3. Leonard Preserve

Overview: This is a large, top-notch preserve situated along the River Raisin. It has an extensive trail network that passes through wetlands, prairie, woods, and meadows. The southern half is a bit hilly -- there is a 100 foot change in elevation between the highest and lowest points in the preserve. Deer seem to be fond of the western side of the preserve near the Hillside Trail.

A grand tour using trail segments on the perimeter of the preserve is about 3.6 miles long. I've saved a copy of this route on MapPedometer .

If you follow the above route in the late summer or fall, you may come across Osage oranges  [Wikipedia ] at about the 1.9 mile mark.

The 2010 and 2018 trail maps seem accurate aside from one small detail. The "Prairie Loop" (marked in red on the maps), has a connecting trail running east-west near the adjacent cemetery. While it is accurately rendered on the OpenStreetMap, it is entirely missing from the 2018 map, and the connecting trails in that area shown on the 2010 map have been removed.

No dogs, bikes, or hunting allowed.

Caution: Despite the ban on hunting, during the deer hunting season (generally Nov. 15 -- 30) there may be some limited hunting going on inside the preserve. In that case, some trail segments may be closed to hikers. In 2023 there were two periods with hunting allowed: Oct. 19 -- 22 and Nov. 8 -- 30.

Directions: Head west on I-94. Take Exit 159 in Chelsea, and continue south on M-52 for about 10 miles to Manchester. Turn right (southwest) on Main Street and continue on Main for 5 blocks, then right (northwest) onto Union Street. Veer left at the fork so that you stay on Union. If you see the "Dead End" sign, you'll know you're on course. This dead end takes you directly into the preserve; look for the small parking lot about 1/4 mile down the road. It will be on your right.

Driving time to the preserve from the Jackson Road entrance to I-94 on the west side of Ann Arbor is a bit under 1/2 hour. More scenic drives are possible by heading west on Scio Church or Pleasant Lake Road all the way to M-52.

Excerpt from the website: Leonard Preserve is the largest natural area in the County's system of NAPP preserves and protects nearly one mile of River Raisin shoreline. Located just northwest of the Village of Manchester, this rich and diverse landscape includes rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, prairie and former pasture land. The diversity of habitats makes for very good wildlife viewing. Wood ducks, coyotes, blue racers, and Blanding’s turtles are some of the animals you may see at this preserve.

Be sure to visit the south end of the Leonard Preserve. Here you will find a 10-acre prairie remnant, which is home to some uncommon wildflowers and grassland nesting birds. The prairie grasses often grow over five feet tall by autumn. If you enjoy expansive vistas, a hike to the southernmost hills in any season is worth the effort!