Happy New Year, Detroit!! Now that 2025 has FINALLY arrived, here are the Expedition Detroit team's top "New Year's resolutions" to accomplish in Detroit's outdoors this year, covering the most ambitious, exciting, and rewarding experiences that the Detroit region has to offer.
I love the moment that midnight strikes on New Year's Eve.
There's simply an inherent beauty to a new year. Like a skier ready to drop into a pristine powder run, or a paddler launching into perfectly still water. And for so many New Year adventurers, establishing a few ambitious "New Year's Resolutions" can provide the framework for plotting a route through the wilderness of opportunity that is a 2025 spent in the Detroit region's outdoors.
I'm far from being alone in looking forward to setting new goals for a new year. In fact, the "outdoor New Year's Resolutions" social trend is so widespread that there's a growing body of research regarding the science of accomplishing or failing to achieve such goals.
The TL;DR summary of such research includes that successful outdoor New Year's Resolutions typically consist of the following characteristics:
Specific or well-defined (e.g., "Run a half-marathon" vs. "Exercise more")
Framed in positive, actionable terms (e.g., "Eat more broccoli" vs. "Stop eating Big Macs")
Focused on the goal-setter's individualists interests (vs. societal, familial, or work-place expectations)
Keeping these traits in mind, the Expedition Detroit team has curated this list of 10 specific, ambitious, actionable, and rewarding New Year's Resolutions to be accomplished over the next 12 months. Spoiler alert, each of these resolutions directly involve world-class experiences in the Detroit region's outdoors. But these aren't just any experiences - completing any of these goals could easily stand out as your "Outdoor Highlight of 2025."
Oh, and as a little New Year's surprise, we've included a special offering below regarding our 2025 guided trips offerings..!
Here are the top 10 outdoor New Year's resolutions that we will be striving for this year:
1. Ski or Ride ALL of the Big Four Resorts
Mt. Brighton, Alpine Valley, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob Ski Resorts | Skiing or riding down the slopes of each of Detroit's pristine "Big Four" ski resorts
Don't let the recent spring weather fool you - each and every new year for us in Detroit begins in January, during the dead of winter, within a northern climate. Lasting now will return, hopefully sooner than later, and while our backcountry skiing aspirations will be on hold for a bit, Detroit's "Big Four" ski and snowboard resorts are up and running!
In line with our recently updated article on the "Big Four" ski resorts, each of these resorts have special attributes that make them well worth a visit over the next few wintry months. Alpine Valley provides a full-service mountain within a stone's throw of the Detroit region's best hiking, paddling, and mountain biking destinations. Mt. Brighton has state-of-the-art facilities and direct connections to world-class ski resorts around the country. Mt. Holly provides skiers and riders with Up North-caliber vertical terrain. And Pine Knob packs the largest adrenaline punch for our resident terrain park junkies.
Those are just the 30,000 ft. highlights; to get the full experience, take on all four mountains this season and rediscover your love for our local runs! Look for us on the chairlift.
2. Cycle the Border-to-Border Trail
Washtenaw County | Gravel cycle along the newest segments of one of the Detroit region's most transformative trails
Last spring, we wrote a feature article on the explosive growth of the Border-to-Border Trail, including its transformative impact on Washtenaw County's recreational ecosystem and groundbreaking projects. The visionary 55-mile (once complete), 10 foot wide, ADA accessible, paved pathway will provide the critical link between the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park and Waterloo State Recreation Area, Pinckney State Recreation Area, thee Huron-Clinton Metroparks, the Huron River National Water Trail, and countless municipal parks.
What makes the B2B Trail even more exciting for the Detroit region though - really, for all of the Great Lakes region - is its unique place within a larger, international trail ecosystem. ICYMI, Michigan has been solidifying its position as the "Trails State" by building the forthcoming Iron Belle Trail - a 2,000 mile hiking experience that will constitute the longest state-designated trail in the U.S. - connecting Downtown Detroit with Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula. The Iron Belle will form a material portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail - a 4,800 behemoth of a trail stretching from the Green Mountains in Vermont to the buttes of North Dakota - as well as connect directly to the 14,996 mile-long Trans Canada Trail via the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Where does the B2B fit into all of that? Well, the B2B Trail forms the most critical link in the Iron Belle chain, connecting the Detroit region's emergent trail system (including ALL OF CANADA'S) with the expansive North Country Trail. Yeah, it's a huge deal.
