Leelanau State Park's trail system (also known as Cathead Bay trails) is located 4 miles south of the lighthouse, rustic campground and day-use area on a separate piece of parkland. The trailhead and parking lot are at the end of Densmore Road, which is located off Lighthouse Point Road just north of Woolsey Airport.

The stunning trails take visitors through rolling hills and mature hardwoods and to a beautiful sandy beach at Cathead Bay.

Lake Michigan Trail (blue markers)
The Lake Michigan Trail is the most popular hike in the park. The 2.2-mile loop offers a picturesque hike through hardwood forests and access to the Manitou Overlook observation platform and a beautiful sandy beach at Cathead Bay via two different trail spurs. On a clear day, you might be able to see the Fox Islands or watch the sunset over North Manitou Island from the observation deck.

Mud Lake Trail (orange markers)
The 3-mile looped Mud Lake Trail takes visitors through the peninsula's hilly interior and passes along the west side of Mud Lake. There are two trail spurs that you can take to changed the length of your route, including the Maple Ridge Cutoff (.2 mile) and the Tamarack Cutoff (.5 mile). The first half mile of the trail has accessible trail features, including a hard-packed surface and rope system.

Winter Recreation Trail open Dec. 1-April 1 only
From the trailhead, take Mud Lake Trail to the marked Winter Recreation Trail, just past the Pothole Ridge trail spur. The 5.3-mile route follows old logging roads that are open to fat-tire bikers as well as hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Fat-tire bikes are only permitted if they have 3.7 inch or larger tires and there is at least 6 inches of snow. No mountain bikes allowed. The trail is open (and signed) Dec. 1 through April 1.