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Calling all night owls, adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and intrepid hikers! We're heading into the darker months of the year, which means that the BEST WILDLIFE VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES are just around the corner. Join Expedition Detroit on a special "Night Hike Safari" at Highland Recreation Area's famous & historic "Haven Hill Natural Area" throughout the fall and winter to explore and enjoy the best of the Detroit area's outdoors - under the stars! This moderate-level guided hike explores one of the Detroit region's most famous, beautiful, and historic trails: the "Haven Hill Loop" at Highland Recreation Area. Starting from the idyllic Haven Hill Lake, the trail traverses the dense marshlands, mature forests, dramatic moraine hills, and remaining ruins of Edsel Ford's historic "nerve retreat." Yes - this trail includes a foray to the structural ruins of Haven Hill, the Ford Family's wilderness lodge that once hosted the likes of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Charles Lindbergh, and even the Prince of Wales. If you're looking to enhance your hiking strength, experience, and historical knowledge in the Detroit region's sole National Natural Landmark, then this is the perfect trail for you! EACH HIKER MUST WEAR A HEADLAMP OR CARRY A FLASHLIGHT! Participants can either bring their own or rent one from Expedition Detroit for $5. Headlamps are reservable via the online checkout and payable at the trailhead. VETERANS ALWAYS HIKE FREE! Use code "VETERAN" to redeem. MORE ON THIS TRIP: Meeting Point: Haven Hill Lake parking lot trailhead (first turn on your right after entering Highland Recreation Area) Trail Length: 3.7 miles Elevation Gain: 260 feet Trail Rating: Moderate Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Michigan Recreation Passport required for parking at the Haven Hill Lake parking lot CHECK OUT OUR #TRAILTUESDAY SPOTLIGHT ON THIS TRAIL: https://www.expeditiondetroit.com/post/trailtuesday-the-haven-hill-loop

Calling all night owls, adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and intrepid hikers! We're heading into the darker months of the year, which means that the BEST WILDLIFE VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES are just around the corner. Join Expedition Detroit on a special "Night Hike Safari" at Proud Lake State Recreation throughout the fall and winter to explore and enjoy the best of the Detroit area's outdoors - under the stars! This guided hike offers an engaging 3.1-mile loop along the southern bank of the Huron River, through towering pines, and around Proud Lake's stunning central marsh. Your highlight-reel adventure will provide plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, capture breathtaking photos, and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of one of southeast Michigan's most beloved wetland habitats. With an easy trail rating and minimal elevation gain, it's perfect for all skill levels! EACH HIKER MUST WEAR A HEADLAMP OR CARRY A FLASHLIGHT! Participants can either bring their own or rent one from Expedition Detroit for $5. Headlamps are reservable via the online checkout and payable at the trailhead. VETERANS ALWAYS HIKE FREE! Use code "VETERAN" to redeem. MORE ON THIS TRIP: Meeting Point: Proud Lake Huron River Fishing Site parking lot Trail length: 3.12 miles Elevation Gain: 59 feet Trail Rating: Easy-Moderate Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Michigan Recreation Passport required for parking at the Huron River Fishing Site parking lot CHECK OUT OUR #TRAILTUESDAY FEATURE ON THIS TRAIL: https://www.expeditiondetroit.com/post/trailtuesday-proud-lake-state-recreation-area-s-new-expedition-loop

Calling all night owls, adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and intrepid hikers! We're heading into the darker months of the year, which means that the BEST WILDLIFE VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES are just around the corner. Join Expedition Detroit on a special "Night Hike Safari" at Maybury State Park throughout the fall and winter to explore and enjoy the best of the Detroit area's outdoors - under the stars! This introductory-level guided hike will traverse Maybury State Park's beloved main "Hiking Trail Loop." Setting off from the 8 Mile Road trailhead, this 3.1 mile hike will cross the park's "wooded highlands," wildlife-dense marshlands, the picturesque Maybury Pond, and uncover the ruins of the Maybury Sanatorium. EACH HIKER MUST WEAR A HEADLAMP OR CARRY A FLASHLIGHT! Participants can either bring their own or rent one from Expedition Detroit for $5. Headlamps are reservable via the online checkout and payable at the trailhead. MORE ON THIS TRAIL: Meeting Point: Trailhead at the eastern parking lot of Maybury's 8 Mile Rd. entrance (turn LEFT at the crossroads after entering the park). The tour starts at the "MAYBURY SANATORIUM" sign at the trailhead. Elevation Gain: 127 feet Trail Rating: Easy Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Michigan Recreation Passport required for parking at the 8 Mile Trailhead VETERANS ALWAYS HIKE FREE! Use code "VETERAN" to redeem. CHECK OUT OUR #TRAILTUESDAY SPOTLIGHT ON THIS TRAIL: https://www.expeditiondetroit.com/post/trailtuesday-maybury-state-park-hiking-trail-loop

