Happy Fall, Detroit! These warmer days coupled with crisper nights mean that the BEST RECREATIONAL SEASON for experiencing Detroit has returned in its full glory. As you start to plan your perfect fall in southeast Michigan's outdoors, here our top 5 outdoor experiences near Detroit for you to enjoy this season!
The "Great Debate" is settled: Fall is the best season for outdoor recreation near Detroit.
If you're skeptical at our hot take there, well, please hear us out.
Fall kicks off by carrying all of summer's "peak season" momentum into September. We're talking open campgrounds, backpacking and canoe camping trips, dry mountain biking and trail running trails, and warm days for amazing kayaking. However, we'd argue that September actually improves on summer recreation by delivering smaller crowds, less bugs, more stars, and crisp "campfire-ready nights." So basically extended summer, but better.
October's arrival is where fall truly runs off with Detroit's "best season" title. Beyond hunting's return, October means world-class running competitions, halloween-themed recreational events, harvest festivals, and enjoying generations' worth of fall outdoor traditions. Our stunning parks, trails, and waterways show off their brilliance in autumn's full foliage.
While October tends to attract most of the season's outdoor attention, November closes out Fall's recreational calendar with a literal and figurative "Bang!" November 15th is an official-unofficial holiday in Michigan, marking the start of whitetail deer firearm season. Trail running season wraps up with its closing acts, followed closely by a plethora of "Turkey Trot" races. And - if we're lucky - our "Big Four Ski Resorts" may open for business before the winter months kick in.
Yeah...we happily - no, excitedly - rest our case. From kayaking to potentially skiing, the next three months will bless us with the full spectrum of Detroit's outdoor ecosystem. While that may seem overwhelming at first, we've taken the initiative to curate the "Top 5" experiences that we are most looking forward to enjoying this Fall.
So let's get into it! Here are Expedition Detroit's "Top 5 Outdoor Experiences near Detroit" for inspiring your fall 2024 adventures.
1. CYCLE FOR CIDER MILLS
Destination: Paint Creek Trail | Orion Township, MI
When to Experience: All Fall
Recommended Adventure: Cycling the Paint Creek Trail to Several Cider Mills
Grab your flannel and pump up your tires, we're going cycling for cider mills!
The Detroit region is uniquely blessed with two fall recreational staples: a vast trail network lined with spectacular fall colors and postcard-ready apple orchards featuring quintessential cider mills. Hear us out - why not combine a perfect fall bike ride with a stop (or three) at a cider mill?
If this sounds like your perfect fall weekend, then get ready to gear up and head over to Oakland County's "Paint Creek Trail"! Heading out from the Pure Michigan Trail Town of Orion Township, the 10-mile Paint Creek Trail will guide you past Bald Mountain State Recreation Area and several nature preserves to the Goodison Cider Mill and aptly-named Paint Creek Cider Mill.
But wait, there's more cycling and cider ahead of you. Once you're fueled up with ample cider and donuts, keep the fall adventures moving by continuing east on the Clinton River Trail towards Bloomer Park. Once in Bloomer Park, follow the marked biking path towards trail marker #24, leading towards Yates Park. As you may have guessed, the famous Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills awaits your arrival.
2. HIKE FOR ULTIMATE FALL COLORS
Destination: Pinckney State Recreation Area | Pinckney, MI
When to Experience: Early-Mid October
Recommended Adventure: Hiking the Crooked Lake Trail
Last year, the Expedition Detroit team set out on a nearly impossible mission. We challenged ourselves to identify the best trail in the Detroit region for experiencing peak colors. A wonderfully brutal task.
Countless hours of research and field testing later, we finally decided on a winner: the "Crooked Lake Trail" at Pinckney State Recreation Area! This 4.4 mile loop trail is a year-round favorite for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers, although it abruptly bursts with colors once October gets going. Beyond the trail's celebrated foliage, its surrounding wildlife actively sharply increases as the temperatures begin to dip. To enjoy the full experience, be sure to book a campsite at the Crooked Lake Rustic Campground.
In honor of fall's glorious return, we're excited to launch a MASSIVE increase in our guided day hikes along the Crooked Lake Trail! Expedition Detroit day hiking trips are perfect for hikers of all experience levels. We only ask that you arrive with a wide-eyed sense of adventure and excitement to discover Metro Detroit's world-class trails - especially the Crooked Lake Trail.
RESERVE YOUR ULTIMATE FALL COLORS HIKE WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT!
