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Snowshoeing in Traverse City - miles of recreational trails that are perfect for snowshoeing.
Most of the area’s trail systems are used by both snowshoers and cross-country skiers, and many are also groomed for
cross-country skiing. Show respect on the trail by keeping to one side of the groomed portion of the trail and staying out
of the ski tracks.
In Traverse City
Boardman Valley Trails
The Grand Traverse County Natural Education Reserve is a 420-acre tract that includes excellent habitat for beaver, otter,
mink, fox, deer, and many other animals and birds. Created as a "natural environmental classroom for area youth," it has
nearly 7 miles of improved trails along the Boardman River with boardwalks, bridges and scenic overlooks. Four trails can be
accessed from Cass Road, while another three can be reached from Keystone Road. Just north of the reserve (and
connected to it) is a small trail system operated by the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA on South Airport Road. For trail maps and
information, go to www.gtcd.org/trailmaps/.
Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area
The 19th century designers of the former Northern Michigan Asylum set aside hundreds of acres of meadow, forest and
steep bluffs where inmates of the institution could refresh their spirits and restore their peace of mind. Today the former
asylum with its castle-like buildings is the Grand Traverse Commons, a mixed use development on the city’s West Side,
with over 300 acres of trails that can easily be accessed from six different trailheads. For maps and information, go to
www.gtcd.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/commons-trailsmap1v2007.pdf.
Vasa Pathway
Home of the North American Vasa cross-country ski race, the Vasa Pathway features a series of loops (3K, 5K, 10K, 25K)
and is maintained and groomed primarily for cross country skiing. Used by a wide variety of visitors because of its natural
beauty and location, the Pathway is a place where good trail manners are extremely important. To reach the trailhead,
follow US31 to Bunker Hill Road, turn right on Bartlett, and left into the trailhead parking area. The trail is well-marked. For
information and maps go to www.traversetrails.org/trails/vasa/.
Timber Ridge (fee)
The Timber Ridge RV Resort & Campground maintains its own 5K groomed trail system (lighted at night). What’s more, its
trails link up to the 60 kilometers of VASA trails in the nearby Pere Marquette State Forest. Cost to use the trails is $3-$7,
and snowshoes can be rented from the Resort for $5 per person. Timber Ridge is located at 4050 Hammond Rd. For
information call 800-909-2327.
Hickory Hills (fee)/Hickory Meadows
Hickory Hills is a charming 125-acre day ski area operated by the City of Traverse City in the hills west of town. The facility
includes 5 kilometers of ski and snowshoe trails. Cost for their use is $4 per person. Just downhill and adjoining the ski
area is Hickory Meadows, a 112.5-acre site with several miles of free trails that meander through meadows and upland
forests. Both areas can be accessed from the parking lot at the end of Randolph Street.
Old Mission Peninsula
Old Mission Point
At the tip of the narrow Old Mission Peninsula, about 18 miles from Traverse City, the charming little Old Mission
Lighthouse stands above a vast rocky shoal, surrounded by a 513-acre park crisscrossed by 7.5 miles of trails through
forests and upland meadows. The trails can be accessed at several points, but the most scenic trailhead is at the
lighthouse itself. Take Center Road (M-37) to the very end of the peninsula.
Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve
This 140-acre nature area near Bowers Harbor, about 20 minutes drive from Traverse City, features a mile-long loop of trail
through a unique wooded dune ridge area that’s home to winter wrens, woodpeckers, and owls. The trailhead is on Pyatt
Road, just off Neahtawanta Road. For information and maps go to www.gtrlc.org/pdf/PyattTrails.pdf.
East of Town
Sand Lakes Quiet Area
A 2,800-acre nature area that’s off-limits to motorized vehicles of any kind, the Sand Lakes Quiet Area includes 11 miles of
trails that meander through beautiful oak-pine forest and around five small jewel-like lakes. The trails range from easy to
moderate, and can provide a great opportunity for viewing deer, turkeys, squirrels, woodland songbirds and other wildlife.
About five miles east of Traverse City on M-72, turn right onto Broomhead Road and continue for 3.5 miles to the Sand
Lakes parking area on the left (east) side of the road.