This year, cyclists can look forward to riding several newly-completed segments of the B2B Trail. Projects currently slated for completion in 2025 include the following:
Use of the historic Bell Road Bridge to cross Mill Creek, as it connects to the B2B Trail near Forest Lawn Cemetery, will align with an additional 0.8 miles of trail to connect the B2B to the City of Dexter.
Construction of the Barton Bandemer Tunnel which will pass under the railroad line connecting Bandemer Park to Huron River Drive along the B2B Trail.
Van Buren Park to Denton Road and Beckly Road segment, including a 10' pathway and 14' wide pedestrian bridge.
For more updates, including several segments that were completed in late 2024, check out the B2B Trail's "Trail Updates" webpage.
3. Paddle the Entirety of the Huron River National Water Trail
Proud Lake State Recreation Area to Lake Erie Metropark | Multi-day canoe camping adventure along the Detroit Region's longest water trail
Let's stay on the theme of transformative trails, shall we? We have already written extensively on the beauty of the Huron River - especially during peak fall colors - but the true blessing of the river is that it provides an endlessly flowing supply of recreational opportunities. Day paddles, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, camping, hunting along its banks...if you can dream it, chances are the Huron will provide an opportunity to experience it.
In spite of these incredible activities, we must give credit where credit's due and crown the most adventuresome, comprehensive, and awe-inspiring endeavor that one can pursue on the Huron: Thru-paddling the entirety of the Huron River National Water Trail's 104-mile route.
Launching at the headwaters of Proud Lake, the official water trail route guides paddlers through several of the Detroit region's idyllic parks and quintessential trail towns along the journey to Lake Erie. Milford, Dexter, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Flat Rock are the trail's official "Water Trail Towns," although the trail provides for ample exploration opportunities throughout the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, state recreation areas, and other destinations that encompass its surroundings.
There are four official canoe campgrounds along the water trail: Kensington Metropark (appropriately located off of Group Camp Rd.), Island Lake State Recreation Area, Hudson Mills Metropark, and Lower Huron Metropark. As the above map shows, there is quite a stretch between the Hudson Mills and Lower Huron campgrounds - a 38.7 mile stretch. A previous expedition camped at a "secret campground" location referred to as "Superior Pond" to break up this segment, but we are unsure whether this pre-approved "campground" was located on private property.
We'll dig a little deeper into that detail, but for the time being, we would advise maybe breaking up that segment with a night spent in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti. A proper beer, burger, and bed rarely hurt anyone.
As a bonus perk of completing the thru-paddle, you will earn access into the Huron River Watershed Council's "Huron104" Trail Registry. Huron104 lists the names of each successful adventurer that has completed at least 100 distinct miles of the water trail within a calendar year. As of the date of this article, the registry lists only 50 names - half of which were added in 2024.
Is that a comprehensive list of everyone who has completed the trail from point-to-point? Probably not, but it's hard to imagine a better way to add an adventuresome exclamation to this year than joining such an exclusive club.
4. Cycle the Century Challenge during the Milford Bike Fest
Milford, Michigan | Completing a 100 Mile Challenge at Michigan's Quintessential Mountain Biking Festival
Call us jaded, but our taste for adventure drifts subconsciously towards the extreme. The experiences that push our bodies to the limit, demand more energy than we thought we were capable of delivering, and leave us with a newfound appreciation for what the human body is capable of. Several of these resolutions fit into that genre of adventure, but I have to be completely transparent: just the thought of taking on the Milford Bike Fest's "Century Challenge" makes my palms sweat (sorry, keyboard).
The MCMBA-sponsored Milford Bike Fest is, at its core, a celebration of southeast Michigan's mountain biking community. The festival occurs in Milford because of the trail town's central location to five world-class single track mountain biking trails, including the top-tier Highland A-B-C-D loops. While the festival comes complete with live music, complementary drinks, food discounts, and hundreds of your new favorite riding buddies, everyone knows that the main draw of the festival is the Century Challenge.
Here's the challenge: completing a mountain biking ride that covers THE ENTIRETY of all five trail systems that are readily accessible from Downtown Milford over a distance of at least 100 miles. These include the Milford Trail, Highland State Recreation Area, Hickory Glen, Proud Lake State Recreation Area/the Kensington Connector, and Island Lake State Recreation Area. I have biked each of these trail systems independently, and each one packs one hell of a punch. So, the thought of conquering all five in a single day...yeah, that's definitely one way to earn a post-ride beer!
We're crazy enough to give it a go. Please, comrades, join us on this odyssey!
