There's nothing like exploring Michigan’s great outdoors, and the Metroparks Trail Challenge gives participants a chance to not only experience more than a dozen trails but also earn prizes along the way.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks make up nearly 25,000 acres of woods, water and recreational facilities across 14 parks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, offering a variety of outdoor activities for Michiganders.

Since 2023, the self-paced Trail Challenge, which runs from May 1 through October 31, has drawn thousands of participants.

“We have designated challenge trails in each of the parks where participants need to find the kiosk and take a selfie,” said Metroparks marketing specialist Hilary Simmet. “That selfie gets loaded to an online leaderboard and the more trails you hit, the more prizes you earn.”

Last year, registrants received a customized tumbler featuring a space to collect a sticker from every park they visited. At the end of the Trail Challenge, participants received the park-specific stickers they earned to add to their tumbler. Participants who visited all 13 parks earned a 2026 Metroparks annual pass, giving them even more reasons to come back and explore.

Over the past three years, the Trail Challenge has grown from 500 to over 1,100 participants, and is expected to be even bigger this year.

Simmet said that word-of-mouth recommendations have been one of the biggest growth factors for the Trail Challenge and a great way to get people out and enjoying nature.

Another reason repeat participants keep coming back each year is because the program stays fresh.

“Each year we change the location of the Challenge Trails, so participants are exploring new trails each year,” Simmet said. “And sometimes there’s a new amenity, program or activity that they can do in the area, allowing participants to experience more of the park.”

For park visitors, the Trail Challenge is a perfect excuse to branch out and spend time at Metroparks they might not normally visit. This year, the Metroparks expanded their reach, opening their 14th location and their first within Detroit city limits – the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden at Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park along the Detroit Riverfront, which will have its own kiosk for the 2026 Trail Challenge.

The Trail Challenge is built for everyone of all ages and abilities. This past year, the Metroparks added accessible and pet-friendly challenge trails at each of the parks, giving participants more options to choose routes that fit their needs and even offering a special Trail Challenge dog tag for pets that joined in on the fun.


Looking ahead at Lake Erie Metropark

This year, families can look forward to the Great Wave Pool reopening at Lake Erie Metropark, located at 32481 West Jefferson Avenue in Brownstown, as well as the annual Kids Fishing Tournament in June, a completely free community event where kids will receive a brand-new fishing rod, tackle, free lunch, activities, giveaways and much more.

For more information, to see what’s happening at the Metroparks or to purchase an annual pass, visit www. metroparks.com.