If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, Traverse City is the perfect place to explore. From lush forests and sandy beaches to rugged mountains and crystal-clear lakes, this beautiful city offers a variety of activities that are sure to get your heart racing. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely hike or an adrenaline-filled kayaking experience, Traverse City has something for everyone. Here are several trails and waterways in the area where you can enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, and more!
Table of Contents
Why Choose Traverse City for your Summer Outdoor Adventures
Traverse City is a great destination for an outdoor adventure, offering something for everyone. With over 250 miles of trails from easy to expert level and an abundance of parks and nature preserves, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the local flora and fauna in this northern Michigan city.
- The area also boasts a variety of beaches and lakes where you can enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing.
- For those seeking a more adrenaline-filled experience, there are numerous mountain biking trails and wildlife viewing areas that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- With plenty of local businesses providing gear rentals as well as camping sites close by, you can plan the perfect getaway without having to pack too much into your car.
- And if you’re looking for peace and quiet during your stay in Traverse City, there are many secluded areas throughout the region offering solitude and breathtaking scenery away from busy resorts or parks.
From leisurely hikes to extreme sports activities, Traverse City has something for everyone’s outdoor adventure needs!
1. Hiking Trails in and Around Traverse City
Traverse City is full of amazing hiking trails that are perfect for exploring the unique scenery of northern Michigan. Offering something for everyone from the novice to expert hikers, there are trails that range from easy strolls to challenging climbs.
If you’re looking for a leisurely hike, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or the Leelanau State Park are both excellent choices.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
With over 100 miles of maintained trails, Lakeshore is the perfect place for nature adventuring. Whether you’re out to take on challenging day hikes or discover serene scenes through cross-country skiing and snowshoeing – 13 trails offer something unique around every corner.
- Old Indian Trail
- Platte Plains
- Kettles Trail
- Empire Bluff
- Windy Moraine
- Shauger Hill
- Cottonwood
- Dunes
- Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
- Sleeping Bear Point
- Alligator Hill
- Bay View
- Pyramid Point
- Good Harbor Bay
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Ski Trail
For those wanting a bit more adventure and stunning views, take a hike on the Empire Bluffs Trail or the South Manitou Island Trail.
No matter what type of hiker you are, you’ll be sure to find a trail in Traverse City that is just right for your outdoor adventure!
Related: Explore Traverse City: Short and Easy Hikes for Nature Lovers
2. Mountain Biking Spots in and Around Traverse City
Traverse City is a great destination for mountain biking enthusiasts of all levels. From beginner-friendly routes such as the Vasa Pathway to more challenging rides like the Tour de Torch or the Cadillac Pathway, there’s something for everyone in this northern Michigan city.
- The Vasa Pathway offers a scenic one-mile loop that takes bikers through wooded trails, grassy meadows and over hilltops – perfect for those just starting out or wanting to enjoy an easy ride.
- The paved TART Trail runs throughout the city. Bike racks are conveniently placed along the entire route making it easy for quick or long stops to enjoy the views of Grand Traverse Bay.
- The Leelanau Trail – 17-mile Leelanau Trail provides a paved off-road connection between Traverse City and Suttons Bay. Running through the last of Leelanau County’s former railroad corridors, the Leelanau Trail features picturesque forests, farms, vineyards, lakes, and ponds.
- The Tour de Torch – an annual one-day 26, 40, 63, or 100-mile bicycle tour primarily along the scenic shores of Torch Lake, Michigan’s longest and one of its most beautiful inland lakes with unusually clear, bright turquoise-hued waters.
- Finally, the Cadillac Pathway is an advanced route taking riders up and down mountains over 10 miles of rugged terrain along with plenty of exciting switchbacks and drop-offs.
With so many options for mountain biking in Traverse City, it’s easy to plan an outdoor adventure that will get your heart racing!
