Michigan

explore like never before

Get Custom Travel guides packed with local tips
Nature|Hiking

Take An Easy Loop Trail To Enter Another World At Pigeon Creek Park In Michigan

Pigeon Creek Park in West Olive, Michigan, offers a serene 1.7-mile loop trail with beautiful scenery and year-round activities.

Published May 16, 2020

Written by 

Sophie Boudreau

There’s something undeniably soothing about spending time in the natural world. Whether you’re embarking on a lengthy camping trip or simply stepping outside to get some fresh air, nothing refreshes the senses like a healthy dose of greenery and sunlight. One loop trail here in the Great Lakes State is a perfect option for those who want to stretch their legs while appreciating incredible scenery.

Pigeon Creek Park is located at 12524 Stanton St in West Olive.

alt
Google Maps

This West Michigan gem is popular among nature-loving locals, but it might have flown under the radar of Michiganders who don’t live nearby. There’s so much to discover.

advertisement
alt
Google Reviews/Pigeon Creek Park

The park itself spans an impressive 444 acres and offers activities throughout the year, from skiing to strolling to picnicking with family. Its natural beauty is undeniable.

alt
TripAdvisor/rabever

When you visit, you’ll find multiple hiking options — but we recommend the Pigeon Creek Short Loop for those seeking a serene outing in the Great Lakes State.

alt
Google Reviews/Sarah Gareau

This 1.7-mile loop trail is typically uncrowded and offers access to some of the prettiest scenery throughout the park. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a whole new world.

alt
TripAdvisor/JenRen49424

Along the trail, gaze up at towering trees and appreciate an abundance of flora and fauna. In every season, the atmosphere here can be described as picturesque.

alt
Google Reviews/Cruz Nunez

If you’re ready to rest, you’ll find benches along the way. You can even bring your dog along (on a leash, of course) when you check out the Pigeon Creek Short Loop.

advertisement
alt
Google Reviews/Alicia Phipps

The next time you’re seeking a nature-based outing that will help you reconnect with the splendor of the great outdoors, look no further than Michigan’s Pigeon Creek Park.

alt
TripAdvisor/JenRen49424

To learn more about this simple loop trail and the many other offerings at Pigeon Creek, click here. Have you explored this beautiful destination during previous family outings? Share your experiences below or recommend another spot by filling out our nomination form here.

For more outdoor fun, check out this lovely nature preserve trail in Michigan.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Hiking

Skip the Crowds: Explore Michigan’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

Seeking solace in silence? These five amazing hiking trails in Michigan are perfect for the occasion.

Published Nov 6, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Michigan is a beautiful place with amazing landscapes, scenery, wonders, and more -- and the best way to explore the Great Lakes State is on foot! I've compiled a list of five of the best hikes in Michigan for anyone who dislikes crowds. These trails are known for being nice and peaceful - especially if you show up early in the morning during the week - and they're the perfect way to quiet the mind and calm the spirit.

advertisement

How many of these amazing hiking trails in Michigan have you already conquered? How many will you plan to do? Let's see!

Agate Falls Trail

alt
Charity Landskron/AllTrails

Nestled near the town of Trout Creek is the Agate Falls Trail, an amazingly underrated hike in Michigan featuring a pretty epic waterfall and a jaw-dropping bridge. The trail ends without a view of the falls; that's where you get creative. Meander down the hill and you'll be rewarded for your footwork with amazing views of an awesome waterfall.

Mosquito River & North Country Trail

alt
Michelle williams/AllTrails

It's a shame that this incredible hiking trail at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is under-appreciated because it's a doozy. It's long -- just over 21 miles long, to be specific -- but I promise the views are beyond worth it. Known as the Mosquito River and North Country Trail, this incredible adventure is perfect for a multi-day backpacking trip. Remember that dogs are not allowed on this hike, so please plan accordingly! Also, keep in mind that the road leading to the trailhead closes after the first snowfall of the year - so squeeze it in before then!

Addison Oaks County Park Loop

alt
Kurt Golding/AllTrails

With occasional peeks at the nearby lake and plenty of moderately challenging ups and downs, this gorgeous hiking trail at Addison Oaks County Park is a dream come true for hikers yearning for solitary adventurin'. At six miles in length, this beautiful hike is amazing through early autumn, when the surrounding foliage comes ablaze with brilliant color. dogs are welcome on this one, so plan to bring 'em (as long as they're on leashes.) Entry is $5 per car per day, so plan ahead. Maintain situational awareness: this hike shares a path with mountain bikers, so be careful not to get run over!

