HomeMichiganTraverse City › Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve

Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · Running trail in Traverse City, Michigan · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
75 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Oleson 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.

Boardwalk75 miDog-friendlyStroller / ADATrailhead parkingMile markers

What runners say about Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (12 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

A nice well maintained walk through nature. Trails are accessible and simple for all ages. The only complaint was the plane's noise from the nearby airport.

★★★★☆ — J.J. , Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 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.

Stroller / ADA accessible

“Trails are accessible and simple for all ages.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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🪵 Boardwalk

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Plan your run at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • Distance75 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitegtrlc.org
  • Phone(231) 929-7911
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–8 PM
Thursday 7 AM–8 PM
Friday 7 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7 AM–8 PM
Sunday 7 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 Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve

2846 N Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686

Get directions

Running trails near Traverse City

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

Reffitt Nature Preserve

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Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)

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Paved

Destination offering hiking and biking trails, plus winter activities.

1.4 miles away

Vasa Pathway

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Natural surfaceDog-friendly

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Boardman Lake Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 379 reviews

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LoopMixedShadedScenic

Paved, shaded lakeside path for biking and strolling, with bridges and benches.

3.3 miles away

Boardman Valley Nature Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 43 reviews

Traverse City, MI

LoopScenic

3.3 miles away

Hull Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 282 reviews

Traverse City, MI

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

A relaxing grassy park for picnics, walking and fishing, along with bike paths.

3.6 miles away

All running trails in Traverse City, 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.