5. Conquer ALL of Detroit's Black Diamond Trails
Bald Mountain, Brighton, and Highland State Recreation Areas | Hiking - or trail running - the trinity of the Detroit region's most difficult trails
When it comes to hiking trails, not all trails are created equal. That's a good thing - you wouldn't want to take someone making their first steps towards a lifelong fitness journey on a summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Such an endeavor would likely kill their drive to ever set foot on a trail again (or just to ever hike with you again).
The same concept holds true for our local hiking trails. Here at Expedition Detroit, we have already covered our area's top-ranked trails for every genre of hiker. We have also wrote about our most accessible trails for venturing out on a night hike. But for this special article - the shoot-for-the-moon "New Year's Resolutions" article - we're aiming for our three toughest, steepest, and most challenging trails: our three "Black Diamond" rated-trails at Bald Mountain, Brighton, and Highland State Recreation Areas.
We wrote a feature on these trails in the past, so we won't recreate the wheel now. What I will state here though is that completing this triple crown of Detroit hiking is no easy feat: the combined stats of these trails are 1,560 feet of elevation gain over 37.6 miles of Southeast Michigan's most rugged, variable, punishing, yet beautiful terrain.
As of the end of 2024, we have been able to complete the Bald Mountain and Highland trail systems. So for 2025, conquering Brighton is a very high priority. Who knows, we may go crazy and try to knock out all three trails in a single day...stay tuned my friends. Stay tuned.
CONQUER HIGHLAND'S A-B-C-D LOOPS WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
6. Bike, Hike, or Run the Entirety of the Trans Canada Trail in Windsor
Windsor, Ontario | Crossing the Gordie Howe Bridge and exploring the extensive trail system located south of the border
In one of our earliest articles, we made a prediction that Detroit will claim its place as the international trails capital of North America. Yes, the State of Michigan's immense investment in trail infrastructure as part of its campaign for Michigan to earn recognition as our nation's "Trails State" has facilitated immense momentum for our city's outdoor recreation economy.
That being said, our Canadian cousins have undeniably acted as pioneers in this space: the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail network in the world covering over 15,000 miles, extends directly to Windsor’s Riverfront Trail.
Will we ever trek across all of the TCT's 15,000 miles, completing an epic journey from the Atlantic waves of St. John's Island to the icebergs of the Northwest Territories? Eh, probably not in this lifetime. However, we very much can - and therefore will - take on the 15.5 miles of its trail that stretch across Windsor's northern shores, including the stunning Riverfront Trail, Malden Park, and Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Preserve.
As a 2025 bonus, the long-awaited Gordie Howe Bridge - including its non-motorized lanes - is FINALLY expected to open towards the end of this year! We can't wait for the opportunity to bike, hike, or run seamlessly from Detroit's greenways to Windsor's trails.
7. Volunteer Alongside our Parks' Best "Friends"
Throughout the Detroit Region | Stewardship volunteer opportunities to eradicate invasive species throughout Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas
One of REI's core marketing slogans has evolved into one of our mantras at Expedition Detroit: "A life outdoors is a life well lived." Well, we would like to revise that slogan a tad: "A life outdoors with friends is a life well lived."
Yes, that could refer to actual, adventurous, human friends, but for this article we're writing about the vast volunteer network of "Friends" organizations of specific parks that accomplish amazing environmental feats throughout our region. We try to regularly spotlight these organizations on our Instagram feed, but groups like the Friends of Maybury State Park, Friends of Point Pelee, and Friends of the Rouge dedicate countless hours towards making our outdoors more accessible, beautiful, and sustainable for generations to come.
During 2025, we humbly ask that you join us in volunteering for one or more outdoor stewardship work days with these "Friends." Aside from earning some good karma for this year, donating your time and muscle to such causes instills a sense of pride and ownership in our outdoors that simple recreation just can't hold a candle to. Don't worry - we will blow up our social media feeds well in advance of those volunteer opportunities, so you'll know exactly where we will be getting our hands dirty at.
8. Run the Detroit Free Press Marathon
Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario | Running in our region's hallmark race across two international border crossings
We've said it once, twice, and will say it proudly a million times more: the Detroit Free Press Marathon is the crown jewel in the treasure trove of Detroit's outdoor events calendar. The race embodies everything that we love about our region's outdoors: breath-taking views from the Ambassador Bridge, international fraternization along the Windsor and Detroit riverfronts, and heartwarming, encouraging interactions with Detroiters and Windsorites throughout the event.
