The Best Lantern Lit Hikes in Michigan This Winter
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Just because it gets dark before dinner doesn’t mean the outdoors shuts down. Michigan has embraced lantern-lit hikes in winter, and you’ll find them from the southern part of the state all the way to the UP.
There’s something about holding a lantern or walking a path of luminaries that flips a switch. Trails feel quieter. Snow crunches louder. Even familiar paths feel slightly mysterious, like the forest is letting you in on a secret it doesn’t share during daylight hours.
It’s calm, a little magical, and just adventurous enough to feel like you’re doing winter right. Let’s look at the top options for a lantern-lit hike in Michigan for winter 2025/2026, organized by date.
Hoffmaster State Park | Norton Shores, MI
December 6 & 20, 2025; January 10 & 25; February 7 & 21, 2026, 4:30pm – 6pm
Start with a little creativity before the walking even begins at Hoffmaster State Park. Visitors make their own lanterns, then head out on a softly lit path that leads toward the shoreline. The hike itself is simple and self-guided, which makes it easy to linger or move quickly. Ending at the beach after dark adds a peaceful, lakeside payoff to the evening.
Mt. McSauba | Charlevoix, MI
Friday Night from December 12, 2025 – February 18, 2026, 5pm – 8pm
Mt. McSauba’s candle-lit nights let you choose how to move, whether that’s snowshoes, skis, or boots, and follow the glow wherever the route leads that week. The changing paths keep repeat visits interesting, and the fire at the end gives everyone a reason to linger.
Ludington State Park | Ludington, MI
December 13, 2025; January 10 & 24, February 7 & 21, March 7, 2026, 6pm – 8pm
This lantern walk pairs forest trails with a classic park gathering spot. The route leads through a quiet section of Ludington State Park before everyone circles in at the amphitheater bonfire. Hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting turn the stop into a proper winter break rather than a quick pause.
Hawk Woods Park and Campground | Auburn Hills, MI
December 19, 2025, 6pm – 9pm
This lantern-lit hike leans into the calm side of winter. It’s less about distance and more about slowing down on one of the longest nights of the year. Soft light lines the trails, fires crackle nearby, and there’s time set aside for simple winter crafts and something warm to drink. It feels reflective, cozy, and intentionally unhurried, which fits the solstice perfectly.
Independence Lake County Park | Whitmore Lake, MI
December 21, 2025; January 2, February 6, 2026, 6:30pm – 8pm
Independence Lake County Park keeps lantern-lit hikes simple and social. A roughly one-mile loop winds through the woods, with the exact route adapting to winter conditions. After the self-guided walk, everyone gravitates toward the pavilion for a campfire and treats. It’s an easygoing evening where dogs are welcome, conversation flows, and the focus stays on enjoying the park after dark rather than covering miles.
Seberon “Boo” Litzenburger Nature Preserve | Harbor Springs, MI
December 21, 2025, 5pm – 6pm
The winter solstice sets the tone at this Litzenburger Nature Preserve lantern-lit hike. It works whether you are up for a quiet walk in the woods or would rather soak in the old schoolhouse local history and warmth while waiting for the light to return.
Mitchell State Park | Cadillac, MI
January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6 & 13, 6pm – 9pm
Every Friday night from January through mid-February, you can wander the Heritage Nature Trail at your own pace, guided by more than 100 lanterns. Snowshoes are available to borrow if conditions call for them. After the hike, there’s a bonfire and hot chocolate, so nobody has to pretend they are not cold.
Island Lake Recreation Area | Brighton, MI
January 3 & 31, February 28, 2026, 7pm – 9pm
Island Lake’s lantern hike feels polished without losing its winter charm. Lanterns line a looping trail near the water, casting just enough light to keep things calm and unhurried. Fire pits along the route invite quick warmups or longer pauses, and the setting makes an easy stroll feel more intentional. It’s familiar terrain seen in a softer, slower way once the sun is gone.
Holliday Nature Preserve | Westland, MI
Janury 8, 2026, 7pm – 8:30pm
The lantern-lit hike at Holliday Nature Preserve begins and ends around a firepit, with a naturalist leading the group through quiet winter woods to look for signs of animals that never fully disappear. On the way back, the tone lightens with a few tall tales by the fire. It’s part guided hike, part campfire folklore, and very family-minded.
