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26 Mile Road Nature Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 18 Google reviews · Running trail in Macomb, Michigan · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Crushed gravel
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from 26 Mile Road Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Crushed gravelDog-friendly

What runners say about 26 Mile Road Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (18 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Nice little nature walk with a decent sized loop. The path is dirt/gravel. Stroller friendly or just walking.

★★★★☆ — Ally , Sep 2022

Nice short trail with gravel, port-a-potty for the bathroom. Enough room for parking. Grass surrounding the pond would be great for a picnic in the summer. Dog friendly.

★★★★★ — Paige , Oct 2020

Small, quiet little park. Nice trail for a short walk. Nice pond to walk around (No swimming, fishing, ect) Nice for a quick little spot.

★★★★★ — Blazed , Jul 2023

It's a very nice park a nice trail to walk on and open fields and ponds..only downfall was a lot of big dogs off leashes but they did not bother me or my small dogs

★★★★☆ — Kristin , May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 18 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“only downfall was a lot of big dogs off leashes but they did not bother me or my small dogs”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“Nice short trail with gravel, port-a-potty for the bathroom.”

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Plan your run at 26 Mile Road Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitemacomb-mi.gov
  • Social Instagram

Hours

Monday 9 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–8 PM
Thursday 9 AM–8 PM
Friday 9 AM–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–8 PM
Sunday 9 AM–8 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find 26 Mile Road Nature Preserve

22200 26 Mile Rd, Macomb, MI 48042

Get directions

Running trails near Macomb

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Wolcott Mill Metro Park - North Branch Trails

4.8 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Ray, MI

MixedDog-friendly

1.1 miles away

Macomb Corners Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 526 reviews

Macomb, MI

Lit

Baseball-themed park with a play scape & a swing set, plus picnic tables.

2.1 miles away

Lucido Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 5 reviews

Macomb, MI

2.4 miles away

Wetzel State Recreation Area

4.3 ★★★★☆ 177 reviews

New Haven, MI

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Nature-filled path system and park, plus ponds for wildlife.

3.3 miles away

Pitchford Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 49 reviews

Macomb, MI

Dog-friendly

4.4 miles away

Wilcox Warnes Nature Sanctuary

4.4 ★★★★☆ 46 reviews

Shelby Township, MI

MixedScenic

Nature reserve boasting hiking trails and wooden paths amid tall trees, plus boardwalks.

5.2 miles away

All running trails in Macomb, MI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.