Yes, we are generally more pro-trail running than road running. However, the Detroit Free Press Marathon will forever lure us back on an annual pilgrimage to the concrete labyrinth of Detroit's core routes. We emphatically urge you to join us in this amazing, heart (and lung)-pounding race that briefly turns the attention of the international running community towards our great city.
In 2023, the Expedition Detroit team ran in the International Half-Marathon event - one of my personal favorite races that I've completed several times now. In 2025, we're going for the full 26.2 - and we hope that you will join us in that bucket list-worthy endeavor!
9. Actively (or Passively) Support Conservation
Throughout the Detroit Region | Proactively supporting the conservation of our natural resources through hunting or simply buying a hunting license
Here's an uncomfortable truth for some recreationists: in our sprawling suburban ecosystem, hunting and fishing are vital to the DNR's ongoing conservation efforts. Rapid deer population growth has unleashed mayhem on southeast Michigan's habitat sustainability, vehicular safety, and the environmental longevity of the Great Lakes region. Add in the material detriment of decreasing hunting and fishing license sales on the DNR's annual budget, the net result is that our developed region can't afford to lose its hunters and anglers.
While we strongly encourage anyone looking to lead a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle to consider actively supporting conservation by hunting or fishing in 2025, we adamantly argue that all ethical outdoor recreationists should purchase a hunting and/or fishing license. The DNR desperately needs our participation in its greater conservation mission to properly care for the outdoor spaces that we love.
Actively hunting or fishing gets you in the game, but even just purchasing a license - with no intention of hunting or fishing - will provide the DNR with revenue to reinvest into the sustainability of our wilderness. Easily the best $20 you'll spend this year.
10. Fully Embrace an Outdoor-Centric Lifestyle
Throughout Southeast Michigan | Learning to incorporate the benefits of the outdoors into everyday life - no matter the season
If you are able to accomplish only one outdoor New Year's resolution in 2025, we sincerely hope it's this one: to incorporate the benefits of Detroit's outdoors into your everyday life.
You read that correctly, everyday life. Rain or shine. Hot or cold. Light or dark. The full spectrum of our outdoor ecosystem.
The Norwegians have perfected this approach to an outdoor-centric lifestyle - their word for it, both a noun and verb, is "Friluftsliv." By prioritizing friluftsliv's "get outdoors, every day, no matter what" lifestyle, Norway experienced a fundamental cultural transformation that has resulted in improved mental health, the good standard of societal fitness levels, and the prioritization of environmental conservation. The best part about this "friluftsliv resolution" is the least physically-demanding resolution on this list - just spending any amount of time in nature counts as a successful friluftsliv outing.
The difficult aspect of this goal, as with any truly transformative goal, is consistency. Fortunately, there are several months-long events or habits that can assist with getting outdoors. For me personally, I have participated in RF Events' trail racing series called "The GOAT Series." In summary, the GOAT - which stands for "Greatest Of All Time" - comprises of competing in at least 3 of RF Event's 5 flagship races, spanning from April 26th ("Trail Weekend") to November 8th ("Bonfyre Trail Fest"). At the end of the season, runners who qualified for the GOAT Series will be eligible to win special awards if they ranked as either the top three runners (by gender) for each of the Sprint and Open categories.
BONUS: 2025 NEW YEAR'S DEALS
In the spirit of expanding friluftsliv opportunities throughout our region, we at Expedition Detroit are also proud to announce our 2025 "New Year's Deals" for our guided services! More information will be released in the coming week, but here are the highlights of our current deals:
SNOWSHOE TREKS PRESALE: Use discount code "SNOWDANCE25" to save 10% on any of our planned snowshoe treks!
BUNDLE AND SAVE: Use discount code "NEWYEARBUNDLE" to save 20% on any of our EXPEDITION BUNDLES of curated guided trips.
FREE BEANIE: In honor of 2025, the first 25 participants to book a guided trip will receive a free Expedition Detroit beanie with their booking!
These offerings are only available through January 31st, so we hope that you will kick off your New Year with us as we continue exploring the beautiful parks and trails surrounding Detroit!
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH A GUIDED SNOWSHOE TREK!
PRESALE IS LIVE NOW WITH SPECIAL OFFERINGS FOR EARLY BOOKINGS!
Before signing off on this article and getting a jump on these resolutions, we also formally want to invite you to join us on each and every one of these goals. Another less-known characteristic of successful goal-setting is accountability. Well, this article is our team's public accountability notice. We fully intended on accomplishing each of these New Year's Resolutions, and we hope to see you on the trail, in the river, or across the finish line.
Happy New Year, Expedition Detroit community! As always, we can't wait to see you out there.
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