Brown Ridge Quiet Area
Located on the Boardman River is one of the largest natural areas that the Conservation District manages. There’s 6 miles of trails, paddling on the river, and gorgeous views from several different overlooks.
Miller Creek Nature Reserve
66-acres of trails that pass through a former red pine plantation, skirt the edges o open meadows, wind through beech forests, cross boardwalks, through cedar swamps, and follow parallel along Miller Creek.
Kid’s Creek Park
Situated along US-31 between Kohl’s and the Great Wolf Lodge. Kid’s Creek is a great place for a short hike or a little fishing at a stocked pond. Platforms for fishing are kid-friendly!
Commons Natural Area
The Commons Natural Area offers a rich history and great opportunity to get out and enjoy quiet recreation just minutes from the City. With over 4.5 miles of trail to explore, the vast and staggering beauty found on this property will astound you!
Empire Bluff
Round-trip is only 1.5 miles . The trail leads to a high bluff that offers a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. Stop at the trailhead for a self-guiding brochure describing the scenery.
Sleeping Bear Point Trail
The Sleeping Bear Point Trail is a 2.8 mile loop through the sand dunes with great views of Lake Michigan and South Manitou Island. There is a 0.5 mile spur hike from the trailhead to the Lake Michigan beach
Alligator Hill Trail
Three loops of 2.5-3 miles each plus a spur trail of 0.8 miles located just off the first looped section. The trail provides great views of Lake Michigan from the top of the hill of the first loop and of Glen Lake through the trees.
Bay View Trail
7 miles of moderate difficulty hiking. Terrain is hilly and divided into several shorter loops surrounded by a beech-maple forest, old farm fields, and a pine plantation. The lookout point on the northern loop gives you a spectacular view of Lake Michigan.
Good Harbor Bay Trail
Easy hiking on a flat 2.8 mile loop. Trail is mostly wooded with a short section of low dunes near the start.
Northeast Trail
This 2.9-mile hike along the Northeast Trail begins at the East Trailhead on Ranch Rudolph Road. This trail begins with a long stairway (231 steps - there is a built-in bench halfway through) that leads down to the Boardman River and the bottlomland trail. Planking that goes on for more than 900ft keeps your boots out of the forested wetland.
Northwest Trail
Popular 2.3-mile loop beginning from the West Trailhead on Ranch Rudolph Road. You'll find an overlook with benches on the river bluffs and the trail reaches the site of the former Brown Bridge Dam, where now the Boardman River flows through uninterrupted.
This is a moderate difficult hike due to the hilly area and does include multiple sets of stairs.
South Trail and Grasshopper Creek Loop
These trails can be combined for 4.2-mile hike on the south side of the Quiet Area. They are in most developed area of the preserve, featuring a canoe launch, picnic tables, and viewing deck at the trailhead.