Grass River Natural Area
Located between Alden and Bellaire on Antrim County's Chain of Lakes, the Grass River Natural Area comprises 1,325 acres
along the pristine Grass River, with 7.5 miles of trails that winding through upland forests and along raised boardwalks
above floating sedges. It’s a favorite haunt for winter birds and mammals, and snowshoes are one of the best ways to see
it. The Natural Area entrance is on Alden Highway (Co. Road 618), 4 miles northeast of Alden. For information and maps, go
to www.grassriver.org/.
Shanty Creek Resorts (fee)
This 4,500-acre ski and golf resort maintains 21 kilometers of trails through forests of snow-laden hardwoods and pines that
connect its two ski villages, Schuss Mountain and The Summit. (Much of Shanty’s trail system is used in the annual White
Pine Stampede ski race in early February.) A trail pass costs $9-$12, and snowshoes can be rented for $16. For information,
directions and maps go to www.shantycreek.com/snowsports/xcountrymap.pdf.
South of Town
Brown Bridge Quiet Area
This city-owned 1,310-acre nature study area is perched on bluffs above a pond on the Boardman River, 11 miles southeast
of town. There are trails to the north and south of the pond, where it’s common to spot bald eagles, osprey and red-
shouldered hawks in winter. Boardwalks and wildlife overlooks are scattered throughout the area. To reach the trails, take
Garfield Road south, turn left at Hobbs Highway and right on Ranch Rudolf Road. There are two parking lots on the right.
For information and maps go to www.gtcd.org/photos/bbmap.jpg
Muncie Lakes Pathway
Just 1.5 miles beyond the Brown Bridge Quiet Area, the Muncie Lakes Pathway has 11.5 miles of trails that wander past
small lakes and skirt the banks of the swift-flowing Boardman River, with overlooks of the Boardman Valley in the Pere
Marquette State Forest, with five loops ranging in size from 0.95 to 5.35 miles long. (This is another groomed trail that’s
used extensively by cross-country skiers, so proper snowshoe etiquette is a must.) To reach the trailhead, follow the
directions to Brown Bridge and continue to Muncie Lake Road. For information and maps contact the Traverse City
Michigan DNR office at 231-922-5280.
West of Town
Lake Ann Pathway
This popular trail system near the village of Lake Ann is divided into two distinctly different loops. The 3.5 mile western
loop is a roller-coaster trail that passes two small inland lakes and a short section of the Platte River. The 1.8-mile eastern
portion meanders gently along the Platte and the shoreline of Lake Ann. To reach it, take North Long Lake Road to Almira
Road, turn right and follow the road through the village to Reynolds Road and Head south (left) for about a mile. For
information and maps contact the Traverse City Michigan DNR office at 231-922-5280.
Lost Lake Pathway
This gentle 6.3-mile trail in the Pere Marquette State Forest near Interlochen follows the bed of an old timber-era railroad,
passing a small forest lake and scenic blueberry bogs and traversing a rare stand of old-growth red pine.
The trailhead is located within the Lake Dubonnet State Forest Campground, which can be reached by following US 31
west from Interlochen and turning right on Wildwood Road.
For information and maps contact the Traverse City Michigan DNR office at 231-922-5280.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
One of the area’s most beautiful landscapes becomes even lovelier in winter, when the Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore becomes the haunt of snowshoers and cross-country skiers. The park’s 13 trails range from 1.5 miles to 14.7
miles in length, and offer opportunities for hikers of all ability levels. On Saturdays during January and February,
snowshoers can also explore the trails with a National Park ranger. Guided hikes begin at 1 p.m. at the Philip A. Hart
Visitor Center in Empire. For information and maps, or to make a reservation for a guided hike, call the Visitor Center at
231-326-5134, ext. 328.
Rental Equipment
Brick Wheels (231) 947-4274
Grand Traverse Cycle & Fitness (231) 941-4868
McLain Cycle & Fitness (231) 941-8855 McLain also leads weekly snowshoe hikes throughout the winter months, starting
after Jan.1
Shanty Creek Resorts (800) 678-4111
Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort (800) 909-2327
Most of the area’s trail systems are used by both snowshoers and cross-country skiers, and many are also groomed for
cross-country skiing. Show respect on the trail by keeping to one side of the groomed portion of the trail and staying out
of the ski tracks.
