ALL WAYS

EXPLORING TRAILS

It’s time to explore the trail diversity the Cadillac Area has to offer. There are so many ways to explore trails in our area!

CADILLAC AREA TRAIL SYSTEMS

The Cadillac area offers over 200 miles of trails year around. Whether you are hiking, biking or walking, we have a trail for you. All of our trails have public access with either free parking, or MDNR recreation pass parking. Click on the trail systems below for trail maps, amenities and tips. Enjoy your trip!

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Horse Trail Etiquette

Dogwalker’s Paradise: A Guide to Dog-Friendly Travel in the Cadillac Area

by Jayden Hewitt | May 13, 2026 | Fall, Hiking Trails, Late Fall, Spring, Summer, Trails & Parks, winter | 0 Comments

Dogwalker’s Paradise: A Guide to Dog-Friendly Travel in the Cadillac Area *Our Dog Blog is updated regularly; any additional suggestions are welcome* Traveling is great, but when you have dogs, it can get a bit “hairy” at times. In the Cadillac Area, there are plenty...

Winter Fun at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center Center

by CAVB Staff | November 20, 2025 | Hiking Trails, Trails & Parks, winter, Winter Skiing - XC Ski/Snowshoe/Fatbike | 0 Comments

Winter hikes, ice fishing classes and more! The Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, at the popular Mitchell State Park, offers a range of programs for all ages. Visitors are greeted by a 500 gallon aquarium showcasing the fish of Lake Mitchell and Lake...

Walking & Restoring the Old Indian Trail: Footsteps, Stonework, and Shared History

by Anthony Slaughterhawk | November 4, 2025 | Cadillac Stories, Culture and Entertainment, Hiking Trails, History, Late Fall, Self Guided Trips | 2 Comments

There’s something special about starting your day on a trail before most people have poured their first cup of coffee. At 7:00 AM, with a cool northern Michigan breeze and soft morning light filtering through the trees, I stepped onto the Old Indian Trail at Lake...

5 Scenic In-and-Out Hikes Along the North Country Trail

by Dave Foley | September 1, 2025 | Cadillac Stories, Fall, Hiking Trails, Out and About with Dave Foley, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

The 4600 mile North Country Trail (NCT), beginning in Maine and running to North Dakota, passes through Michigan. More than 100 miles of it are within 40 miles of Cadillac. With so many miles of trail available, deciding where to go could be a problem. But wherever...

Lace Up Those Shoes for a Week’s Worth of Trails in Cadillac!

by Dave Foley | May 19, 2025 | Biking, Cadillac Stories, Downtown, Hiking Trails, Out and About with Dave Foley, Self Guided Trips, Spring, Summer, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

Tired of running the same old routes? If you're looking for different views of Cadillac here is a plan for your week - never run the same route twice and start each run within five miles of downtown!Sunday McKellop Walkway Probably the best known is the McKellop...