.\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone\u00a0248-349-8390
    \n<\/a>?<\/strong> There are 4 miles of paved bicycle trails\u00a0and six\u00a0miles of “unpaved hiking trails meander through wooded areas and around a large pond”. \u00a0There is wheelchair icon on the internet descriptions of these trails, although the hiking trails are described as “easy to moderate”.\u00a0 Better call in advance to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Port Crescent State Park<\/strong>
    \n“Port Crescent State Park is located at the tip of Michigan’s “thumb” along three miles of sandy shoreline on Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay near Port Austin. It is home to a dark sky preserve, a modern campground with waterfront views and a camper cabin. It also offers visitors ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, birding and hunting. In addition, a wooden boardwalk parallels the shoreline offering scenic vistas of Saginaw Bay.”\u00a0 Park description and photographs of the trail in a nice blog, “The Midwest Guest<\/a>” and reviewed in Trip Advisor.<\/a>
    \nHere is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone\u00a0(989) 738-8663
    \n<\/a><\/a>The\u00a0Dunes Nature Trail \u00a0is a 3\/4 mile interpretive trail with stops describing\u00a0dune landscape, history and wildlife. “The trailhead also features an audio message repeater with messages, benefitting the visually impaired.”<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Sterling State Park<\/strong>
    \n“Sterling State Park’s 1,300 acres offers great recreational opportunities including over one mile of beach, boating, shore fishing on Lake Erie and the fishing lagoons, lakefront camping, wildlife viewing and six miles of trails.”
    \nHere is the Park website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 Phone\u00a0734-289-2715
    \n<\/a>\u00a0Sterling Marsh trail<\/a>, a 6 mile accessible interpretive trail which borders\u00a0Lake Erie.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Tahquamenon Falls State Park<\/strong>
    \nThis almost 50,000 acre state park is near the northern tip of the western region of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.\u00a0 Thank you to Kate who brought this park and its beautiful waterfalls to my attention.\u00a0 The Upper Falls drops nearly 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across.\u00a0 The Lower Falls is a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is the Park’s website<\/a>.
    \nPhone 906-492-3415\u00a0 Here are maps<\/a> of both the camping areas and the trails.\u00a0 \u00a0Detailed map of the Upper Falls Day Use Area<\/a>.\u00a0 Detailed map of the Lower Falls Day Use Area<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 Facebook page<\/a>.
    \n<\/a>Trail to the Upper Falls\u00a0 0.3 miles\u00a0 Loaner wheelchairs are available at the “Fact Shack” by the parking lot.
    \n<\/a>?\u00a0 Nature Trail 0.3 miles. I am not sure how easy this is.\u00a0 Better check with the park first.
    \n\u00a0Trail and road to Lower Falls about 0.2 miles paved plus 0.4 miles gravel road along the river with views of the falls.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Tawas Point State Park
    \n<\/strong>This small park is a “..\u00a0jagged hook of sandy beaches, wetlands and small dunes…” This unique sand dune ecosystem is a major landfall for birds migrating across Saginaw Bay.\u00a0 It is a wonderful spot for birding. Thanks go to Kate for letting me know about it.
    \n<\/a>Tawas Bay Pedestrian and Bike Path 13.9 miles paved travels along the edge of Tawas Bay from the Park to Dyer and North Huron Road.\u00a0 Here is the TrailLink.com<\/a> description.
    \n<\/a>Sandy Hook Trail 1.5 miles, sandy interpretive path with a few stretches of boardwalk.\u00a0 Map and detailed guide.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Waterloo Recreation Area<\/strong>\u00a0describes a “network of seven different trails that traverse a total of 14 miles” \u00a0in the Waterloo-Discovery Center area.
    \n<\/a>\u00a0The Dept. of Natural Resources website<\/a> says “Of these trails, the “Rockway<\/a>” loop is the only trail that meets ADAAG standards for universal accessibility.” \u00a0 I can not find Rockway on their maps! \u00a0 Try calling headquarters at 734-475-8307 \u00a0to learn where it is and if you do, please let me know.\u00a0 Here is the Recreation Area’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • Yankee Springs Recreation Area
    \n<\/strong>“Yankee Spring’s rugged terrain, bogs, marshes, lakes and streams, lend itself to many forms of recreation outdoor recreation, including 30 miles of hiking trails, 12 miles of mountain bike trails, 10 miles of horseback trails, two public beaches, picnic shelters and two universally accessible fishing piers (one at Gun Lake and one at Deep Lake)”\u00a0 \u00a0Phone\u00a0269-795-9081\u00a0\u00a0Here is their website<\/a>.
    \n<\/a> \u00a0Yankee Springs – Gun Lake Trail<\/a>. 0.50 mile long\u00a0Map<\/a>\u00a0 Reviewed on TripAdvisor<\/a>
    \n<\/a>There is also the one mile loop Sassafras Nature trail<\/a> which is described as easy, flat and wooded.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/a>Local<\/h2>\n