Grass River Natural Area | Bellaire, MI
January 9, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
This lantern-lit evening keeps things flexible and low-pressure. Wander the trails at your own pace, whether that means walking, skiing, or snowshoeing, if conditions cooperate. Boardwalks glow softly through the trees, a campfire waits at the pavilion, and the heated building stays open for warmups. It’s very much a come-as-you-are winter night, with movement optional and cozy encouraged.
Note: This event has a $5 fee per person.
Van Riper State Park | Negaunee, MI
January 9, 2026, 7pm – 9pm
New for 2026, the lanterns are heading somewhere different. Instead of a traditional park trail, this snowshoe walk winds around the grounds of the Michigan Iron Industry Museum near Van Riper State Park. Lanterns light the woods, then the night shifts indoors, with the museum staying open late for a rare after-hours visit. It’s part winter hike, part history stop, and only happening once.
Mackinac Island State Park | Mackinac Island, MI
January 10 & 31, February 28, 2026, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
The Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island is like two adventures in one. First, you need to get to the island (not an easy feat in the winter months). Once you’re there, A lantern-lit route winds through Mackinac Island’s quieter side, designed for skis and snowshoes rather than boots. Enjoy the bonfire and hot cocoa before or after the trek, and then tackle the groomed trail by ski or snowshoe.
Pine Grove Country Club | Iron Mountain, MI
January 17, 2026, 4pm – 7pm
Strap on your snowshoes for the annual Stomp the Snow event in Iron Mountain. Food is part of the draw, not an afterthought, which turns the walk into more of a winter gathering than a workout. It’s the kind of event people build into their winter calendar every year.
January 24, 2026, 5:30pm – 8pm
Sleeper State Park after dark feels unexpectedly serene. Candlelight winds through the campground and dune trails, giving familiar terrain a softer edge. The walk wraps up near the campground office, where a fire, hot cocoa, and popcorn reward cold fingers. It’s a simple setup that lets the glow, the quiet, and the dunes do most of the work.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park | Paradise, MI
Every Saturday in February
At Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the experience feels bigger than a single trail. A lantern-lit snowshoe loop shares the spotlight with ski routes, packed walking paths, and views of the Upper Falls in full winter mode. The bonfire draws everyone back together, and the nearby brewery makes it easy to keep the evening going after the snow settles.
CHECK IT OUT: Interested in more Winter Adventures at Tahquemenon Falls State Park?
Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center | Shelby Township, MI
February 7, 2026, 7pm – 9pm
This lantern-lit hike adds an extra layer that you do not always get in winter. After walking the trails by soft light, the experience shifts upward. Local astronomy experts help hikers spot stars and constellations that are easier to see on crisp winter nights. It feels part nature walk, part low-key science lesson, with just enough wonder to make you linger outside longer than planned.
Hartwick Pines State Park | Grayling, MI
February 14, 2026, 4:30 – 7:30pm
Hartwick Pines does lantern hikes a little differently, mostly because walking through old-growth forest at night already feels special. The massive pines make the light feel softer and the silence deeper. After the hike, everyone funnels toward the Logging Museum bonfire to thaw out and linger. With the Visitor Center open and snowshoes available, it’s equal parts winter adventure and history-soaked hangout.
Hickory Meadows | Traverse City, MI
March 3, 2026, 5pm – 8pm
This hike has a built-in celestial moment you cannot schedule any other way. Lanterns guide the path, but the real show happens overhead as a total lunar eclipse turns the moon a deep red. The timing, right as winter loosens its grip, gives the walk an in-between feeling. Quiet, eerie in a good way, and unforgettable if the skies cooperate.
Note: This event has a registration fee of $5 per person. 12 and under are free.
Waterloo Recreation Area | Chelsea, MI
Check the schedule in January 2026 for exact dates and times
Waterloo Recreation Area is one of those lantern hikes people plan around, even before the dates drop. The trails are long, well-maintained, and feel removed without being remote, which makes the after-dark experience especially good. It also tends to draw a mix of families, regulars, and first timers, so the vibe stays welcoming.
Are You Ready for a Winter Lantern-Lit Hike in Michigan?
Michigan’s lantern hikes are welcoming, but a little prep goes a long way. State park events require a Michigan Recreation Passport, while many local hikes are free or ask for a small fee. Winter nights here are no joke, but organizers know that. Most routes include warming stations, fire pits, and staff who are happy to help guests dress smartly for the conditions.