Michigan Trails and Greenways, Rail Trails, and guide to hiking, biking, and trail riding

Chattanooga, TN will host the next National Trails Symposium November 15-18, 2010, sponsored by American Trails.

michigan trails

November 13, 2008 — 2008 SMART Trails Workshop

Middleville, MI
Trails: Build It-They Will Come: Funding~Planning~Implementing. Federal and State funding sources; Trail development in different community settings; Breakout session topics ranging from marketing and maintenance to developing a trail plan or vision to water trail development.; Optional guided trail experience along the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Sponsored by Southwest Michigan Alliance for Recreation Trails, the Thornapple Trail Association (TTA), and the SWMPC.
Info: http://www.swmpc.org/smart_workshop.asp or contact Suzann M. Flowers, Southwest Michigan Planning Commission - flowerss@swmpc.org

Agencies

For information on Michigan DNR: State Parks and State Forest Trails

The Great Outdoors Resources Page (GORP) has information on Michigan's National Forests: www.gorp.com/gorp/resource/US_National_Forest/gtlakes.HTM

For information on National Park Service units in Michigan: http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parksearch/state.cfm?st=mi

Bicycling and Mountain Biking

Mountain bike trails with detailed maps and descriptions from Michigan mountain biking books at Trails.com:

Mountain Biking Trails in Michigan

Bike rides on Michigan roads and paved pathways from road biking books at Trails.com:

Road Bike Rides in Michigan

Michigan Mountain Biking Association has trail descriptions and events: www.mmba.org/

UP Michigan Trails has bike trail maps by county in the Upper Penninsula: www.uptrails.org/

Equestrian Trails

Michigan Trail Riders Association has a variety of equestrian information: http://mtra.org/

Michigan Horse Council has trails and events information: www.michiganhorsecouncil.com/

Horse Trail Riding In Michigan provides information for equestrians: www.concentric.net/~Daddyoh/

UP Michigan Trails has horse trail maps by county in the Upper Penninsula: www.uptrails.org/

Greenways and Community Trails

Huron Greenways Trails System includes Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, and Alcona Counties in northeast Michigan: www.nemcog.org/greenways/trailsystem.htm

Oakland County Parks and Oakland Trails Advisory Council are teaming up to expand and coordinate a network of trails: www.co.oakland.mi.us/parksrec/program_service/trails_intro.html

River Country Trails Alliance works develop a recreational trail system throughout St. Joseph County: www.stjosephcountymi.org/parks_rcta.htm

Saginaw Bay Greenways Collaborative has facts and projects: www.msu.edu/~jaroszjo/greenway/main.htm

The Top of Michigan Trails Council'smission is to develop a network of multiple-use trails in Charlevoix, Emmet and Cheboygan counties: www.trailscouncil.org/

TART Trails, Inc. in Traverse City includes Boardman Lake Trail, Leelanau Trail, TART Trail, and Vasa Pathway: www.traversetrails.org

Hiking Trails

Hiking trail maps, hike descriptions, and Michigan topographic maps at Trails.com:

Hiking Trails in Michigan

Hiking Northeast Michigan has information on several trails: www.leelanau.com/nmj/land/hike.html

UP Michigan Trails has hiking trail maps by county in the Upper Penninsula: www.uptrails.org/

For Year-Round Walking and Volkssport Events in Michigan: www.ava.org/walk/mi.htm

Long-Distance Trails

Hiawatha Shore to Shore Trail is planned to link the Straits of Mackinac with Lake Superior: www.northcountrytrail.org/hss/

The North Country Trail is being developed with a goal of 4,400 miles from New York to North Dakota; for information on the trail in Michigan: http://northcountrytrail.org/explore/ex_index.htm

Off-Highway Vehicle Trails

Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan sponsors trail rides, volunteer efforts, and includes a legislative page: www.cycleconservationclub.org/index.html

Great Lakes Four Wheel Drive Association has 4WD information and events: www.glfwda.org

Michigan DNR ORV/ATV information website: www.michigan.gov/dnr/

Michigan DNR ORV Trail Maps can be downloaded or printed: www.michigan.gov/dnr/

Michigan Interactive has ATV Trail Maps and Reports: www.fishweb.com/recreation/orv/maps/index.html

Michigan Off Road Guide is a complete guide to OHV recreation opportunities, local ordinances, and trail maps from Michigan ATV Association: www.michiganatv.com/operate.php

UP Michigan Trails has motorized trail maps by county in the Upper Penninsula: www.uptrails.org/

Rail Trails and Canal Trails

Kal-Haven Trail runs 34 miles for bicycle, horse, or snowmobile use between Kalamazoo and South Haven: www.vbco.org/government364491.asp

Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail are at: www.kalhaventrail.org/about_friends.html

Friends of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail support the development of the rail trail from Midland to Coleman, MI: www.lmb.org/pmrt/. Midland County Parks And Recreation manages the Trail: www.co.midland.mi.us/departments/extra.php?id=21&pid=291

The Pere Marquette Trail parallels US 10 from Ludington to Midland: http://multimag.com/city/mi/reedcity/pere.html

Polly Ann Trail runs 14.2 miles through Oakland County in suburban Detroit: www.pollyanntrailway.org

The new White Pine Trail is now open from Big Rapids to Cadillac, Michigan: www.michiweb.com/cadillac/wptrail.html

Snow Trails

Michigan cross-country skiing areas and ski trails with trail maps and directions at Trails.com:

Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Trails in Michigan

Michigan snowshoeing routes and trails with detailed maps and directions at Trails.com:

Snowshoeing and Snowshoe Trails in Michigan

The State Snowmobile Program site has a wide variety of resources

Great Lakes Nordic Ski Council has information on cross-country skiing in northern Michigan: www.skinordic.org/index.html

Michigan Interactive has Snowmobile Trail Maps and Reports: www.fishweb.com/recreation/snowmobile/trails/index.html

Northern Michigan Snowmobile site: www.michiweb.com/snowmobile/

Ski Michigan covers cross-country skiing well as down-hill areas: www.michiweb.com/ski

Snowmobile Trails in the Upper Peninsula: www.exploringthenorth.com/trails/snowmo.html

Waterway and Boating Trails

Michigan canoeing, water trails, and other flatwater paddling routes on lakes and rivers at Trails.com:

Canoeing and Water Trails in Michigan

Michigan whitewater kayaking and rafting, with maps and launch points at Trails.com:

Whitewater Kayaking and Rafting in Michigan

Michigan sea kayaking routes on the Great Lakes with maps and launch points from kayaking books at Trails.com:

Sea Kayaking Routes in Michigan

Statewide Advocacy and Resources

Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance is working for a statewide system of trail, rail trails, and greenways throughout the state: www.michigantrails.org

The Trail Atlas of Michigan includes over 680 trail systems for all varieties of non-motorized trail activities: www.michiweb.com/trailatlas

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American Trails and NTTP support accessibility with Section 508: read more.

Join us in Chattanooga, Tennessee in November 2010 for the 20th National Trails Symposium!

Need trail skills and education? Do you provide training? Register with the National Trails Training Partnership!

Promote your trail through the National Recreation Trails Program

Find out which National Trails Day events are taking place in your area

Recreational Trails Program funding: The Federal Highway Administration has been providing $50 million annually in funding for trails, greenways, and motorized trails to the States. See how much your state received. Contact your state trails coordinator.