Belle Isle Lighthouse & Blue Heron Lagoon Trail

alt
Jen H/AllTrails

Hidden away near Detroit is a gorgeous little trail that, like the others on this list, simply doesn't get the love and attention it deserves. The Belle Isle Lighthouse & Blue Heron Lagoon Trail is quite easy, and at just over two miles long, it's doable by most folks. On this trail, you'll wander the eastern end of Belle Isle, taking in the amazing sights and probably falling in love with Michigan all over again. This one's nice and short if you don't stop - but what's the fun in that? I definitely recommend stopping to take in the views as much as you can get away with; this area is absolutely stunning, and it's a tragedy that it's so little-loved!

advertisement

Wing Haven Reserve Trillium Woods Trail

alt
Jenny Diakolambrianos/AllTrails

Last on this list but certainly not least by any means, the Wing Haven Reserve Trillium Woods Trail is an adventure waiting to happen. This trail is easy-peasy and short, coming in at under one mile in length (making it excellent for families with kids), and the scenery is absolutely wonderful. Michigan is a magical state, and this hike (all of the hikes on this list, really) beautifully illustrates this. This hike is popular with wildlife watchers and birders, though you'll probably get it to yourself if you show up early during the week. Life in Michigan is beautiful... come out and enjoy it!

So, what do you think? If you're hoping to take your hiking to the next level, be sure to also check out AllTrails Plus; I personally don't know what I ever did hiking before I had it. Have you hiked any of these amazing hiking trails in Michigan? Do you plan to? Let me know!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Hiking

This Natural Wonder in Michigan Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

Wagner Falls is a hidden gem natural wonder in Michigan just a few minutes south of Munising, a charming Upper Peninsula town on Lake Superior.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the Lake Superior side of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is undoubtedly one of the premier natural wonders in Michigan. Its dramatic shoreline, wooded bluffs, and unspeakably blue water draw thousands of visitors every year.

advertisement
A rocky shoreline with lush green trees, overlooking a calm blue lake under a clear sky.
Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

But, as all we Michiganders know, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is far from the only natural wonder in the Great Lakes State - or the Upper Peninsula. Heck, it's not even the only natural wonder in the Pictured Rocks area! For example, just a few minutes south of Munising, where Pictured Rocks is headquartered and where you'll find a couple of the park's units, there's another natural wonder that just doesn't get the same kind of attention or visitorship that the National Park does.

Sign for Wagner Falls Scenic Site, surrounded by trees and snow, indicating a nature area for visitors.
Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

I'm talking about Wagner Falls Scenic Site. This hidden gem is sandwiched between the Hiawatha National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore about five minutes south of Munising. The small parking area and trail head are located on a forested bend along Michigan Hwy. M-94, so it's easy to miss. But you should definitely keep your eye for it - because the short hike to this hidden gem natural wonder is most assuredly worth it.

According to AllTrails Plus, the total distance of the hike is only about a quarter of a mile - that's round trip, out and back. I last visited in early spring, and parts of the trail were muddy, so watch out for that if the weather has been wet. But a good portion of the trail is a boardwalk, as well, which made going a little easier.

A wooden bridge winding through a forest, surrounded by trees and patches of snow, with sunlight filtering through.
Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

You'll follow the trail through quiet woods along a stream - Wagner Creek - the sound of rushing water becoming louder as you draw closer to a wooden viewing platform. And from there, you'll be treated to a lovely view of the multi-tiered cascade that makes up Wagner Falls. It's certainly not the tallest waterfall in Michigan (maybe 20 or 30 feet from base to precipice), but its setting in an old-growth pine and hemlock forest and the intimate viewing experience, I think, make it one of the prettiest.

A serene waterfall cascades over rocks, surrounded by lush greenery and autumn leaves.
Kenneth_Keifer/Getty Images

There are no amenities, e.g., water or restrooms, at this site, but again, it's mere minutes from Munising, as well as Pictured Rocks' Munising Falls Visitor Center, where you'll find plenty of services. Have you hiked to Wagner Falls? What are some of your favorite hidden gem natural wonders in Michigan? Bet sure to tell us about them on our nominations page.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature
Hiking

Skip the Crowds: Explore Illinois’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

by Tori Jane
on Nov 14
alt
Nature
Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in Kansas Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

by Trent Jonas
on Nov 13
alt
Stays
Vacation Rentals

The Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Louisiana is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

by Jackie Sutherlin
on Nov 13
alt
Nature
Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Northern California Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

by Beth Copenhaver
on Nov 13
alt
Nature
Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Southern California Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

by Megan Todaro
on Nov 13
alt