9 Outdoors- Other to Explore in Ingham County

Ann Arbor, is a beautiful city located in southeastern Michigan. With its charming historic downtown core, surroundingnatural beauty, unique attractions and nearby universities it offers something for residents and visitors alike. Home to the University of Michigan, the area has a thriving economy rooted in education and innovation while taking advantage of natural resources such as the Huron river. Ann Arbor boasts an excellent school system and plenty of outdoor recreation options.

The Barton Nature Area encompasses more than 598 acres of natural beauty and recreational services including hiking trails, wooded picnic areas, fishing opportunities, camping sites, and wildlife viewing areas. This area is full of diverse habitats ranging from tall hardwood trees to cattail marshes or shallow ponds full of wildlife such as frogs, snakes, or even deer. This gives visitors an opportunity to experience the outdoors without venturing too far from home.

Crego Park is a 220-acre park featuring camping, picnicking, a beach area, nature trails and fishing. There's also an disc golf course for players to enjoy. The park includes 4 lakes including Crego Lake that's perfect for kayakers and canoeists. A playground overlooks the lake, providing a scenic backdrop for activities such as flying kites and playing catch. For campers looking to stay the night there are both tent and RV sites as well as cabin rentals.

Granger Meadows Park, is a stunning natural paradise. It covers more than 25 acres of woodlands and boasts an impressive lineup of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Spanning two miles in length, the park offers picnic spots, several playgrounds and even a disc golf course with 18 clear holes. Family-friendly trails are easy to access and perfect for biking or hiking through the park's wildflowers and marshlands.

Jackson Field is an impressive venue for sporting events. Located within the sprawling grounds of the historic Michigan State Fairgrounds, it boasts an elegant grandstand and open air seating for up to 7,500 people. It also features a wealth of amenities, including intimate concourse areas, expansive concession stands, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, full scoreboards with real-time statistics and much more.

Lake Lansing Park North is a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Covering over 200 acres, it features a beautiful lake with a beachfront area for swimming and sunbathing as well as more secluded areas perfect for fishing. One of the highlights of the park is its biking trails, which traverse nearly 10 miles and take riders through varied terrains. In addition to its bicycles trails, Lake Lansing Park North has 98 picnic tables scattered throughout the area.

The Lansing River Trail is an impressive and beautifully maintained 4.5-mile trail that both locals and visitors can enjoy. This picturesque waterfront route follows the Grand River for two miles, and passes through a number of charming parks including Adado Riverfront Park, Moore’s Park, Hawk Island Park, and Fitch Park. Along with providing plenty of outdoor activities such as walking, running, biking, and kayaking/canoeing, the trail also boasts some amazing wildlife observation spots.

This State Park spanning 28 miles of former railroad lines, the trail offers plenty of vast open space to explore along with several historical sites and relics from the past. Along with multiple entrances and access points, visitors enjoy a variety of amenities including picnic areas and pavilions, restrooms, fishing ponds and observation decks. The trail has been rated one of the highest for its beauty and is home to over 300 species of birds plus 150 species of wildlife.

Moores Park is a vibrant piece of parks and recreational infrastructure, offering outdoor amenities such as picnicking spots, fishing spots along the Red Cedar River and shady trails perfect for an afternoon stroll or jog. After exploring the outdoors, you can head indoors to enjoy the game rooms complete with ping-pong tables and arcade games for all ages. It also offers supportive programs such as youth camps, community development classes and live music performances.