We've done the fieldwork. The results are in. Here's our argument for why April is the best month for backpacking near Detroit! Every season in Detroit's outdoors has its "thing." Skiing and snowboarding easily dominate the winter months as the " Big Four Ski Resorts " near Detroit bustle on deep powder days. On the other end of the calendar, kayaking and paddle boarding lure recreationists to our region's refreshing lakes and rivers on scorching summer weekends. Fall can be a mixed bag in light of peak marathon and mountain biking seasons overlapping, but the latest stats support that deer hunting still carries the season's recreational crown in southeast Michigan. How about spring? Easy choice: backpacking near Detroit. Especially in early spring conditions. If that has you scratching your head, we understand the misplaced confusion. For starters, April in Metro Detroit can still be pretty cold. Exhibit A, the light snowfall that covered my garden beds this morning. Other readers might be surprised that the Detroit region has bona fide backpacking trails . If that's you, then you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn that we actually have three multi-day trails - with more on the way. Fortunately for you, aspiring Metro Detroit backpacker, we've done the field testing on your behalf to arrive at this conclusion. Over multiple seasons, in variable conditions. The confirmed hypothesis is that April reigns supreme as the best month for backpacking near Detroit, and for a litany of reasons. Allow us to demonstrate through these 9 key ones. JOIN EXPEDITION DETROIT ON A BACKPACKING TRIP THIS APRIL! 1. APRIL MEANS SPRING WITHOUT (MOST OF) THE BUGS Early spring provides the best of the outdoors sans bugs - although stay on tick patrol " No thanks, I'll be fine. I don't want the smell. " I can't imagine the face I must of been making back towards this person at the trailhead of a guided hike of Highland Recreation Area's " Haven Hill Loop ." We were hiking in late June, and I had just offered the whole group a can of mosquito repellent for the hordes of blood-thirsty bugs that waited for us amidst the wetlands that hug the scenic trail. I insisted that they reconsider my offer. They respectfully, yet firmly, denied such reconsideration. Roughly a mile later, everyone in the group - myself and this particular hiker included - were dousing ourselves in bug spray. The allure of "peak season" backpacking during summer months can often be undercut by ravenous mosquitoes, flies, and other insects that thrive in warm, humid conditions. When you backpack in April, you largely remove that variable from the backpacking equation. A pesky mosquito may crash the party every now and then, but for the most part you'll be hiking well before the arrival of peak bug season. There is one major exception to this general blessing: ticks . Over the last decade, Michigan's resident tick population has grown steadily - including the proliferation of tick-borne illnesses. The main "hatching" occurs in early spring, so please invest in ample permethrin and other tick-preventive applications before hitting the trail.   2. NO CROWDS, NO WORRIES Find your solitude on early season trails Have you ever wondered what differentiates a " hiking trail " from a " backpacking trail "? The two terms may seem interchangeable, but our thorough, Expedition Detroit -internal analysis determined that a "backpacking trail" represents a trail specifically and logistically planned for multi-day use, while a technical "hiking trail" can be fully enjoyed as a day hike. Stated differently, all "backpacking trails" can be regarded as "hiking trails," but not all "hiking trails" are "backpacking trails." I had ample time to ponder this question and so, so many more while backpacking the Chief Pontiac Trail in 2023. Alone. Over long, long stretches of interconnected "hiking trails" forming one singular "backpacking trail." During "peak hiking season," you rarely get such an opportunity to ponder the depths of the universe while enjoying the de-stimulation of nature. Even the grandest of insights easily get lost to the incessant " Hi ," or " How's it going ," and especially unexpected dog visits, when you're sharing the trail with hundreds of other recreationists. Backpacking in April provides unparalleled opportunities to reap the mental health benefits of solitude in nature. Whether you're looking to brainstorm your life's next adventure or processing a recent trauma, we're firm believers that long, winding miles through a