3. Kayaking & Paddleboarding Locations in or Near Traverse City
Dive into the beauty of Traverse City from a unique perspective – by exploring its network of lakes, rivers, and streams! Renting canoes or kayaks is an awesome way to take in nature’s breathtaking views throughout spring, summer & fall. Put your paddles to work for some incredible sights you won’t find anywhere else!
Popular destinations for kayaking in Traverse City
Kayaking and paddleboarding in Traverse City offer visitors the opportunity to explore secluded lakes, crystal-clear rivers, and wildlife-filled wetlands that cannot be seen from land.
- Manitou Islands – Manitou Island is a captivating destination for skilled kayakers, offering secluded coves, majestic lighthouses, and ancient trees to explore. Brave adventurers can take on the two-hour trek from Traverse City or join the Isle Transit ferry to shorten their journey – just make sure you’ve got your sea legs ready as this area boasts some of the roughest waters in all of The Great Lakes! A shipwrecked freighter stands amid these stunning wonders – definitely an experience worth paddling out for.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes – If you’re looking for thrills, scenic views, and seclusion all in one place – nothing beats kayaking along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With majestic sand dunes towering above its pristine beaches, this spot can’t be missed! Make sure to explore those secluded stretches of paradise too – perfect for a peaceful escape away from it all.
- Power Island – Adventure awaits just off the coast of Old Mission! Take a scenic 15-mile paddle or launch from Bowers Harbor and you’ll find Power Island, an uninhabited 200-acre gem. Once owned by Henry Ford himself, this heavily wooded paradise features camping grounds for thrill seekers, hiking trails to explore with your crew, sandy beaches perfect for swimming, and spectacular picnic spots where unforgettable memories are made!
- Grand Traverse Bay – Kayaking the Bay is an adventure for all levels of adventurers. Stretching over 20 miles from end-to-end, explore a multitude of routes along Traverse City’s coasts and bays – with 4 to 5-mile-wide waters as far eastward towards Leelanau Peninsula or westward around Old Mission; you’re sure to find your perfect paddle route!
- If you’re looking for an even more thrilling experience, there are also whitewater rapids on some of the rivers in the area such as the Boardman. Boardman Lake, just a stone’s throw from downtown, offers the perfect escape! Boasting three launch sites and plenty of feathered friends all year round – including those stopping by during their migrations – it’s one lake you don’t want to miss out on exploring!
- Silver Lake – Silver Lake is a hidden gem just south of Traverse City. Paddle through its 8+ acres of islands and snaking shoreline or explore the forests that line its banks. Get active on volleyball, and basketball courts or simply unwind in one the idyllic sandy beaches – perfect for swimming! Don’t forget to bring your little ones along too as there’s plenty here with picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, and pavilions galore!
For Traverse City Kayak, Bike, SUP Rentals and Tours – CLICK HERE!
Some Kayak tours to check out!
- Elk Rapids Tour “Food, Booze, and Cruise” – A guided tour in your amazing one of a kind see through kayaks. With a delicious lunch, drinks from Shorts Brewery, and fun in the sun!
- Traverse City “Wine Dine and Unwind Tour” – This wine, dine, and unwind tour is a must in our amazing see-through kayaks. Partnering with local wineries, and a local restaurant to give you an experience you won’t forget!
- Traverse City “Twilight Tour” – Enjoy a unique Night Life experience in Traverse City on Clear Water Kayaks that have been retrofitted with LED lights and UV Lights to light up your performance!
- For more Traverse City Kayak, Bike, SUP Rentals, and Tours – CLICK HERE!
Pack Your Bags and Book a Stay with us in Traverse City
Traverse City is the perfect place for outdoor adventurers looking to explore on foot, by bike or in a kayak. With its diverse range of trails and waterways, Traverse City offers something special for everyone – from beginner-friendly routes to challenging mountain biking spots and adrenaline-filled downhill runs.
So BOOK A STAY with Urban Bay Escapes – pack your bags and get ready for some unforgettable outdoor adventures that will make your vacation truly memorable!
