Belle Isle State Park Hike (Wayne County) Register

Date and Time:
Sat, Nov 15, 2025; 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM  (Eastern)

Organized By: Southeast Michigan Group

Location: 176 Lakeside Dr, Detroit, MI 48207, USA

Map | Directions

This 3- to 5-mile hike will take us along peaceful trails and to the edge of the Detroit River, where we might see Great Lakes freighters and enjoy stunning views of both Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. We’ll start and end at the Belle Isle Nature Center, where you can explore interactive exhibits, observe native wildlife, and experience the island’s unique ecosystems after the hike. The surrounding area features pollinator gardens, wetlands, and a small deer enclosure—offering plenty of opportunities to spot birds along the way.

We’ll do two loops that begin and end at the Nature Center. The first loop is about 3 miles through the park’s natural areas, while the second loop—about 2 miles—takes us to the tip of Belle Isle for a beautiful view upstream toward Lake St. Clair. Participants are welcome to finish after the first loop if they prefer. This hike offers a perfect blend of nature, history, and scenic views, making it a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. 

Since the hike concludes around midday, feel free to bring a picnic lunch. If you’d like to extend your visit to Belle Isle, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Belle Isle Aquarium are nearby. The conservatory—renowned as the oldest continually operating conservatory in the United States—features one of the largest municipally owned orchid collections in the country. Adjacent to it, the Albert Kahn–designed aquarium is the oldest in the continental United States and houses a fascinating collection of aquatic life.

Although this date marks the opening day of Michigan’s rifle deer hunting season, there is no hunting permitted in State Parks such as Belle Isle. Hunting is allowed in State Recreation Areas, so if you plan to hike elsewhere that day, we recommend choosing a State Park or Metropark.

We look forward to exploring the beauty of Belle Isle with you!

Meeting Time and Location:
We’ll meet in the parking lot of the Belle Isle Nature Center, 176 Lakeside, Detroit, MI 48207. Please arrive by 9:15 AM so we can begin the hike promptly at 9:30 AM.

Hike Leader:
For questions, please email sierra.club.semg@gmail.com.

Participation Details:
For all our hikes, please remember to bring comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, food, and the season’s weather appropriate clothing. Participation in Sierra Club activities requires registration and acceptance of a waiver, which you can complete online at the link above. Electronic copies of the required waiver are available online or by request and will be accepted automatically by signing-in to the event.

Cancellation Policy:
The hike will proceed rain, snow, or shine. However, if an Extreme Weather Warning is issued by the National Weather Service, the hike will be canceled for safety reasons.

Park Pass Information:
When visiting a Michigan State Park, a Recreation Passport is required. The cost per vehicle is $14 when purchased during license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Entrance to Metroparks requires a $40 annual pass or a $10 day pass. You may be able to purchase a day or annual pass at the park entrance booth.

Hikes are free and open to the public. However, sometimes we do activities that require a fee which would be noted in the description of the event and we do accept donations.

Level: Moderate

Cancellation Policy: Activity is held rain or shine, but may be altered due to inclement weather