Living in Michigan my whole life, I’m still finding new parks to explore each year. Lush forests and miles of Great Lakes coastlines allow for plenty of hidden gem Michigan hikes.
Explore a bit off the beaten path at these lesser known parks in Michigan…
3 Hidden Gem Michigan Hikes
- Deerfield Nature Park
- Iargo Springs
- North Ottawa Dunes
Michigan Hikes Map
Deerfield Nature Park
2425 W Remus Rd, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Park Details
Parking: Medium-sized gravel parking lot
Restrooms: Vault toilets located in parking area and throughout the park
Dog-Friendly: Yes, except in the winter on groomed cross-country skiing trails
Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat, the trails have natural dirt paths but are mostly flat
Fee: County Parks Pass or $6 daily fee required
Perfect for you if… you love admiring wooden bridges.
Hike Over the Chippewa River and Through Wooden Bridges
My favorite part of hiking through Deerfield Nature Park was finding all of the wooden bridges along the paths. There are 4 unique wooden bridges here, but we only made it to 3 of them on our visit. Definitely need to hike here again to find the last one!
Besides the 8 miles of hiking trails, Deerfield also has disc golf courses, rustic camping, and a canoe/kayak launch for the Chippewa River. Truly a hidden gem park in the heart of Michigan!
Iargo Springs
Iargo Road, Oscoda, MI, 48750
Park Details
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking lot
Restrooms: Vault toilets in parking lot
Dog-Friendly: No, dogs are not allowed
Stroller-Friendly: No, there are lots of steps here at Iargo Springs – a baby carrier would be a better option
Fee: None
Perfect for you if… want to experience the beauty of natural springs.
Experience the Beauty of Natural Springs Flowing All Around You
Iargo Springs is a magical place.
From the top of the trailhead, you can take in a panoramic view of the Au Sable River. Then hike down 200 steps to explore the natural springs.
The path is a short 0.8 miles out and back all on wooden steps and boardwalks. A few of the springs have man-made dams to create mini waterfalls and there are several viewing decks of the Au Sable River.
I’ve never experienced anything like Iargo Springs before in Michigan. Everywhere you look are natural springs flowing up from the ground all around the boardwalks. Such a beautiful sight!
Note: Iargo Springs will be closed in 2024 for park improvements.
North Ottawa Dunes
18201 N Shore Rd, Spring Lake, MI 49456
Park Details
Parking: Medium-sized paved parking lot
Restrooms: Modern restrooms in parking lot and at North Beach (open seasonally)
Dog-Friendly: Dogs are welcome on leash, except for the dune stairs
Stroller-Friendly: Somewhat, but the trails sandy. The scenic outlook of Lake Michigan has lots of steps, which you could choose to skip.
Fee: None
Perfect for you if… you love a scenic view of Lake Michigan.
Take a Stair Climb for a Gorgeous View of Lake Michigan
With 10 miles of wooded hiking trails and an epic stair climb for Lake Michigan views, North Ottawa Dunes is one of my new favorite hikes.
Plus, the North Ottawa Dunes trails connect to North Beach Park and PJ Hoffmaster State Park for more even adventures.
Cheers to a Year Full of New Michigan Hikes
I hope you get to enjoy these hidden gem Michigan hikes!
As always, leave no trace if you visit and stay on designated trails to protect the local ecosystem. Bring out whatever you bring with you tokeep these parks clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
