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Clinton River Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 126 Google reviews · Running trail in Auburn Hills, Michigan · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 50 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Clinton River Trail'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.
Area for hiking and biking with a paved trail and a public restroom.
What runners say about Clinton River Trail
“It’s well-maintained, easy to follow, and has a nice mix of shaded areas and open views along the river.”
“Whether you’re biking, walking, or just out for a peaceful stroll, the trail offers a beautiful escape into nature without having to go far from the city.”
“Its one of the BEST trails to walk, Jog, bike, or Run on its great Just be careful at Night though it gets dark and its a lot of deers”
“It’s either paved or finely crushed rock/asphalt and the road crossings are well-marked and at spots that lend themselves to easy crossings most times.”
“Whether you’re biking, walking, or just out for a peaceful stroll, the trail offers a beautiful escape into nature without having to go far from the city.”
We are lucky to have a great network of trails in the northern Detroit suburbs. This trail is well maintained and makes for a great bike or run route. It’s either paved or finely crushed rock/asphalt and the road crossings are well-marked and at spots that lend themselves to easy crossings most times.
I bike this 2-3 times a week when the weather cooperates. The ride is great, mostly flat, great nature scenery, safe (you cross a street via traffic light every mile or two), and there are plenty of restrooms and benches along the way.
Great Biking Experience at Clinton River Trail, Could Use More Greenery I truly enjoy biking at Clinton River Trail. The trails are well-maintained, and the scenery is beautiful.
The Clinton River Trail in Auburn Hills is such a hidden gem for anyone who loves the outdoors. Whether you’re biking, walking, or just out for a peaceful stroll, the trail offers a beautiful escape into nature without having to go far from the city.
Trail conditions & character
“It’s either paved or finely crushed rock/asphalt and the road crossings are well-marked and at spots that lend themselves to easy crossings most times.”
“Whether you’re biking, walking, or just out for a peaceful stroll, the trail offers a beautiful escape into nature without having to go far from the city.”
“West (gravel) connects you with Auburn hills and all the way with Pontiac where the trail disconnects and ends (hopefully they'll connect it to the West Bloomfield trail someday).”
“If you take it North (gravel trail), it will connect you with Paint Creek trail, which will take you to the city of lake Orion.”
“East (all paved) can take you to Romeo then to Armada then to Richmond, 25 miles away (50 mile round trip).”
“Whether you’re biking, walking, or just out for a peaceful stroll, the trail offers a beautiful escape into nature without having to go far from the city.”
“The ride is great, mostly flat, great nature scenery, safe (you cross a street via traffic light every mile or two), and there are plenty of restrooms and benches along the way.”
“It’s well-maintained, easy to follow, and has a nice mix of shaded areas and open views along the river.”
“The ride is great, mostly flat, great nature scenery, safe (you cross a street via traffic light every mile or two), and there are plenty of restrooms and benches along the way.”
“It’s also really safe and family-friendly, with easy access points and parking nearby.”
Plan your run at Clinton River Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Distance50 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteclintonrivertrail.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Auburn Hills
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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