Hike your home state — Bucketlist Field Guide
Trails by State · All 50

Hike your home state

The standout trail in every US state — with mileage, elevation gain, difficulty, season notes, and a live trail map. Pick a state and start planning the next weekend out.

Top trails in Michigan (10)

Pictured Rocks NL
Hard
Chapel Loop

Sea-cliff cliffs over Lake Superior. 4 mi with about 800 ft of elevation gain. This is a challenging hike with real elevation and exposure in places; start early, pack layers, and check current trail conditions before you go.

Distance:
10.4 mi
Gain:
800 ft
Type:
Loop
Porcupine Mountains
Moderate
Escarpment Trail

Big-water view over Lake of the Clouds. 3 mi with about 500 ft of elevation gain. Expect a steady workout with some sustained climbing — solid footwear and a couple of liters of water are recommended.

Distance:
4.3 mi
Gain:
500 ft
Type:
Point to Point
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
Hard
Dune Climb

Steep sand climb to Lake Michigan overlooks. 5 mi with about 450 ft of elevation gain. This is a challenging hike with real elevation and exposure in places; start early, pack layers, and check current trail conditions before you go.

Distance:
3.5 mi
Gain:
450 ft
Type:
Out & Back
Isle Royale NP
Strenuous
Greenstone Ridge

Spine of America's least-visited national park. 0 mi with about 4,500 ft of elevation gain. Treat this as a full alpine day: pre-dawn start, extra food and water, navigation tools, and a weather check the morning of are non-negotiable.

Distance:
40.0 mi
Gain:
4,500 ft
Type:
Point to Point
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
Hard
Dune Climb to Lake Michigan

Ascend the dunes for an exhilarating sand-run to the lake. 5 mi with about 450 ft of elevation gain. This is a challenging hike with real elevation and exposure in places; start early, pack layers, and check current trail conditions before you go.

Distance:
3.5 mi
Gain:
450 ft
Type:
Out & Back
Tahquamenon Falls SP
Moderate
Tahquamenon River Trail

Connects the dramatic Upper and Lower Falls. 4 mi with about 300 ft of elevation gain. Expect a steady workout with some sustained climbing — solid footwear and a couple of liters of water are recommended.

Distance:
8.4 mi
Gain:
300 ft
Type:
Point to Point
Isle Royale NP
Easy
Stoll Memorial Trail

Scoville Point loop with classic Isle Royale coves. 2 mi with about 200 ft of elevation gain. It is a beginner-friendly route that families and casual day hikers can comfortably complete, even in shoulder seasons.

Distance:
4.2 mi
Gain:
200 ft
Type:
Loop
Porcupine Mountains SP
Easy
Lake of the Clouds Overlook

Iconic escarpment view over a wilderness lake in the western UP. 1 mi with about 300 ft of elevation gain. It is a beginner-friendly route that families and casual day hikers can comfortably complete, even in shoulder seasons.

Distance:
2.1 mi
Gain:
300 ft
Type:
Out & Back
Pictured Rocks NL
Hard
Mosquito Falls & Chapel Falls Loop

Two waterfalls plus cliff-top views over Lake Superior's painted shore. 2 mi with about 550 ft of elevation gain. This is a challenging hike with real elevation and exposure in places; start early, pack layers, and check current trail conditions before you go.

Distance:
10.2 mi
Gain:
550 ft
Type:
Loop