HomeMichiganCedar › The Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River Preserve: The Leelanau Conservancy

The Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River Preserve: The Leelanau Conservancy

4.8 ★★★★★ 13 Google reviews · Running trail in Cedar, Michigan · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from The Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River Preserve: The Leelanau Conservancy'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.

Open 24hLit at nightScenicDog-friendly

What runners say about The Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River Preserve: The Leelanau Conservancy

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (13 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“The Cedar River is a gorgeous place to canoe, kayak, or even SUP ‐— as long as you stay on the board.”

The Cedar River is a gorgeous place to canoe, kayak, or even SUP ‐— as long as you stay on the board. The river bottom is not solid, and we do have big snapping turtles. There's no place to stop and get out along the way. It's pure wetlands. The best time to see wildlife is early morning or late afternoon.

★★★★★ — Mary , Nov 2023

Cedar River is such a beautiful place to be it whether you are kayaking or walking around it it's just lovely lots of little fish in there we also saw a giant snapping turtle watch your toesies lol I just love looking at the Tannin Rich water and it's such a peaceful place to go kayaking 🛶 definitely recommend…

★★★★★ — Jack , Aug 2022

Beautiful 1.3 mile hike with seasonal views of south Lake Leelanau and the Cedar River. Rolling terrain and peaceful landscapes. Adding to my favorites in Leelanau County.

★★★★★ — J , Feb 2024

Short trail, less than 2 mi. Very well maintained and very hilly. Get ready to give your legs a workout.

★★★★☆ — Jason , Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 13 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“The Cedar River is a gorgeous place to canoe, kayak, or even SUP ‐— as long as you stay on the board.”

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💡 Lit for night running

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at The Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River Preserve: The Leelanau Conservancy

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both 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.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteleelanauconservancy.org
  • Phone(231) 256-9665
  • 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

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 The Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River Preserve: The Leelanau Conservancy

8813 S Lake Shore Dr, Cedar, MI 49621

Get directions

Running trails near Cedar

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

DeYoung Natural Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 118 reviews

Traverse City, MI

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve featuring cedar trees, farmland and wetlands, plus a dock.

6.1 miles away

Leelanau Trail Cherry Bend Rd Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 154 reviews

Traverse City, MI

PavedScenic

Public hiking and biking trail with a restroom.

7.0 miles away

Cedar Run Creek Natural Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

Lake Ann, MI

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Quiet park with trails for hiking and snowshoeing, plus lake and creek views.

7.0 miles away

Hickory Meadows

4.6 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Traverse City, MI

112.5 miDog-friendly

7.7 miles away

Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 251 reviews

Traverse City, MI

LoopScenic

Hiking area with an array of trails, including kid-friendly options, and scenic views.

8.8 miles away

Clinch Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,984 reviews

Traverse City, MI

ScenicDog-friendly

Beach on West Grand Traverse Bay featuring picnic tables, restrooms & seasonal lifeguards.

9.1 miles away

All running trails in Cedar, 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.