7 Best Hiking Trails in Lansing, Michigan

Looking to get outside and enjoy the beauty of Lansing while stretching your legs and improving your health? The best places to go hiking, mountain biking, trail running, nature trails, and enjoying other outdoor activities are all right here in the Lansing area.

The Lansing area offers hundreds of trails, parks, and outdoor activities ranging from hiking and biking to fishing, hunting, swimming, and more. If you are looking for the best trails in Lansing to do any or all of these things, you have come to the right place. See below for a list:

Anderson Park Trail

Anderson Park Trail is a 5.8-kilometer moderately trafficked loop trail with a river that is suitable for all skill levels and is located near Lansing, Michigan. The trail is best used from April to October and offers a variety of activities. This trail is also suitable for dogs but they must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times. For families to cycle, hike, and enjoy, the Anderson Park Trail offers a variety of gravel, nature, and paved trails. This park is open for 24 hours. 

Lansing River Trail

The park’s main feature is the two-and-a-half-mile Riverfront Trail, which connects all river-related attractions in the downtown area. From Waverly Road to Old Town, the Lansing River Trail is officially complete. It’s also possible to catch it from Potter Park to MSU. Over 20 miles of the paved route go through various parks and natural areas, as well as through Downtown Lansing.

Woldumar Nature Center

Woldumar maintains nearly 5 miles of trails on over 180 acres of Maple and Beech woodland, tallgrass prairie, and a pine plantation tucked along 1.25 miles of the Grand River, with more than a mile of shoreline. The trails are available 365 days a year and provide a variety of outreach and on-site Environmental Education activities for both children and adults. Hike or ski between the hours of dawn and dusk, with the nature center opening as early as 7 am.

Hawk Island Loop

Hawk Island Loop takes an average of 1 hour and 2 minutes to accomplish this 2.50-mile loop path in the Lansing, Michigan area which is rated easy. Although this is a busy trail for fishing, road biking, and trail running, you may still find some peace during the quieter hours of the day. The trail is available all year, but the months of April through November are the greatest for hiking. Dogs are permitted, but they must be kept on a leash.

Lake Lansing North Trail

The Lake Lansing North Trail is a little over four miles long and one of the area’s most popular destinations. The North Trail, only a few minutes outside of Lansing near Haslett, is a great place to see wildflowers and wildlife. This walk is suitable for both novice and experienced hikers. The circular route track is suitable for children and enables leashed pets. Biking, running, and birdwatching are all popular pastimes. The Lake Lansing North Trail is a must-see for its natural beauty, tranquil environment, deep tree cover, and varied topography.

Delta Mills Trail

Many beautiful hiking, running, and bicycling routes may be found in Delta Township, just outside of Lansing. From Elmwood to Canal, the East/West Pathway runs. The Hawk Meadow Trail and Grand Woods Trail are two more trails in this West Lansing trail network. Picnic spaces, shelters, a playground, two softball fields, a basketball court, a horseshoe pit, restrooms, drinking water, a volleyball court, two tennis courts, and a canoe launch are just some of the amenities available. 

Fenner Nature Center

Fenner Nature Facility is a 134-acre public green park that serves as an environmental teaching center. The site, which is now managed by the non-profit Fenner Conservancy, has almost four miles of trails, rolling glacial eskers, towering maple woods, and much more. 

It’s easy to see why hiking is such a popular hobby in Michigan. The state offers plenty of opportunities to explore nature, with 19.3 million acres of forested area and 3,288 kilometers of shoreline. Walking, biking and hiking are all terrific ways to stay active as part of a healthy lifestyle, and Lansing Michigan trails have plenty of them.