Courtesy Photo/Michigan DNR Women are seen horseback riding at Fort Custer State Park. Michigan is a great place to go horseback riding, with more than 1,000 miles of trails to choose from.

Single-track. Switchback. Rail trail. Off-road. Backcountry. Water. Equestrian. Multi-use. Looped. Out-and-back. Smooth and paved.

Hear these different kinds of trails and pathways, and a favorite type likely comes to mind – it does for me, a longtime, passionate trail explorer.

Well, wait: Can I pick more than one?

Of course, we all can – how could we not?

Here in Michigan, we’re lucky to have all these trail types and then some. We are known as The Trails State for good reasons: Michigan is home to more than 13,700 miles of designated state-managed trails and thousands of miles of local, county and federally managed trails.

Each September, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, along with statewide trail organizations and community partners, commemorates the state’s impressive pathways during Michigan Trails Week.

In fact, we’re smack dab in the middle of this celebration as Trails Week continues through today, which is National Public Lands Day. (That’s no coincidence, by the way; lining up Michigan Trails Week with this national day of recognition for our precious public lands is by design.)

If you’re like me, getting outdoors and on the trails is an enjoyable experience any time of the year, whether that means walking, running, hiking, cycling, riding or paddling. But there is something especially magical about exploring and being in nature – whether deep in the woods, at your local state park or on a paved path in your city – this time of year. Autumn’s vibrant color display is as stunning as it gets while on a trail.

Then there’s winter on the trails, with all that freshly fallen snow. And later, when everything thaws and pops of colors arrive. And who doesn’t adore summertime trail adventures? I guess that’s that then: in the Great Lakes State, we live and play in trail paradise, all year long.

“Michigan truly is The Trails State,” said my colleague Tim Novak, state trails coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “With nearly 14,000 miles of state-designated trail, Michigan is the nation’s leader in providing access to the outdoors and recreation. And our trails are much more than just a place to walk, run, ride or paddle – trails provide access to many of Michigan’s most iconic and recognizable natural resources and scenic sites.”

Kelly Wolgamott, vice president of Pure Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, concurs.

“Michigan’s thousands of miles of trails are an incredible way to explore our two peninsulas,” she said. “Whether it’s hiking, biking and paddling in the spring, summer and fall or snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months, our Pure Michigan Trails and Trail Towns offer four seasons of unforgettable outdoor adventure.”

Good for the soul (and our health)

Getting outdoors and moving our bodies may not always be the first thing we turn to when we’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed with life – sometimes it feels like our never-ending to-do lists don’t allow for such an activity – but it clearly can make a positive difference in our well-being when we carve out the time.

“Trails improve mental and physical health,” Novak said. “They increase the economic well-being of the people who use them and the regions they run through. At their core, trails connect communities and people. They provide avenues for social and cultural growth. They create memories and a sense of belonging.”

Research backs this up. Consider a 2014 study by the American Journal of Public Health, which revealed there is a direct and significant measurable correlation between how close people live to biking and walking infrastructure and the amount of weekly exercise they get.

American Trails, a nationwide coalition of all types of trail organizations, agencies and individuals, shared results of this study, which was conducted in three communities that were upgrading their walking and biking infrastructure, measuring the exercise habits of the residents both before and after the trails went in.

The results showed that those living within less than a mile of the new trails were getting on average 45 minutes more exercise a week after the trails were built than they were before they had that available infrastructure.

The amount of increased exercise per week went down the farther away people lived from the new trails, but benefits were still seen for those who lived up to 2.5 miles away.

A 2011 literature review by the American Heart Association, meanwhile, found that for every $1 invested in building trails, there is a direct correlation to $3 of saved medical costs for communities, according to an American Trails website article.

The DNR partners with Pure Michigan on the Pure Michigan Trail, Water Trail and Trail Town Designation Program to spotlight some the state’s best trail experiences. This video series highlights the program.

Pure Michigan also produced this Detroit Trails and Greenways video, which features Milliken State Park, the Outdoor Adventure Center and Belle Isle Park.

“Michigan’s statewide trail network is unmatched and reflects a deep commitment to providing access to people, places and year-round adventures,” Wolgamott said.

More miles, upgrades and reopened trails

In 2025, the DNR helped finish numerous trail projects. Some highlights:

The Lower Grand River Water Trail in Grand Rapids and the Cass River Water Trail near Saginaw were named the latest state-designated water trails, bringing the total number of waterways across the state with this designation to 10. Start planning your paddling adventure at Michigan.gov/DNR/Things-to-do/Paddling.

The Iron Belle Trail, which extends more than 2,000 miles from the far western tip of the Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit, added its newest segment and is now more than 70% complete. This 5.8-mile path is known as the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail and loops around Belle Isle Park. It is the first stretch of the Iron Belle Trail from the southern terminus, or what is known as the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Gateway.

The 92-mile Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park – Michigan’s second-longest rail trail, linking Comstock Park near Grand Rapids to Cadillac – is now fully paved. Following the historic Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad bed, it traverses 15 towns and cities and rural farmland and offers scenic overlooks, picnic areas and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

Nearly 2,800 miles of impacted northern Michigan trails have reopened following this spring’s historic ice storm March 28-30 in northern Michigan. The storm profoundly impacted nearly 1 million acres of DNR-managed lands, including 3,400 miles of state roads, 19 state parks, 54 state forest campgrounds, 162 boating access sites, and 3,290 miles of state-managed trails (including 1,700 miles of state-designated ORV trails and routes). DNR staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly on the storm clean-up, which is ongoing, with 425 miles of trails remaining temporarily closed. Visit the DNR’s storm recovery page to learn more.

Show your trail love

Interested in sporting a bit of trails and recreation swag to support the Trails State? Check out some of the timeless gear and all-new trail stickers that celebrate Michigan’s awesome outdoor recreation opportunities. These items are offered by our merchandise apparel partner, Great Lakes Proud, and a portion of all proceeds from this collection helps preserve state parks, trails and waterways.

You can also help keep Michigan’s trails in the best shape for everyone to enjoy themselves safely. More than 150 DNR-associated volunteer groups hold trail workdays throughout the year. Volunteers help with brush removal, sign installation and maintenance, general trail cleanup, snow grooming, dirt grading and even grant writing.

Want to lend a hand? For off-road vehicle or snowmobile trail volunteering, contact Jessica Roehrs at RoehrsJ1@Michigan.gov. For nonmotorized trails volunteering, contact Tim Novak at NovakT8@Michigan.gov. Please put “VOLUNTEER” in the subject line.

Michigan Trails Week is also a good time to direct support to your favorite trail or toward project goals within a specific category such as water trails, snowmobile trails or ORV trails – it all helps to elevate the hard work of our volunteers and trail partners.

Be good-natured on the trails

Part of enjoying our trails is practicing trail etiquette – this helps keep everyone happy and safe, while protecting our state’s natural landscapes. Knowing when to yield and how to interact with other users helps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Visit the DNR trail etiquette page to find helpful tips and information for all trail users.

And if you’re looking for more resources to help inspire your next trail excursion, visit Michigan.gov/DNRTrails. You’ll find the DNR’s all-new Recreation Search, giving you plenty of ideas for nonmotorized trails to check out, including trails in state parks, as well as interactive maps for both motorized and nonmotorized trails and routes, different trail activities, where you can take your four-legged friends on the trails, accessible trails and scenic sites, and closures and detours.

Happy trails!