budding forest will provide the inspiration and restoration that your soul desires. Nature remains the best therapist and life coach freely available to us all. Blind Lake's stunning backcountry campsite 3. WIDE OPEN CAMPSITES April means open season on Metro Detroit's 5-star campsites I kicked myself for over a year. When I first backpacked the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail in 2023, I opted to skip my reservation at Pinckney's "Blind Lake Campground" for a final 13-mile push from Green Lake to Silver Lake. It seemed like the best use of energy after 3 full, adventurous days on the trail. Then I read - via multiple sources - that Blind Lake wore the crown of Metro Detroit's top-rated backcountry campsite . More specifically, Blind Lake's Site #3 is THE most sought-after campsite in our region. I would not repeat this blasphemous error. One year later, in honor of the Potawatomi Trail's 60th anniversary , I planned to backpack the famous loop with an overnight at Blind Lake. At Site #3. Which I reserved as soon as the Michigan DNR's website permitted me to do so. I fully-expected to share a picturesque early-spring night with several other backpackers. Instead, I had all of Blind Lake to myself. I built a roaring campfire with the ample supply of dead wood. I washed away the dust from the trail in the refreshing lake. I wrote in my journal, listened to the harmonies of the surrounding frogs and birds, and gazed gratuitously as the dazzling starlit sky above me. Most notably, I remained awestruck that no one else was there to share that experience with me. April backpacking near Detroit provides such wonders. 4. RETURN OF WARM DAYS ON THE TRAIL April backpacking provides a preview of warmer days ahead on Metro Detroit's trails " First Michigan tests you, then it rewards you. " This slogan became increasingly popular on my "outdoor social media feed" last winter, usually paired with a video clip of a harsh Michigan winter transitioning into warm beach days and vibrantly lush forests. While we're ardent winter supporters, we also acknowledge the additional resiliency required for an outdoor enthusiasts to thrive in the bitter cold of a true Detroit winter. Yes, even Team Expedition Detroit admits to romanticizing warm summer days when we're trekking through bone-chilling conditions. Well, if Michigan truly "rewards" you, then April's warmth represents the first gift of the season. Within an hour or two of arising from your tent, the warm spring sun will revitalize your spirit for long miles on the trail. You'll enjoy your snacks sitting on a moss patch or log in full sunlight, basking in its energizing rays. If you're lucky, you might even get to cool off in a refreshing stream or lake after a hot day on the trail. 5. ENJOYMENT OF COOL NIGHTS AT THE CAMPGROUND Cooler nights are ideal for enjoying roaring campfires and restorative sleep Not to undermine the last point, but April backpacking also carries the gift of cool - sometimes crisp - nights at camp. Yes, colder nights are indeed a backpacker's best friend. Allow me to explain through a personal tale of woe. Eleven years ago, I planned a road trip on a budget back from a friend's wedding in Colorado. Rather than paying for another roadside hotel, I opted to book a campsite in rural Missouri in July. While en route to said campsite, I noticed that the outside thermometer hit 110ºF while in Kansas. I watched with a fool's hope as the temperature barely dropped as the sun began to set. By the time we reached our destination, the heat had relented to a respectable 104ºF. Safe to say zero sleep was obtained that night. Scientific studies consistently report that the optimal room temperature for sleeping is between 60º and 67ºF. While April's nighttime temperatures typically dip well below this range, it's worthwhile to note that a quality sleeping bag is rated for temperatures well below "optimal range." Stated differently, ideal "backpacking nighttime temperature" for market backpacking gear is more like 40sº-50sº since your sleep system should account for the 15-20º temperature difference. You guessed it: those nighttime temperature ranges are typical for April in Metro Detroit. Approach towards Prospect Hill - one of the famous "5 Summits" of Metro Detroit hiking. 6. BEST VISIBILITY FOR WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS Minimal fresh growth means panoramic views - even when in thick conditions " Wow, I had no idea Metro Detroit looked like THIS?! " That line could easily serve as another tag line for marketing Expedition Detroit's guided hiking tours - especially during "off-season" conditions between November and May. Alright , fine - the truth is that we hear exclamations like that every month of the year. But the cooler temperatures of the off-season months provide exceptionally good photography, wildlife spotting, and landscape viewing opportunities simply due to the lack of foliage. While our trails are renown for their beautifully dense coverage and brilliant fall colors, "stick season" conditions unveil the dramatic contours of our region's moraine ridge lines, flowing creeks and streams, inspiring high point vistas, and abundant wildlife. April represents the "last month standing" for these pristine visibility conditions before Metro Detroit's thick forest coverage subdues them. Don't miss your opportunity to enjoy our resident vistas while backpacking this month! 