    • City of Davison<\/strong>
      \n<\/a>Black Creek Nature Trail is a 1.6 mile paved path. From\u00a0TrailLink<\/a>:\u00a0 “The Black Creek Nature Trail begins at the Davison Township Municipal Center and winds its way to the trail system in the City of Davison\u2019s Jack Abernathy Regional Park. Travelers on the trail will enjoy the tree-lined, 1.6-mile route along the Black Creek to the 138-acre park.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • The City of Petoskey
      \n<\/a>Petoskey maintains the Bear River Valley Recreation area<\/a>\u00a0where there is a paved path and\u00a0a dirt trail on either side of the river. \u00a0Trip Advisor reviews<\/a>\u00a0. \u00a0Thank you to Tim Knutsen for this information: \u00a0“The 10′ wide, paved non-motorized trail on the west side of the river was …\u00a0designed and built to ADA standards, providing an accessible walking surface about 8\/10ths of a mile long, that actually climbs 50′ in the first 1\/2 mile. It’s a unique opportunity for people of all abilities to view a natural stream as it makes a dramatic descent to Lake Michigan.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • Grass River Natural Area<\/strong>
      \nAntrim County’s \u00a0Grass River Natural Area<\/a>, south of Lake Bellaire, has a system of six short trails through wetlands and woodland. \u00a0From \u00a0Trails.com<\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0“Hundreds of species of plants, 65 species of birds, 35 species of fish, and 33 species of reptiles and amphibians make this area a naturalist’s dream.”\u00a0Phone 231-533-8314 \u00a0or 231-533-8576 \u00a0 Trail Map<\/a>\u00a0 Here is their website<\/a>.
      \nThe Sedge Meadow boardwalk trail<\/a>\u00a00.75 mile \u00a0is highly recommended by Trails.com
      \n<\/a>The 0.43 mile Fern Loop\u00a0Trail is accessible\u00a0and has a guide rope and braille interpretive signs for visually impaired hikers.
      \nMost\u00a0of the trails are boardwalks or\u00a0easy walking, but you might call \u00a0to be sure of\u00a0conditions.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/a>Private<\/h2>\n

      • Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Michigan Audubon’s phone number is\u00a0517-641-4277. \u00a0You might want to inquire first before going out to these trails as I am not sure just how easy they are.
        \n<\/a>Bernard W. Baker Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a><\/strong> has the\u00a0Iva E. Doty Native Wildflower Trail,<\/a>\u00a0a one mile self-guided trail. The\u00a0trail, “with an extensive boardwalk, winds through a wet meadow, past a quiet pond and woodland creek and along the edge of a flood plain forest.” \u00a0A self-guiding brochure is available at the Doty Shelter.
        \n<\/a><\/b>Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary <\/a><\/strong> has a loop nature trail and an observation site. \u00a0The observation site is wheelchair accessible and I think the trail would be\u00a0easy. \u00a0This is a great place to see cranes in the fall. Map
        \n<\/a><\/a>\u00a0Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 According to the book “Best Easy Day Hikes Grand Rapids, Michigan” by Kevin Revolinski, \u00a0there is an easy grass and packed dirt 1.9 lollypop trail here going through wetlands, hardwood forest and prairie.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

