Belle Isle State Park Hike (Wayne County) Register

Date and Time:
Sun, Nov 29, 2026; 1:00 PM - 4:00 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 before 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. 

If you’d like to extend your visit to Belle Isle, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Belle Isle Aquarium are nearby, but check hours. 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.

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

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. You may be able to purchase a day or annual pass at the park entrance booth.

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 12:45 PM so we can begin the hike promptly at 1:00 AM.

Communications:
Please watch your email for outing-related updates or changes. We normally send a reminder the day before each outing. Occasionally, we may need to send last-minute updates because of unusually heavy traffic, trailhead parking closures or other unexpected circumstances. Please check your email before leaving and contact sierra.club.semg@gmail.com with any questions.


Participation Details:
Participation in Sierra Club activities requires registration and acceptance of a waiver. Electronic copies of the required waiver are available during registration or by request and will be accepted automatically by signing-in to the event.

For all our hikes, please remember to bring comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, food, and seasonally appropriate clothing. To help prevent tick bites, wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot, and consider long sleeves and long pants when hiking in grassy or wooded areas. After returning home, check your body, clothing, and pets for ticks, shower soon after coming indoors, and wash and dry your clothes on high heat, which can help kill any ticks that may be present. With climate change bringing milder winters and longer warm seasons, ticks have become a potential year-round concern in Michigan. Blacklegged ticks can be active even during winter when temperatures rise above freezing. 

All events are free and open to everyone, but donations are gratefully accepted. Donations support our activism, education and outings programs. Donations may be made online at: https://givebutter.com/FKXYFb Click here to join the Sierra Club for as low as $15/year. 

As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, donations allow us to lobby and sometimes litigate for environmental protections. This tax status gives us a broader ability to enact change, but it also means that gifts to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible. Whether you’re able to give or not, everyone is welcome on our hikes, and your support in any form is appreciated.

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.

Level: Easy

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