With over 1,000 acres of protected land and eight miles of scenic trails, it’s a year-round destination for families, hikers, birders and outdoor lovers.

Miles of walking, running and single-track mountain biking trails.

Hike through wooded hills and deep ravines while enjoying scenic views of the St. Joseph River and seasonal wildflowers.

This 38-acre preserve is being restored to resemble the mesic, or moist, prairies that were once common across Michigan.

This 27-acre preserve features three distinct habitats: restored prairie, floodplain forest and mesic southern forest.

This 49-acre preserve features a diverse landscape of restored native prairie, mature forest, floodplain and frontage along the Galien River.

Paddle the scenic waters of Christiana Creek, Christiana Lake and Juno Lake.

Access the Dowagiac River for kayaking at numerous locations throughout Southwest Michigan.

This 820-acre nature park is open year-round and boasts a broad range of recreational activities.

Fernwood's nature preserve, with its tall trees, tranquil ponds, abundant springs, and carpets of wildflowers, is a magical place that draws people back again and again.

Enjoy hiking trails, picnic pavilions and grills, fishing access and a disc golf course.

This 35-acre preserve features a diverse mix of oak-hickory forest, forested wetlands and waterways that provide habitat for an impressive variety of plants and wildlife.

Enjoy hiking, bird watching, equestrian trails, a canoe landing, class-A trout fishing plus cross-country skiing trails.

This park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring an elevated boardwalk, scenic hiking trails and a mesmerizing canopy walkway that provides a bird’s-eye view of the park’s untouched natural beauty.

Best explored by boat or kayak, the preserves encompass a Great Lakes coastal marsh, a highly diverse wetland ecosystem whose water levels are closely influenced by Lake Michigan.

This 11-acre preserve features a remarkable variety of habitats within a relatively small area, including coastal plain marsh, wet prairie, sand prairie and oak forest.

Explore sweeping sand dunes, wooded trails and a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, with opportunities for swimming, hiking and scenic views.

Get waterfront views and even see some wildlife along the 12 miles that make up the free Harbor Shores Nature & Fitness Trail System in Benton Harbor.

A 1.5-mile loop trail winds through 45 acres of mature beech-maple forest, with towering oak, maple, beech and tulip poplar trees, as well as seasonal wetlands.

This multi-use path allows for beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River over most of its length.

The converted rail trail winds through gorgeous scenery including wooded areas, farmlands, streams and rivers.

The Lake Michigan Nature Trail includes 1.8 miles of trail through 70 acres of woods and along the water behind the college.

Mountain biking and hiking trail located near Whirlpool Corporation’s Global Headquarters.

Love Creek County Park & Nature Center features over 100 acres of meadows, forests, marshes and creeks.

This park features include hiking trails, a river bluff observation tower and shelter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing areas, a playground, a visitor center and more.

The dog friendly trail is currently four miles one way, including loops, which branch off the main path.

Together, the Merritt Family and Younger Family Preserves protect 60 acres of forest and wetland habitat, including moist southern forest and southern hardwood swamp in various stages of regrowth.

This picturesque 3.5-mile trail system offers a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

A well-maintained boardwalk guides visitors through the heart of the bog, offering stunning views of the wetland.

This 45-acre preserve features a diverse landscape of open farmland, forested wetlands and a mature beech-maple forest.

Approximately 14 acres of wilderness and peaceful tranquility near downtown Watervliet.

Lake Michigan beach access, scenic overlooks, open grassy areas, wooded trails and historic remnants, with terrain ranging from an accessible concrete path to steep natural-surface trails.

Riverview Park is a beautiful spot to enjoy and explore the natural setting along the St. Joseph river.

This 80-acre preserve features a mature forest dominated by beech, maple, tulip poplar and oak, along with wetlands, seasonal streams and a variety of other habitats.

Explore more than five miles of trails winding through coastal plain marshes and around small ponds.

The trails traverse wooded ravines, pass by a pond, cross over wetlands, and open into a prairie with wildflowers.

This network of trails offers a scenic and serene environment for walkers, runners, mountain bikers, and cross-country skiers.

The main trail winds around an inland lake, through forest and wetlands, while a side trail explores an oak-covered peninsula; terrain is mostly flat to rolling with a few steep hills.

Enjoy the St. Joseph River from multiple access points across Southwest Michigan, perfect for paddling, fishing and exploring.

This 40-acre preserve features a scenic landscape of beech-maple forest, wooded ravines, tributary streams and restored native prairie.

This 40-acre forested preserve is known for its diverse plant community and spectacular displays of spring wildflowers.

This 12-acre nature preserve features a mature beech-maple forest, seasonal wetlands and Turtle Creek.

Relax on the beach, walk along woodland trails or enjoy a picnic watching the sunset.

14-mile, linear, multiuse trail that runs along a former railroad right-of-way and links the cities of Hartford and South Haven.

The Woods Fitness Park is a huge outdoor playground, filled with over 60 obstacles and fun zones.

As a crown jewel among Michigan State Parks, you're about to encounter 1,952 acres of adventure and three miles of sandy shoreline.

This 14.92-acre sanctuary protects a mature hardwood forest along a deep glacial ravine, with beech, sugar maple and abundant spring wildflowers.

Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary is widely regarded as the "jewel in the crown" of the Michigan Nature Association's sanctuaries.

This 40-acre sanctuary features a diverse mix of dunes, forest, coastal plain marsh and hardwood-conifer swamp.

Formerly known as the Hamilton Township Coastal Plain Marsh, this sanctuary protects a rare wetland community with distinctive plants more commonly found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

325 acres of natural open space with more than eight miles of trails for hiking, running and cross-country skiing.