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Reffitt Nature Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 27 Google reviews · Running trail in Traverse City, Michigan · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- 6 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Reffitt 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.
What runners say about Reffitt Nature Preserve
“There is good signage & the trail is well marked with purple/pink blazes on trees.”
Fun little nature trail just off the main road. The small parking area is down the 2-track at the end of Oak St (there's a sign). Near the trail head there's a bit of road & business noise (U.S. 31 & Pirates Cove), but the further you go, the quieter it gets.
This preserve is a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. What I like best about this preserve is the option to hike various loops, depending on how much time you have available. The terrain is mostly flat, and easy to traverse.
Reffitt Nature Preserve has been reopened and the boardwalks over Mitchell Creek have been repaired. Reffitt has a unique dune and swale habitat and the very important Mitchell Creek watershed which flows into East Bay. Both trail loops are now open and can be walked in about 1 hour.
As I walked through here I couldn't help but notice that a lot of the plants here are fire adapted. But I supposed with the airport near by a prescribed burn would be unlikely here. I also noticed some glossy buckthorn in the wet areas. Boot brushes near the trail heads may prevent garlic mustard establishment too!
Trail conditions & character
“woodsy & wetland easy flat loop trail less than 2miles total,some boardwalks over wet areas.”
“(see map in photos) The trail is mostly narrow, flat, hard-pack with many bridges & boardwalks.”
“The small parking area is down the 2-track at the end of Oak St (there's a sign).”
“Definitely keep your dog on a leash due to the many swampy areas, wetlands and thick black muck.”
“There is good signage & the trail is well marked with purple/pink blazes on trees.”
“There is great birdwatching from the boardwalk bridges that cross over the creek.”
Plan your run at Reffitt 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
- Loop distance6 mi back to where you parked. 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 |
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.
Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)
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Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve
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Pelizzari Natural Area
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Hull Park
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Boardman Lake Trail
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