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Pelizzari Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 216 Google reviews · Running trail in Traverse City, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 3.2 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Pelizzari Natural Area'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.
Nature preserve with well-marked trails for hiking, snowshoeing, and jogging, plus benches.
What runners say about Pelizzari Natural Area
“The trails are well maintained and clearly marked.”
“It has good signage, some elevation & great views of East Grand Traverse Bay.”
“The trail signage is very easy to follow and as long as your on the trail, I feel it would be hard to get lost.”
“As you start off, you can see a good bit of residential, but after the first few hundred feet or so, it's very wooded and quiet.”
“Easy walk, but some areas were washed out and the exposed tree roots were a little challenging after my 4 day old heart procedure.”
A gorgeous 3.2 mile loop, very well marked by signage and segments. There’s a lot of open area in one loop segment but most of the trail is shaded under a canopy of hemlock trees!
We truly love the Pelizzari Natural Area. We try to walk here most every day when we are at the Old Mission Peninsula. It is a rather magical place. Beautiful in all four seasons. We have always experienced friendly fellow walkers (no bikes). It is a common place for bring people to walk their dogs.
This trail has a nice loop with some mild elevation. We decided to go in the late afternoon a few hours before dusk. The trail signage is very easy to follow and as long as your on the trail, I feel it would be hard to get lost.
I have a special place in my heart for this trail. While there are no sweeping bay views or astounding topography, this is a very pleasant walk. The fields are very serene and the hemlock area is unique and atmospheric. I enjoy it in all seasons.
Trail conditions & character
“We saw some people with dogs off leashes (while friendly), this was a bit upsetting since there’s many signs indicating dogs must be leashed.”
“While there are no sweeping bay views or astounding topography, this is a very pleasant walk.”
“A few hills here but nothing unmanageable - however you may need spikes if it's snowy or icy.”
“There is a nice map at the parking area but from there we didn't find signage until we got off the main spur.”
“As you start off, you can see a good bit of residential, but after the first few hundred feet or so, it's very wooded and quiet.”
“2 mile loop, very well marked by signage and segments.”
“As you start off, you can see a good bit of residential, but after the first few hundred feet or so, it's very wooded and quiet.”
“2 mile loop, very well marked by signage and segments.”
Plan your run at Pelizzari Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance3.2 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitegtrlc.org
- Phone(231) 223-7322
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–8 PM |
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.
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