Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park, Rail trail and state park in Livingston County, Michigan.
Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park is a rail trail and state park in southern Michigan that runs between Whitmore Lake and Jackson. The path crosses forests, wetlands, and open farmland, and the surface changes from paved asphalt in the east to limestone and natural ground farther west.
The trail follows the corridor of the Michigan Air Line Railroad, which opened in 1884 and stopped running in the 1970s. After the line closed, the route was gradually converted into a public recreational path.
The trail connects multiple communities and serves as a gathering place where locals enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year. The surrounding lakes and open spaces hold meaning for nearby residents who use them regularly.
The eastern section between Hamburg and Pinckney is paved and easy to walk or cycle, while the western half has looser surfaces that also allow horseback riding. Conditions vary with the seasons, so it is worth checking trail status before a long outing.
Along the route, there is a chain of eight connected lakes that all drain into the Huron River watershed. This group of lakes is visible from the trail and shapes the feel of the middle section in a way that surprises many first-time visitors.
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