      • Chippewa Nature Center<\/a>\u00a0 <\/strong>has 15+ miles of trails through 1200 acres of “diverse ecosystems”. The Chippewa Trail is a\u00a0paved 4-mile route from Midland to the Nature Center. \u00a0Call their office at\u00a0989.631.0830 for information about trail difficulty. \u00a0Map<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

      • Detroit Metro Area
        \n<\/strong><\/a>Clinton River Park Trail winds along the east bank of its namesake river in Sterling Heights, a northern suburb of Detroit. It is a 4.5 mile asphalt trail between Edison and Nichols streets.\u00a0 “The paved trail runs through a tranquil, wooded area; keep a lookout for deer, turtles, and waterfowl.”\u00a0 TrailLink<\/a>\u00a0description.<\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

      • Dow Gardens and Whiting Forest<\/strong>
        \nThe Dow Gardens at Midlands encompass 110 acres with seven different gardens, including the Pollinator Garden, Streamwalk, and Color Garden.\u00a0 \u00a0Accessibility<\/a>
        \nHere is the Gardens’ website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 Phone 989-631-2677 or 800-362-4874\u00a0 There is an entrance fee.
        \n<\/a>There are over\u00a0two miles of “barrier-free-hardsurfaced pathways.\u00a0 \u00a0There are also golf cart tours twice daily (except Sundays) May through September.\u00a0 Call ahead to reserve one of the four loaner wheelchairs.
        \nThank you Kate for sending me information about this and other Michigan accessible trails.
        \nThank you to Alicia Kildau for this additional information: Whiting Forest<\/a>, adjacent to the Gardens and run by it, has the largest canopy walk in the country and most of it is ADA accessible (there are a few rope sections going off it that aren\u2019t).<\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li>

      • Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park<\/strong>
        \n“One of the nation\u2019s most significant sculpture and botanic experiences, Meijer Gardens [Grand Rapids] includes Michigan\u2019s largest tropical conservatory; five indoor theme gardens; outdoor gardens, nature trails and boardwalk; sculpture galleries and permanent sculpture collection; library; caf\u00e9; gift shop; education center; and meeting rooms. Both indoors and outdoors, the 158-acre main campus is barrier free and handicap accessible<\/em>.”\u00a0 Thank you to Larisa Draves for letting me know about this.
        \nHere is the Gardens website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone 616-957-1580.\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
        \n<\/a>All the paths through the gardens are wide and accessible.\u00a0 These include the Leslie E. Tassell English Perennial & Bulb Garden, the Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden with its Kettle Pond, and the Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden.<\/p>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

        <\/a>Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n

        • Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors\u00a0 (MiOFO)
          \n<\/strong>“MiOFO is a cooperative partnership with a mission to “…provide improved outdoor recreation opportunities for wounded veterans and individuals with health challenges; and, to coordinate a support network that facilitates their recovery through connecting with nature.”\u00a0 Initial efforts will focus on\u00a0Sharonville State Game Area, which is near Ann Arbor, Jackson, Lansing, and Detroit.\u00a0 Website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • MichiganTrailMaps.com<\/a> is a great resource for finding trails. \u00a0You can filter for difficulty, length, paved and many other parameters. \u00a0 Unfortunately, there is no filter for accessibility, and of course, “easy” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone. \u00a0I came up with 11 trails which were described as easy, paved, and in parks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • Nature For The Blind<\/a> has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

        • The\u00a0Rails-to-Trails Conservancy<\/a>\u00a0lists some 88 wheelchair accessible trails in Michigan. \u00a0 Most of these are primarily bicycle trails and are through combinations of urban, suburban, and rural environments. \u00a0I would love some feedback on any of these or segments of them which provide an escape to nature for disabled walkers or riders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Michigan\u00a0has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them. These\u00a0links were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to learn about more accessible natural areas from those of you\u00a0who have been there. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge … Continue reading Rails-to-Trails – Michigan<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-197","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=197"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5862,"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions\/5862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.accessiblenature.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}