Top Ten Outdoor Events near Detroit throughout November 2025
- Dan Cooke
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
The leaves and temperatures may be rapidly dropping, but the Detroit region's outdoor events calendar will stay vibrant throughout November. Here is the Expedition Detroit rundown of the top ten outdoor events near Detroit that we're STOKED about experiencing. Happy Turkey Month, Detroit!
You heard it here first: November is the most underrated month for outdoor recreation throughout the ENTIRE year.
While some may be tempted to view this month as a "shoulder season" - the transitory guide from the peak autumn colors of October to the fresh snowfall of December - we are immensely excited about the outdoor action that you can only experience during November, especially when it comes to these 10 premiere outdoor events.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to publish that we're extremely thankful for the hosts and vendors that brave the cooling temperatures to stage these end-of-season events. We invite you to share in our gratitude by joining in with one, two, or all of these top 10 outdoor events near Detroit for November!
1. Run with the Dead for Día de los Muertos
November 1st | Southwest Detroit | 7 a.m.
Brace yourself - an action-packed November begins TOMORROW, November 1st! The festivities begin with Detroit's predominantly Latino community that will continue to honor and celebrate the dear-departed well into the first week of November. Día de los Muertos - "Day of the Dead" in Spanish - is one of the most widely-celebrated cultural holidays across the United States, especially among Southwest Detroit's residents of Mexican heritage. As part of the festive celebrations, the Southwest Detroit Business Association is hosting its annual "Run of the Dead" 5K/10K race and fundraiser for the Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest. Don't forget to pack in family photos of your ancestors to add to the festival's ofrenda.
2. Burn Through the Trails at the Bonfyre Trail Fest
November 8th | Waterloo State Recreation Area | 10 a.m.
In early November, the trails on the western rim of the Detroit region are set ablaze with excitement during the annual Bonfyre Trail Fest! Bonfyre represents the last event of RF Event's fantastic "GOAT Trail Series" for the 2025 season, and will include 5, 10, and 18-mile trail races. The perks of this trail runner's dream event go far beyond the post-race beer garden, live music, and roaring bonfires - you'll be running the famous, roller-coaster DTE Energy Foundation Trails at Waterloo State Recreation Area.
EXPLORE WATERLOO STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
3. Hunt for Hoots on an Owl Hike
Throughout November | Lake Erie and Oakwoods Metroparks | 6 p.m.
With the days getting shorter, there's no better time to experience one of the Detroit region's most elusive residents - our local owls! Fortunately for all of us, our friends at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks are experts concerning all matters nocturnal birds of prey. Visit Lake Erie Metropark for a guided"Owl Prowl" hike on November 7th and 21, as well as Oakwoods Metropark for its "Evening Owl Prowls" occurring throughout the month. Both events include 2 hour, entirely outdoor programs aimed at learning about - and experiencing - Eastern Screech Owls and other resident owls in their natural habitats. Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program.
7. Run for the Fudge of It at the Kona Chocolate Run
November 9th | Belle Isle State Park | 9 a.m.
One of Kona Running Company's slogans is "Run for the Fun of It." Well, for this uniquely-chocolate themed final race of their 2025 season, Kona invites runners of all skillsets to run for the fudge of it during its annual Kona Chocolate Run event!
Ready for more? The Kona Chocolate Run has COMPLETELY revamped what was already a fan-favorite race for its 2025 rendition! This year includes a new location at stunning Belle Isle State Park in Detroit, as well as 5K, 10K, and a new 15K events. Fortunately, crossing the finish line still provides runners with the rewards they crave: the legendary Chocolate Buffet, including multiple stations filled with steaming hot cocoa, cakes and muffins, ice cream, chocolate-dipped treats, creamy chocolate milk, candies, and the famous chocolate bar carving station.
Come for the course. Stay for the chocolate.
5. Get in the Woods for Whitetail Deer Firearm Opening Day
November 15th | Statewide in Michigan
Waking up on November 15th in Michigan is always an interesting experience. No, you're not hearing a delayed Fourth of July party or a Civil War reenactment kicking off at 7:30 a.m. on a Wednesday. You are in fact witnessing the "official-unofficial Michigan state holiday" - the opening day of whitetail deer firearm season. The most celebrated day of the year for hunters and the single most important day of the year for the Michigan DNR's conservation efforts. A festive experience that we at Expedition Detroit encourage all of our readers to participate in, even if that's just by purchasing a tag to financially support the DNR's operations and protection of our precious natural resources.
Planning on heading into the woods this year? Please take a minute or two to review our "Opening Day Checklist" article prior to the 15th. For any non-hunters that plan on venturing into the woods on the 15th, please wear blaze orange outer clothing - especially if you plan on trekking through the woods around sunrise or sunset hours. Even if hunting is not permitted along your typical hiking route, the gun opener has a unique ability to draw out hunters of varying degrees of experience and ethics. Be safe, be seen.
