A child riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail surrounded by trees, with a circular dirt feature and a few rocks in the foreground. Sunlight is filtering through the leaves, creating a vibrant and active outdoor scene. Palmer Woods Forest Reserve mountain bike trail.
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Length: 24 mi (38.6 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +354/ -104 ft
Total: 6 riders
 

Mountain Biking Palmer Woods Forest Reserve

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#106 of 326 mountain bike trails in Michigan
#4,041 in the world

Palmer Woods has quickly become renowned as the newest must-ride trail system in Michigan. Trail building began at Palmer Woods in 2018, and the network currently boasts 21 miles of singletrack. "By the end of the year, the full 24-mile system should be open," said Caleb Garone, Land Steward for the Leelanau Conservancy.

This expansive trail system has been built solely for mountain bikers — there is a separate trail system in the area for the hikers. The trails have been constructed "within a glacially influenced landscape of ridges in valleys," according to Garone. "This landscape creates a good balance of downhill and climbing, typically getting about 100 feet of climbing per mile ridden."

Most of the trails are one-way directional, with the direction of travel alternating daily. The main exception is a couple of one-way downhill trails, which offer "white knuckle, fast as you please downhills," according to Justin Simpson, Director of Progressive Trails for the West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance (WMMBA). The "jumps and berms rival some of the best bike parks," Simpson raved. "Countless side hits to let rider creativity show. Unique trail features that aren't just repetitive table jumps and rollers, but proper shark fins, hips, step downs, jumps in and out of berms, etc. It's so darn pretty and located near some great beaches for a post-ride dip."

First added by Greg Heil on Aug 12, 2025. Last updated Aug 12, 2025. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, Glen Arbor, MI
Featured in
A curved dirt bike trail winding through a wooded area, surrounded by trees and greenery. The trail is well-defined, with a smooth surface, and there are some natural obstacles like rocks and fallen logs nearby.
  1
A mountain biker navigating a curved trail through a lush green forest, with tall trees and a scenic view of a lake in the distance. The rider is leaning into the turn, showcasing the dynamic action of mountain biking.
  7
A ski lift shown against a blue sky, with a person sitting on one chair and a bicycle hanging on another. Surrounding the lift are green hills and tall trees.


Palmer Woods Forest Reserve Trail map

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Trail conditions

Good (Aug 20, 2022)
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Mountain Bike Trails Near Glen Arbor, Michigan

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  • Russ Martin
    *****

    One of the best loops you can find any where in the country one of the best machine built courses you could build. Built by flow track from u. P. Fantastic loop. Rate this #1most fun

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