In Traverse City
Boardman Valley Trails
The Grand Traverse County Natural Education Reserve is a 420-acre tract that includes excellent habitat for beaver, otter,
mink, fox, deer, and many other animals and birds. Created as a "natural environmental classroom for area youth," it has
nearly 7 miles of improved trails along the Boardman River with boardwalks, bridges and scenic overlooks. Four trails can be
accessed from Cass Road, while another three can be reached from Keystone Road. Just north of the reserve (and
connected to it) is a small trail system operated by the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA on South Airport Road. For trail maps and
information, go to www.gtcd.org/trailmaps/.
Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area
The 19th century designers of the former Northern Michigan Asylum set aside hundreds of acres of meadow, forest and
steep bluffs where inmates of the institution could refresh their spirits and restore their peace of mind. Today the former
asylum with its castle-like buildings is the Grand Traverse Commons, a mixed use development on the city’s West Side,
with over 300 acres of trails that can easily be accessed from six different trailheads. For maps and information, go to
www.gtcd.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/commons-trailsmap1v2007.pdf.
Vasa Pathway
Home of the North American Vasa cross-country ski race, the Vasa Pathway features a series of loops (3K, 5K, 10K, 25K)
and is maintained and groomed primarily for cross country skiing. Used by a wide variety of visitors because of its natural
beauty and location, the Pathway is a place where good trail manners are extremely important. To reach the trailhead,
follow US31 to Bunker Hill Road, turn right on Bartlett, and left into the trailhead parking area. The trail is well-marked. For
information and maps go to www.traversetrails.org/trails/vasa/.
Timber Ridge (fee)
The Timber Ridge RV Resort & Campground maintains its own 5K groomed trail system (lighted at night). What’s more, its
trails link up to the 60 kilometers of VASA trails in the nearby Pere Marquette State Forest. Cost to use the trails is $3-$7,
and snowshoes can be rented from the Resort for $5 per person. Timber Ridge is located at 4050 Hammond Rd. For
information call 800-909-2327.
Hickory Hills (fee)/Hickory Meadows
Hickory Hills is a charming 125-acre day ski area operated by the City of Traverse City in the hills west of town. The facility
includes 5 kilometers of ski and snowshoe trails. Cost for their use is $4 per person. Just downhill and adjoining the ski
area is Hickory Meadows, a 112.5-acre site with several miles of free trails that meander through meadows and upland
forests. Both areas can be accessed from the parking lot at the end of Randolph Street.
Old Mission Peninsula
Old Mission Point
At the tip of the narrow Old Mission Peninsula, about 18 miles from Traverse City, the charming little Old Mission
Lighthouse stands above a vast rocky shoal, surrounded by a 513-acre park crisscrossed by 7.5 miles of trails through
forests and upland meadows. The trails can be accessed at several points, but the most scenic trailhead is at the
lighthouse itself. Take Center Road (M-37) to the very end of the peninsula.
Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve
This 140-acre nature area near Bowers Harbor, about 20 minutes drive from Traverse City, features a mile-long loop of trail
through a unique wooded dune ridge area that’s home to winter wrens, woodpeckers, and owls. The trailhead is on Pyatt
Road, just off Neahtawanta Road. For information and maps go to www.gtrlc.org/pdf/PyattTrails.pdf.
East of Town
Sand Lakes Quiet Area
A 2,800-acre nature area that’s off-limits to motorized vehicles of any kind, the Sand Lakes Quiet Area includes 11 miles of
trails that meander through beautiful oak-pine forest and around five small jewel-like lakes. The trails range from easy to
moderate, and can provide a great opportunity for viewing deer, turkeys, squirrels, woodland songbirds and other wildlife.
About five miles east of Traverse City on M-72, turn right onto Broomhead Road and continue for 3.5 miles to the Sand
Lakes parking area on the left (east) side of the road.
