Ready to explore the wilderness of Metro Detroit under peak fall colors? Plan your perfect weekend getaway along the Chief Pontiac Trail!
“Okay. Here we go.”
Sunlight filters through towering hardwoods as your boots crunch across the forest floor. Wildflowers and hidden morels blanket the woods while a bald eagle circles overhead. It’s hard to believe you’re still in Metro Detroit.
For nearly 70 years, the Chief Pontiac Trail has introduced generations of scouts, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts to the Lakes Area’s surprisingly wild landscape. Originally established in 1958, the traditional 16.5-mile route connected Highland State Recreation Area, Proud Lake State Recreation Area, and Kensington Metropark. While portions remain heavily used, other sections have faded with time.
Rather than mourn what’s been lost, the Expedition Detroit team embraced the opportunity to reimagine the route—preserving its history while creating a safer, more enjoyable backpacking experience that now includes one of Michigan’s newest “Pure Michigan Trail Towns.”
Reimagining a Classic Metro Detroit Trail
Our updated version – consisting of a ~17-mile route – still begins in Highland State Recreation Area, a 6,000-acre outdoor playground that feels worlds away from the busy M-59 corridor just outside. Rolling glacial moraines, dense wetlands, and abundant wildlife quickly replace suburban scenery, reminding hikers why Highland has long been considered one of Southeast Michigan’s premier recreation destinations.
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The first several miles faithfully follow the historic Chief Pontiac Trail, winding through the Haven Hill Natural Area, beneath Duck Lake Road’s iconic Tunnel Trail, and past Highland’s celebrated mountain biking trailhead. Along the way, hikers climb some of the highest elevations on the route, including Mt. Omich, before branching onto the newer Milford Connector Trail.
This reroute isn’t simply more convenient—it’s safer, replacing lengthy road walks with dedicated trails while leading backpackers directly into downtown Milford.
Trail Town Refueling Stop: Downtown Milford
Every great backpacking trip deserves a memorable resupply stop – and the Village of Milford delivers!
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Recognized in 2024 as a “Pure Michigan Trail Town,” Milford blends outdoor adventure with small-town charm. After several miles on the trail, hikers can enjoy a burger and locally brewed beer, browse outdoor gear shops, stroll historic Main Street, or relax beside the Huron River at newly-renovated Central Park before heading back into the woods.
Milford provides a welcomed reminder that backpacking doesn’t always have to mean sacrificing comfort. A perfect backpacking experience can – and we would argue should – include good food, live music, and a walkable downtown before returning to nature.
Riverside Camping at Proud Lake
After leaving Milford, the rerouted trail enters Proud Lake State Recreation Area, where backpackers spend the night among more than 3,000 acres of protected forests, wetlands, and river corridors. Unlike the original route’s extended roadside hiking, this approach reaches the park almost entirely on dedicated trails, creating a safer and far more enjoyable experience.
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Proud Lake offers camping for both organized youth groups and individual backpackers, making it the perfect overnight destination. But don’t stop exploring once camp is set – the park’s Huron River Water Trail, mountain bike loops, horseback riding trails, marsh boardwalks, and excellent fishing opportunities easily justify an extended stay.
As darkness settles across camp, one thought will inevitably return: it’s almost impossible to believe this peaceful riverside campsite sits less than an hour from downtown Detroit.
Walking in Chief Pontiac’s Steps
Day two begins with the trail’s greatest challenge.
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Crossing into the quieter reaches of Proud Lake, hikers navigate expansive marshlands, tackle the route’s longest sustained climb, and discover some of Metro Detroit’s most surprisingly-rugged terrain. This section demands patience, careful navigation, and a willingness to embrace the challenge — but that’s exactly what makes it so memorable.
Eventually the trail descends toward Old Plank Road and enters its final destination: Kensington Metropark.
Although Kensington welcomes millions of visitors each year, few realize that the Chief Pontiac Trail crosses stretches of the metropark’s most secluded landscapes. Beyond Kensington’s popular beaches and bike paths lie quiet ridgelines, wildflower-filled meadows, dense forests, and scenic overlooks along the Huron River that many visitors may never experience.
After nearly 17 miles, the trail reaches its terminus at the Group Camp Road Bridge. Spoiler alert: there’s no grand monument waiting. Just the quiet satisfaction that comes from completing one of southeast Michigan’s oldest backpacking traditions.
For decades, scouts who completed the Chief Pontiac Trail earned a medal inscribed with the words, “Walked in Chief Pontiac’s Steps.” Most backpackers today won’t receive the medal, but they’ll earn something just as meaningful: unforgettable memories, a renewed appreciation for Metro Detroit’s natural beauty, and proof that true backpacking adventures exist within an hour of one of America’s great cities.
The Chief Pontiac Trail isn’t simply a hike—it’s an invitation to rediscover Metro Detroit’s wild side.
This article was originally published as part of the “Trailblaze Detroit” series, an adventure travel collaboration between Expedition Detroit and Visit Detroit. For more information on exploring the Chief Pontiac Trail and other southeast Michigan outdoor destinations, please visit ExpeditionDetroit.com.
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