7. EARLY SEASON TRAINING FOR LONGER "PEAK SEASON" TRIPS Executing a shorter, early season backpacking trip provides excellent training for longer adventures later in the year Let's start with an objective truth: Metro Detroit has adventure-worthy destinations that, despite our best efforts, remain overlooked by the mainstream outdoor community. Fortunately that narrative is rapidly changing, and we will continue to promote and create world-class outdoor adventure opportunities while the rest of the world catches on. That being said, the wide world of adventure has terrain that is objectively more challenging than our local confines. I've spent most of my adult life utilizing the Detroit region's most rugged trails as idyllic training grounds for other, "Peak Season" trips. From the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail to Peru's Inca Trail, Mt. Kanzer to Mt. Kilimanjaro, backpacking Metro Detroit's trails in early season conditions has proven to be a trusted training routine for conquering some of the world's most difficult backpacking feats later in the year. 8. EXPERIENCE THE SPRING BLOOM ON THE TRAIL April backpacking provides the rare opportunity to experience spring's first blooms in the heart of nature My favorite Earth Day occurred on April 22nd, 2023. I awoke to the gentle patter of rain on the roof of my trusted REI Camp Dome tent , a light-two person tent that I've carried on most of my backpacking adventures. Once the rain subsided, I emerged to find that, as expected, I remained the sole inhabitant of Waterloo Recreation Area's "Pines" backcountry campsite from the day before. Thirty minutes later and a full breakfast stored efficiently in my belly, I embarked on a full 24 hours of uninterrupted indulgence in nature through Waterloo's "high country." Over 12 miles of trekking through the heart of the park, including summiting "Prospect Hill," one of Metro Detroit's "Five Summits" and the highest point of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. The best part of this full day on the trail, though? The bloom - spring's annual adoration of Metro Detroit's wildest places in a colorful splendor that would even fill King Solomon with envy. Wildflowers danced eagerly along the trail, while the gentle green hue of miles upon beautiful miles of unspoiled woodlands just emerging from winter's slumber provided a hypnotic backdrop to nature's renaissance of vitality. Sunbeams glinted off of the morning's remaining rainfall on the nascent leaves. Bird songs filled the otherwise silent air. Everything felt new, and pure, and beautiful again. There's no psychedelic or therapeutic experience on the market that can rival such an immersion into the spring bloom. All that's required is nominal planning and maximum presence on Metro Detroit's backpacking trails during early spring - and especially in April. 9. OPPORTUNITY TO TEST "ALL SEASON" GEAR The variability of April backpacking near Detroit means you'll most likely be able to test the full spectrum of your backpacking kit. April showers do indeed bring May flowers - as well as the opportunity to test the full spectrum of your backpacking kit . If you've made it to this point of the article, then we're willing to bet that you've actually read the aforementioned points. Of the many themes to be extracted from those points, a main one includes that April backpacking near Detroit will throw the whole gamut of conditions at you. You could easily wake up with light snow on your tent, thaw out to scorching heat, quickly build your shelter under a downpour, and then fall asleep next to tranquil waters...only to wake up to more snow. Yes, that variability can be frustrating. But it also provides a rare opportunity to test the full spectrum of our backpacking kit on a condensed, early season trip. Trust me - it's a lot better to learn that your rain gear doesn't work when you're within an hour's drive from a local REI vs. 13 miles into the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park. If that sounds like an incredibly specific example, well, let's just say it was a lesson learned the hard way. Are you looking to test our hypothesis on why April is the best month for backpacking near Detroit? You're in luck - Expedition Detroit is proud to launch GUIDED BACKPACKING TRIPS along the Potawatomi Trail this April! Limited spots remain, so book now to start your spring backpacking adventure through the best of Metro Detroit's outdoors!