GEAR UP FOR DEER SEASON WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
6. Celebrate National Hiking Day Exploring your Local Trails
November 17th | Throughout Detroit Region
Did we need the prompt of a national holiday to celebrate hiking? No, of course not.
Are we stoked that one exists and will therefore celebrate excessively? Yes, of course we will.
In honor of the wealth of hiking opportunities that we have in our region, we at Expedition Detroit plan on hosting several guided hikes throughout the Detroit region on National Hiking Day. We are offering an exclusive discount code - HIKEFORALL - for ALL GUIDED TRIPS during the week of November 17th through 23rd!
REMEMBER: Please wear blaze orange on your National Hiking Day adventures since the holiday comes during the middle of the regular firearm season in Michigan).
CELEBRATE NATIONAL HIKING DAY ON A GUIDED HIKE WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT!
7. Express your Gratitude for our State Lands by Giving Back
Throughout November | Various Michigan State Recreation Areas
If you're reading this article, then we'd be willing to bet that you've enjoyed our Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas thoroughly during "peak season" this year. In fact, you're probably still enjoying our trails that are decorated with brilliant foliage - and we hope that you'll join us in continuing to explore them well into the winter months.
Our collective ability to enjoy year-round access to Southeast Michigan's pristine trails relies heavily on the work of a small group of individuals. Shockingly small.
This Thanksgiving season, let's express our immense gratitude for their tireless efforts by volunteering at a DNR-led "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" event. The DNR will be hosting 5 across the Detroit region this November: Pinckney Recreation Area (November 2nd, 23rd, and 30th), Bald Mountain Recreation Area (November 8th), and Waterloo Recreation Area (November 29th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. Rainboots or other waterproof boots are recommended for these events, and preregistration is required.
8. Embrace being "That Relative" and Run a Turkey Trot
November 27th - 28th | Various Locations
Restful holiday sleep be damned, you have a race to run! Seriously though, we wholly-endorse ignoring the social media memes, setting your alarm, and getting up early to run a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot before the holiday traditions literally and figuratively consume the rest of your day. The Detroit Parade Company's annual Turkey Trot is undoubtedly the hallmark race of the holiday, although Running Fit's Ann Arbor Turkey Trot is also a very popular event. There's an option for avid trail runners as well - Move-It Fitness will be hosting both its "Turkey TRAIL Trot" AND "Leftovers" races at Stony Creek Metropark, which include half-marathon, 10K, 4-mile, and 2-mile trail races for participants.
9. Skip the Mall for a Black Friday Outdoors
November 28th | Rolling Hills Park and Proud Lake State Recreation Area
Stick it to the consumerist machine! Or don't, we really don't judge here at Expedition Detroit. However, if you do decide to follow the outdoor industry's lead to #OptOutside, then do we have the perfect events for you!
Mountain Bikers: The Potowatomi Mountain Biking Association is leading its annual "Black Friday Ride" at 10 a.m. across Rolling Hills, covering a total of 15 miles of single track and gravel riding. Launching from the Rolling Hills Lodge, the ride will cover about 7 miles at Rolling Hills. Post-ride pizza and refreshments will be waiting for you back at the Rolling Hills Lodge.
Trail Runners: Yes, the late-season races keep coming! Trivium Racing will continue its annual Thanksgiving weekend racing tradition, the Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler trail race at 11 a.m.. The pristine trails of Proud Lake State Recreation Area will host the event - honestly, that alone provides a great reason to register. We're also thankful for the perfect excuse for going for that second (ok, third) plate during Thanksgiving dinner!
10. Run in the Milford Gobbler Gallop
November 29th | Milford, Michigan | 8 a.m.
Let's be honest - even the most hardened runners enjoy some well-earned rest & relaxation sometimes, especially when it comes to holidays. That being said, missing out on a tradition like a Thanksgiving weekend run also doesn't sit well with holiday-orientated outdoor enthusiasts. If only it were possible to sleep in on Thanksgiving Day, watch the Lions, enjoy your Thanksgiving meals, and THEN burn off the calories with a festive run.
Call it a Thanksgiving miracle: our friends at Running Venture have crafted this EXACT holiday scenario for us all to experience! With Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the rearview mirror, head over to Downtown Milford on Saturday, November 25th, to run in RV's "Gobbler Gallop" race series. This year's series includes 1 mile, 4 mile, AND double event opportunities that wind out through downtown Milford, onto the beautiful Milford Trail, and finish back on Main Street. All event registrations include race swag like a custom race shirt, medal, and refreshments. We'll see you at the starting line!
Happy November to you all - we can’t wait to see you out there!
This article contains sponsored content for which Expedition Detroit has received compensation.
Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? Awesome - we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com or (734) 821-6416 to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.
Great info to keep the Holidays healthy!!!