An annual effort to shine a light on our vast trails network and elevate Michigan's reputation as the Trails State



Share or view as webpage [ [link removed] ]? |? Update preferences [ [link removed] ]


DNR banner with link to website [ [link removed] ]
"DNR News"



Sept. 14, 2022
Contact: Tim Novak <[email protected]>,?state trails coordinator, 517-388-8347

Michigan Trails Week, Sept. 18-25, a great time to discover what makes us the Trails State

Mother walking with two children on trail

In Michigan, four-season motorized and nonmotorized trail recreation is the name of the game.

Whether you?re into hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, off-roading or paddling, there are 13,400 miles of state-designated trails waiting for you.?And, that number doesn't account for the thousands of miles of local, county and federal trails in Michigan.

"Historically, trails have connected people to places they want or need to go. In fact, the state?s first roads were Native American trails," said Tim Novak,?state trails coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. "Today, Michigan's trails network connects people, communities and places of interest, while providing stellar outdoor recreation opportunities, health and wellness benefits and?transportation options."

Michigan Trails Week is an annual effort to shine a light on Michigan's vast trails network and elevate the resources and opportunities that continue to build our reputation as the Trails State. This year, Michigan Trails Week runs Sept. 18-25.?



Treat yourself to trails

The DNR encourages Michiganders to pay tribute to and enjoy Michigan?s extraordinary trails system during these eight days ? and get some inspiration for trail treks all year long!

It can be as simple as finding a new trail adventure, revisiting a favorite route, sharing a photo or memory with a friend or making it social. Follow MiStateParks on both Facebook [ [link removed] ] and Instagram [ [link removed] ]?for ideas on making the most of Michigan Trails Week.?

Lend a hand

You can also show your love for Michigan trails by helping keep them in the best shape for everyone to enjoy safely. More than 150 DNR-associated volunteer groups hold trail workdays throughout the year. Volunteers help with brush removal, sign installation and maintenance, general trail cleanups, snow grooming, dirt grading and even grant writing.

Interested in getting involved? For ORV or snowmobile trail volunteering, contact Jessica Holley-Roehrs at [email protected]. <[email protected]>?For nonmotorized trails volunteering, contact?Tim Novak at [email protected] <[email protected]>. Please?put "VOLUNTEER" in the subject line.?

Trails Week is also a good time to direct support [ [link removed] ] to your favorite trail or toward project goals within a specific category such as water trails, snowmobile trails or ORV trails ? it all helps to elevate the hard work of our volunteers and trail partners.

2022 trails news

* As part of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer?s Building Michigan Together Plan, a total of $250 million in federal relief funding [ [link removed] ] was made available to the DNR to help address its long list of critical needs in Michigan state parks and trails. This includes $37.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for trails projects across the state, the majority of which will be announced in the near future.
* Just last week, the DNR was one of four partner agencies signing onto a Binational Trail memorandum of understanding [ [link removed] ] to guide development and promotion of cross-border trail tourism experiences on both sides ? Windsor and Ontario ? of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, set to open to traffic in 2024. Much of the promotion will center on the nonmotorized transportation (cycling and walking) infrastructure features of the new bridge, as well as opportunities to encourage conservation, healthy living and better quality of life.
* A new, comprehensive statewide trails plan?? built around the concept of "explore, connect, sustain" ? provides a framework, over 10 years, for the DNR's management of more than 13,400 miles of state-designated motorized and nonmotorized trails and pathways.?The 2022-2032 Michigan DNR Trails Plan [ [link removed] ]?recognizes the evolution of diverse trail opportunities statewide, balances the many priorities placed on public lands and waters, and identifies key goals toward ensuring the relevance and quality of the state's trails network.
* Three trails communities were recognized as Pure Michigan? Trail Towns [ [link removed] ]. The city of Big Rapids, the city of Cadillac and the village of Elk Rapids received this designation for offering quality trail experiences that rank among the best of the best in the state.?
* Many trails are built on abandoned railroad corridors and are fondly known as "rail-trails." Michigan just happens to have more miles of these linear ? and often longer ? trails than any other state. This year, the Michigan History Center's?Heritage Trails Program [ [link removed] ] finished installing 11 signs interpreting the natural and cultural history along the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park [ [link removed] ], a 34-mile rail-trail in Livingston, Ingham and Jackson counties.
* The Iron Belle Trail [ [link removed] ], the longest designated state trail in the nation, is 71% complete. Using existing trails, networks and new connections, the trail extends more than 2,000 miles (along two separate hiking and biking routes) from the far western tip of the Upper Peninsula in Ironwood to Belle Isle in Detroit.

*No matter how you plan to enjoy Michigan Trails Week ? walk, run, paddle or ride ? get started at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails [ [link removed] ].*

________________________________________________________________________

*Note to editors:* Accompanying photos are available below for download. All photos courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources unless noted otherwise.


*

Horseback riding [ [link removed] ] at Fort Custer Recreation Area in Kalamazoo County. Photo courtesy of Pure Michigan.


*

Bicyclists [ [link removed] ] riding?Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park in Hamburg Township.


*

ATV trail riding [ [link removed] ] between Champion and Big Bay in Marquette County.


* Visitor snowshoeing [ [link removed] ] at Indian Lake State Park in Schoolcraft County. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with recognition to Michigan state parks photo ambassador Samantha Hageman [ [link removed] ].
* Three visitors walking along trail [ [link removed] ] in Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County.?Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with recognition to Michigan state parks photo ambassador Kari Carr [ [link removed] ].
* Mountain biker [ [link removed] ] riding the?DTE Energy Foundation Trail in Washtenaw County.
* Nine waterways, totaling more than 600 miles, have been selected as state-designated water trails [ [link removed] ].
* Snowmobilers [ [link removed] ] enjoying a ride along Trail No. 160 in Gogebic County.

?




We recently launched a?new website [ [link removed] ], and we?d love to hear what you think via this?brief survey [ [link removed] ]. Thanks for helping us improve our site for all users!

twitter icon circle [ [link removed] ]facebook icon circle [ [link removed] ]YouTube icon circle [ [link removed] ]instagram icon [ [link removed] ]pinterest icon circle [ [link removed] ]email icon circle [ [link removed] ]




If you wish to no longer receive emails from the DNR,
please update your preferences here:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed]? ]??|??Delete Profile [ [link removed] ]? |??Help [ [link removed] ]

Need further assistance?
Contact Us [ [link removed] ]??|??Provide Feedback <[email protected]>

Visit us on our website: Michigan.gov/DNR [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ? Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 ? 1-800-439-1420