3. FINISH RACING SEASON STRONG
Destination: Detroit Riverfront | Detroit, MI
When to Experience: October 20, 2024
Recommended Adventure: Running the Detroit Free Press Marathon
Ladies and gentlemen, lace up those sneakers: primetime racing season in Detroit is BACK!
Regardless of whether you're a road or trail runner, fall's return means that our region's preeminent running events are back in the recreational spotlight. The Ann Arbor Marathon kick's off the season on October 13th, followed a week later by the crown jewel of southeast Michigan's outdoor events calendar: the Detroit Free Press Marathon.
While either of these marathons will inevitably represent the seasonal finish line after months of grueling training, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention a few other key fall races:
Crooked Lakes Trail Run | October 13th | Independence Oaks Park, Clarkston, MI*
Wicked Halloween Run | October 27th | Maybury State Park, Northville, MI
Bonfyre Trail Fest | November 2nd | Waterloo State Recreation Area, Chelsea, MI
Detroit Turkey Trot | November 28th | Downtown Detroit, MI
Milford Gobbler Gallop | November 30th | Downtown Milford, MI*
*Expedition Detroit+ subscribers save 20% on these races!
TRAIN FOR RACING SEASON YEAR-ROUND WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT!
4. EMBRACE SPOOKY SEASON ON A HAUNTED HIKE
Destination: Belle lsle Park | Detroit, MI
When to Experience: All October
Recommended Adventure: Hiking Belle Isle's Lighthouse and Blue Heron Loops
Detroit remains undefeated as one of America's top destinations for Halloween-themed activities. From haunted hayrides to paranormal tours, the annual Monster's Ball, and a season's worth of Halloween 5Ks, experiencing "Spooky Season" in and around Detroit is a bucket list-worthy adventure.
Last year, team Expedition Detroit embraced Halloween in our outdoors by researching the best "Haunted Hiking" destinations throughout our region. Lo and behold, one of our most popular guided day trips - Belle Isle's "Lighthouse and Blue Heron Lagoon Loops" - prominently features two such macabre destinations!
In honor of Spooky Season's return, we will also be increasing our guided day trip offerings not only to Belle Isle Park, but also Highland Recreation Area's "Haven Hill Loop." The Haven Hill Loop features a special, Expedition Detroit-exclusive encounter with the ruins of the Ford Family's hilltop "wilderness estate."
Do paranormal spirits still haunt the islands of the Detroit River or forest surrounding Haven Hill? There's only one way to find out...if you dare!
EXPLORE BELLE ISLE PARK THIS SPOOKY SEASON WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT!
5. GO ON THE HUNT FOR CONSERVATION
Destination: Highland State Recreation Area | Highland, Michigan
When to Experience: October through November
Recommended Adventure: Whitetail Deer Hunting in Michigan State Recreation Areas
If you're looking forward to the full menu of incredible outdoor experiences coming down the recreational pipeline this fall, then we have one small ask of you: please buy a Base License from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Why? The sale of hunting and fishing licenses remains a core fiscal component of several interwoven business models. From supercharging the Michigan DNR's financial capacity to supporting thousands of small businesses, the long-term viability of hunting remains a vital economic interest.
If you are already planning on getting out in the woods and enjoying one of several hunting seasons that kick off this fall, then you are obviously planning on purchasing at least a Base License and actively supporting the Michigan DNR's conservation efforts. But even if hunting is not your main cup of tea for getting outside this autumn, we still encourage you to passively support conservation by purchasing a Base License. Best $11.00 you'll ever spend.
Ethical hunting is essential for the longevity of Detroit's recreational ecosystem. There's no way to sugar coat it, and we at Expedition Detroit are proud to support the Michigan DNR and Michigan Wildlife Council in their ambitions to expand hunter and angler education and engagement.
For more information on the upcoming the Fall 2024 Hunting Season, check out Expedition Detroit's 2024 Fall Hunting Cheatsheet.
GEAR UP FOR HUNTING SEASON WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT!
Expedition Detroit's "LABOR DAY DEALS" are still LIVE through the end of September! The deals include 20% OFF of all EXPEDITION DETROIT STORE PRODUCTS and 30% OFF of all GUIDED DAY HIKING TRIPS booked before September 30th!
What are your recreation plans for this fall? Are there any destinations or top outdoor experiences near Detroit that we should highlight for the Expedition Detroit community? Let us know in the comments!
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