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition journeys to the Detroit region's northernmost destination - Holly Recreation Area - and its quintessential Wilderness Trail Loop . We invite you to explore this oasis of wilderness on our metropolitan frontier! "Wilderness in Oakland County - alright, I definitely need to check this one out." Those were my thoughts as I first read about Holly Recreation Area's famous " Wilderness Trail Loop " in Jim DuFresne's 50 Hikes in Michigan guidebook, and admittedly, I was skeptical. Don't get me wrong, I was practically praying for the "wilderness" designation to hold true, but come on... Holly Recreation Area is located in Oakland County and bisected by I-75, one of the premiere commercial corridors of the entire State of Michigan. Could this trail really hold up to its name? How does one even define " wilderness "? The WILD Foundation has provided the most immediate definition available on Google: " Wilderness " is " the most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet – those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with roads, pipelines or other industrial infrastructure ." " Those last truly wild places ." We at Expedition Detroit love that shorthand version of the definition, because it denotes a sense of scarcity to the nature of wilderness. Yes, the stunningly vast and untamed mountainous regions Out West undoubtedly qualify as wilderness. But under this definition, so does those hundreds of acres of forest that our forefathers decided were worth preserving in their God-ordained state, free from the scourge of development that the coming decades would unleash around them. Those sanctuaries that have become vital component's of North America's fight against a mental health epidemic . Those trails where you can just be in your natural state. Yes: we're relieved to report that the Wilderness Trail Loop qualifies as a bona fide wilderness area. A truly wild place where you can explore free from developed society's omnipresence. It's our pleasure to reintroduce Holly Recreation Area and its most beloved trail now. MEET HOLLY RECREATION AREA The formal history of Holly Recreation Area dates back towards the end of the Second World War . As hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors, and pilots started to return from the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific, those men also brought back an unprecedented interest and experience with outdoor recreation due to their military training, outdoor gear, and newfound leisure time afforded to them by postwar prosperity. From the mid-1940s on, this booming interest in America's outdoor spaces prompted an explosion in the development and protection of Federal, state, and community parks. Holly Recreation Area and its 8,007 protected acres resulted from that interest . In 1944, the preliminary boundaries of Holly State Recreation Area were established and the park officially opened in 1948. The development of picnic areas, campgrounds, and structural facilities continued into the 1950s, including the establishment of Mt. Holly Ski Area (before its transfer to private ownership in 1966). The park's size continued to grow well into the 1980s as the Michigan Department of Conservation acquired approximately 3,500 additional acres straddling both sides of I-75. Nearly 80 years since its establishment, the Holly Recreation Area of today still maintains its defining rolling woodlands and open fields for endless outdoor recreational opportunities. The recreation area has evolved into a generational destination for hiking, camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating, and hunting. As of recent years, the park has also become increasingly sought-after for mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Nonetheless, hiking still remains Holly Rec.'s most popular recreational activity, with 66% of park visitors exploring its forests and grasslands on foot. And - you guessed it - the Wilderness Trail Loop represents Holly Recreation Area's most revered hiking route. Let's get to the trail.