Grass River Natural Area
Located between Alden and Bellaire on Antrim County's Chain of Lakes, the Grass River Natural Area comprises 1,325 acres
along the pristine Grass River, with 7.5 miles of trails that winding through upland forests and along raised boardwalks
above floating sedges. It’s a favorite haunt for winter birds and mammals, and snowshoes are one of the best ways to see
it. The Natural Area entrance is on Alden Highway (Co. Road 618), 4 miles northeast of Alden. For information and maps, go
to www.grassriver.org/.
Shanty Creek Resorts (fee)
This 4,500-acre ski and golf resort maintains 21 kilometers of trails through forests of snow-laden hardwoods and pines that
connect its two ski villages, Schuss Mountain and The Summit. (Much of Shanty’s trail system is used in the annual White
Pine Stampede ski race in early February.) A trail pass costs $9-$12, and snowshoes can be rented for $16. For information,
directions and maps go to www.shantycreek.com/snowsports/xcountrymap.pdf.
South of Town
Brown Bridge Quiet Area
This city-owned 1,310-acre nature study area is perched on bluffs above a pond on the Boardman River, 11 miles southeast
of town. There are trails to the north and south of the pond, where it’s common to spot bald eagles, osprey and red-
shouldered hawks in winter. Boardwalks and wildlife overlooks are scattered throughout the area. To reach the trails, take
Garfield Road south, turn left at Hobbs Highway and right on Ranch Rudolf Road. There are two parking lots on the right.
For information and maps go to www.gtcd.org/photos/bbmap.jpg
Muncie Lakes Pathway
Just 1.5 miles beyond the Brown Bridge Quiet Area, the Muncie Lakes Pathway has 11.5 miles of trails that wander past
small lakes and skirt the banks of the swift-flowing Boardman River, with overlooks of the Boardman Valley in the Pere
Marquette State Forest, with five loops ranging in size from 0.95 to 5.35 miles long. (This is another groomed trail that’s
used extensively by cross-country skiers, so proper snowshoe etiquette is a must.) To reach the trailhead, follow the
directions to Brown Bridge and continue to Muncie Lake Road. For information and maps contact the Traverse City
Michigan DNR office at 231-922-5280.
West of Town
Lake Ann Pathway
This popular trail system near the village of Lake Ann is divided into two distinctly different loops. The 3.5 mile western
loop is a roller-coaster trail that passes two small inland lakes and a short section of the Platte River. The 1.8-mile eastern
portion meanders gently along the Platte and the shoreline of Lake Ann. To reach it, take North Long Lake Road to Almira
Road, turn right and follow the road through the village to Reynolds Road and Head south (left) for about a mile. For
information and maps contact the Traverse City Michigan DNR office at 231-922-5280.
Lost Lake Pathway
This gentle 6.3-mile trail in the Pere Marquette State Forest near Interlochen follows the bed of an old timber-era railroad,
passing a small forest lake and scenic blueberry bogs and traversing a rare stand of old-growth red pine.
The trailhead is located within the Lake Dubonnet State Forest Campground, which can be reached by following US 31
west from Interlochen and turning right on Wildwood Road.
For information and maps contact the Traverse City Michigan DNR office at 231-922-5280.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
One of the area’s most beautiful landscapes becomes even lovelier in winter, when the Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore becomes the haunt of snowshoers and cross-country skiers. The park’s 13 trails range from 1.5 miles to 14.7
miles in length, and offer opportunities for hikers of all ability levels. On Saturdays during January and February,
snowshoers can also explore the trails with a National Park ranger. Guided hikes begin at 1 p.m. at the Philip A. Hart
Visitor Center in Empire. For information and maps, or to make a reservation for a guided hike, call the Visitor Center at
231-326-5134, ext. 328.
Rental Equipment
Brick Wheels (231) 947-4274
Grand Traverse Cycle & Fitness (231) 941-4868
McLain Cycle & Fitness (231) 941-8855 McLain also leads weekly snowshoe hikes throughout the winter months, starting
after Jan.1
Shanty Creek Resorts (800) 678-4111
Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort (800) 909-2327
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