Michigan Trails

Winding its way along the eastern shoreline of Drummond Island, Marblehead Road is a perfect taste of all the trails here. While driving through the dense forest there are deep muddy puddles, a few small rock obstacles, and then “The Steps at Marblehead” right before reaching the lookout. This is the only named obstacle and requires a good vehicle and driver to get down and back up. Marblehead sits a little over 100’ feet above the water and the limestone that makes up most of the island is exposed here, creating drama along this shoreline. This limestone is part of what’s known as the Niagara Escarpment, a natural rock formation that stretches for over 900 miles and is actually part of Niagara Falls. Do not miss the Steps at Marblehead or this trail in general, it really is a gem within the trail system.

Lake Michigan has the largest deposit of freshwater coastal sand dunes. At Silver Lake Sand Dunes, you can drive on them! The area for driving covers 450 of the 2,000-acre stretch of dunes sandwiched between its namesake, Silver Lake, and Lake Michigan. Two steep dunes are separated by a more gentle landscape that allows you to pick your adrenalin threshold ranging from a quick and easy stroll to Lake Michigan or pointing your vehicle straight up with a rooster tail of sand spinning out the back. Grab the tow strap and give it a try!

On the northeast side of Drummond Island, East Colton Bay Road is an easy introduction to driving in the dirt on the island. The trail makes its way through the Maxton Plains Alvar Preserve giving you a chance to drive on and see this rare geographic feature up close and personal. Alvars are made up of a thin layer of soil with a limestone base underneath. These limestone portions of the trail almost look like ancient roads peaking out from the ground. Add East Poe Point Road and Bruce Point Road for about a half-day of exploration. Drummond Island is a 250 square mile island in the Great Lakes that sits right on the border between the United States and Canada. The island’s biggest tourism draw is it’s ATV routes and over 40 miles of ORV trails, many of which you can find detailed here on Trailsoffroad.com. While traveling these trails it’s not uncommon to see wildlife like osprey, blue herons, redheaded woodpeckers, and sandhill cranes. Get your tires a little muddy and explore this protected area of the island via East Colton Bay Road.

Drummond Island has many unique features, some easier to get to than others. East Poe Point Road is an easy and muddy dirt road that works it’s way north through the island’s alvars and onto the fossil ledges. The Fossil Ledges on Drummond Island is the fossilized remains of a 450 million-year-old sea bed. If you make your way to the beach, make sure to look and take pictures of the fossils you find but take nothing from the beach and help preserve it for future generations. On top of the fossils that are waiting to be found, Drummond Island has lots of opportunities for adventure. Drummond Island is 250 square miles packed full of activities for everyone in your group. The island has 13 distinct ecosystems that attract wildlife to match and is a destination for bird watching. If you’re looking for an easy day on the island trails with plenty to see, hop on the ferry and run this with Bruce Point Road and Colton Bay Road to get a taste of the island.

Glen Cove Road serves as a primary artery within the Drummond Island trail network. This nearly 7-mile long trail connects the southern part of the island with Marblehead Road, Shale Beach, Stone's Throw and the East Marblehead Loop. Since this trail is a feeder, it is maintained at some level and none of the trail sits below the water line so there isn’t a ton of mud along the way either, but there is plenty to see. Drummond Island is host to a good size population of animals and is a haven in the area for birds. Sandhill Cranes, Upland Sandpipers, Vesper & Savannah Sparrows, and the occasional grouse can be seen along the way. The island is host to 13 eco-systems and 6 different types of forests. Get a good taste of the island as a whole and don’t take this trail for granted, take your time to enjoy nature and wildlife along it.