Sixty years of POTO! In honor of the Potawatomi Trail's anniversary, we retraced the bootprints and tire marks of generations of Detroit's greatest outdoor enthusiasts along one of our region's most beloved trails. "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." This quote from tennis player Arthur Ashe is beautiful in its simplicity and applicability. Whether you're building a business, strengthening a relationship, or just conjuring the motivation to get out of bed, sometimes trying to chart the ideal route for tackling life's most daunting challenges can be overwhelming. Especially when viewed in the aggregate. A group of Detroit-based outdoor enthusiasts had a major life obstacle of their own about 70 years ago. In the post-WWII era, Michigan as a whole - and especially Metro Detroit - experienced a boom in interest in outdoor recreation. In the 20 year period following the end of the war, Michigan gained 29 state parks and recreation areas, 11 of which were established in Southeast Michigan within a two year period . As we all know, an explosion of Michigan state parks and recreation areas weren't the only "boom" occurring in the post-war era. Michigan's population grew nearly 50% in the same timeframe, leading to a particularized emergence of youth interest in outdoor recreation. There was only one problem: accessible backpacking trails. Believe it or not, the Detroit region's Boy Scouts were largely leaving the state in the 1950s in order find "suitable hiking trails" for scouts to practice their skills within. So, in 1957 - inspired by the founding of the Chief Pontiac Trail in Oakland County - the Boy Scouts of Michigan petitioned the State of Michigan to build a designated hiking loop trail in the region. After years of negotiations, the Potawatomi Trail was formally approved by the State and the Portage Trail Council Boy Scouts of America in early 1962. The trail officially opened two years later on May 23, 1964 at about 12 miles in length . Over the next 60 years, its expansion to 17.6 miles included the construction of multiple bridges, steel markers, countless Eagle Scout projects, and 52 years of fundraising hikes to raise over $250,000. More importantly, "Poto" inspired both the flourishing of Detroit's backpacking community, including the later construction of and integration within the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, and its mountain biking faithful. In honor of Poto's 60th anniversary, we set out on 2024's inaugural Expedition Detroit backpacking trip to retrace the bootprints of generations of Detroit-based outdoor enthusiasts. What we (re)discovered were flourishing forests, wide open trails, spacious campgrounds , crisp waterways, and a crackling fire. It's our pleasure to report that the 60-year dream of creating a destination for Detroit-region backpacking is alive and well. It's our privilege to reintroduce Pinckney State Recreation Area and the Potawatomi Trail now. EXPERIENCE THE POTAWATOMI TRAIL FIRSTHAND ON A BACKPACKING TRIP WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT! MEET PINCKNEY STATE RECREATION AREA The modern history of Pinckney State Recreation Area dates back to our last ice age. Truly - the park's dramatic moraines and kettle lakes that our regional recreationists love to hike, bike, hunt, and fish were formed within the Jackson Interlobate Range as the glaciers receded across the Great Lakes region ~10,000 years ago.

EXPEDITION+ provides members-only access to the best of Metro Detroit's outdoors! From exclusive discounts and tour offerings to a wide variety of partner offerings, EXPEDITION+ is your base camp for exploring the Detroit region. expedition+ BEST PRICE Explorer $4.99 $ 4.99 Every month +$5 Explorer Initiation The starter EXPEDITION+ plan! Enjoy exclusive member discounts on Expedition Detroit guided trips, store items, & more. Valid until canceled 7 day free trial JOIN NOW 10% discount on all store items 15% discount on most guided trips Unrestricted access to top-rated Expedition Detroit blog Additional member-only perks MOST POPULAR Adventurer $9.99 $ 9.99 Every month +$5 Adventurer Initiation Most popular EXPEDITION+ plan for dedicated adventurers! Discover the best of Detroit's outdoors with better discounts, larger member offerings, and early access to new Expedition Detroit offerings. Valid until canceled 7 day free trial JOIN NOW 10% discount on Expedition Partner experiences 15% discount on all store items 30% discount on all guided offerings Unrestricted access to top-rated Expedition Detroit blog Additional member-only perks BEST VALUE Trailblazer $14.99 $ 14.99 Every month +$5 Trailblazer Initiation The ULTIMATE EXPEDITION+ plan for unlocking the best of Detroit's outdoors! Enjoy the largest discounts, exclusive benefits, and member-only perks for new Expedition Detroit experiences. Valid until canceled 7 day free trial JOIN NOW 15% discount on Expedition Partner experiences 20% discount on all store items 40% discount on all guided offerings Special welcome gift Unrestricted access to top-rated Expedition Detroit blog Additional member-only perks Welcome to Base Camp for Detroit's Outdoors ONE PLAN. ALL OF DETROIT'S OUTDOORS. That's what an EXPEDITION+ membership unlocks for you. From savings on Expedition Detroit experiences and store products to exclusive discounts on the full spectrum of the Detroit region's outdoor world, EXPEDITION+ is your basecamp for exploring bucket list-worthy destinations near the Motor City.

EXPEDITION+ provides members-only access to the best of Metro Detroit's outdoors! From exclusive discounts and tour offerings to a wide variety of partner offerings, EXPEDITION+ is your base camp for exploring the Detroit region. expedition+ BEST PRICE Explorer $4.99 $ 4.99 Every month +$5 Explorer Initiation The starter EXPEDITION+ plan! Enjoy exclusive member discounts on Expedition Detroit guided trips, store items, & more. Valid until canceled 7 day free trial JOIN NOW 10% discount on all store items 15% discount on most guided trips Unrestricted access to top-rated Expedition Detroit blog Additional member-only perks MOST POPULAR Adventurer $9.99 $ 9.99 Every month +$5 Adventurer Initiation Most popular EXPEDITION+ plan for dedicated adventurers! Discover the best of Detroit's outdoors with better discounts, larger member offerings, and early access to new Expedition Detroit offerings. Valid until canceled 7 day free trial JOIN NOW 10% discount on Expedition Partner experiences 15% discount on all store items 30% discount on all guided offerings Unrestricted access to top-rated Expedition Detroit blog Additional member-only perks BEST VALUE Trailblazer $14.99 $ 14.99 Every month +$5 Trailblazer Initiation The ULTIMATE EXPEDITION+ plan for unlocking the best of Detroit's outdoors! Enjoy the largest discounts, exclusive benefits, and member-only perks for new Expedition Detroit experiences. Valid until canceled 7 day free trial JOIN NOW 15% discount on Expedition Partner experiences 20% discount on all store items 40% discount on all guided offerings Special welcome gift Unrestricted access to top-rated Expedition Detroit blog Additional member-only perks Welcome to Base Camp for Detroit's Outdoors YOUR PLAN. ALL OF DETROIT'S OUTDOORS. That's what an EXPEDITION+ membership unlocks for you. From savings on Expedition Detroit experiences and store products to exclusive discounts on the full spectrum of the Detroit region's outdoor world, EXPEDITION+ is your basecamp for exploring bucket list-worthy destinations near the Motor City.

Expedition Detroit is your go-to source for original content, guided outdoor adventures, and recreational gear for exploring the best outdoor opportunities within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit. ADVENTURE STARTS HERE World-class outdoors. One hour from Downtown Detroit. CHOOSE YOUR EXPEDITION In The Woods On The Water Down The Hill On The Trail On The Hunt START YOUR ADVENTURE join our top-rated guided outdoor trips Expedition Detroit proudly offers the largest variety of guided hiki ng, backpacking, and s nowshoeing tours across all Michigan State Parks BOOK YOUR EXPEDITION Trail Beers: The Ultimate Drinking Guide to Detroit's Outdoors - March 2026 Edition LIFESTYLE Mar 16 Michigan Turkey Hunting Cheatsheet: Guide for Spring 2026 HUNTING Mar 12 Join the Club: The Five Most Prominent Running Clubs near Detroit RUNNING Mar 10 Top 8 Outdoor Events near Detroit - March 2026 Edition OUTDOOR EVENTS Mar 2 Golden Days: Key Takeaways from the Winter Olympics for Metro Detroit WINTER SPORTS Feb 25 Trailblaze Detroit: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of Detroit's Ski Resorts TRAILBLAZE DETROIT Feb 20 MOST RECENT ARTICLES Direct from the field to your feed. EXPLORE MORE WORK WITH US We work with industry-leading brands and hometown retailers alike in our mission towards building a better outdoor ecosystem for Detroit. From retailers to influencers, manufacturers to advocates - if your work creates value for Detroit's outdoor community, then we want to work alongside you. our partners To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. LEARN MORE Subscribe to the Expedition Detroit Newsletter! SIGN UP Thanks for submitting - you have been added to our monthly Newsletter subscriber list. We can't wait to see you out there! the Expedition Detroit Official Store Whether you're in the field, at the gym, or on the couch, we have prepared our favorite threads for your next adventure. Essential Gym Shirt from Under ArmourⓇ Price $38.50 Add to Cart All-Black Athletic Shorts (Unisex) Price $39.99 Add to Cart Under Armour® Men's Polo Price $79.50 Add to Cart Branded Camp Hatchet by Motor City Axe Price $99.99 Add to Cart Deer Camp Hoodie Price $56.00 Add to Cart Branded Camp Axe by Motor City Axe Price $139.99 Add to Cart Expedition Wine Tumbler Price $21.99 Add to Cart Organic Ribbed Beanie Price $22.00 Add to Cart Classic Dad Hat Price $40.95 Add to Cart Women’s Cropped Windbreaker Price $54.00 Add to Cart Expedition Fanny Pack Price $32.99 Add to Cart Kids Fleece Hoodie Price $39.50 Add to Cart Quarter-Zip Athletic Sweater Price $116.95 Add to Cart Men’s Columbia Fleece Vest Price $61.00 Add to Cart SHOP FULL STORE About Expedition Detroit READ MORE The Detroit Region: a world-class outdoor destination worth exploring, celebrating, and protecting. That is the core belief of this business, and every aspect of our operations originate from it. Expedition Detroit is your go-to source for original adventure marketing content, guided trips, and recreational gear for exploring the best outdoor opportunities within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit. Our sole focus is to support, inspire, and expand Detroit's outdoor community. We can't wait to see you out there. Let's Get Social