Hi there!

 

The Clay Cliffs loop is an easy-going trail for a Leelanau Peninsula overlook for beautiful Lake Michigan views!

It’s a hiking trail in Clay Cliffs Natural Trail.

 

If you are looking for a somewhat short hike in the Leelanau Peninsula that will give you grand views, Clay Cliffs is one of your hiking options in the area!

 

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area in Leelanau Peninsula: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Michigan road trip. Near Traverse City. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

Highlights of the Clay Cliffs Natural Area hiking trail

 

It’s a hike through a forest

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: forest hiking trail. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

 

It’s a hike through meadows

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: meadows hiking trail. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

 

You get views of Lake Leelanau

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Leelanau. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Leelanau. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

 

And best of all…

You get views of Lake Michigan!

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

It will be best to do this hike on a sunny day, or at least when the sun is peeking out a little, so you can see the colors of the lake at its best!

At the time I was at the Clay Cliffs overlook, there was a little sunlight that was coming through the clouds.

 

 

About the Clay Cliffs hiking trail

According to the Leelanau Conservancy:

1.5 mile trail system on flat and hilly terrain.

There is a viewing platform above the bluffs, with breathtaking views from 200 feet above Lake Michigan.

On the trail to the bluff there are views of Lake Leelanau to the east.

Please remember the Clay Bluffs are fragile and off limits.

Please appreciate the view at a safe distance.

 

Giving yourself around 30 minutes on this trail should be good.

 

More about the Clay Cliffs Natural Area, again according to the Leelanau Conservancy:

Clay Cliffs is a stunning forested drumlin created by an accumulation of earth and stones deposited and sculpted by glaciers.

The dramatic 200 foot cliff is truly unique and comprised of clay lenses, sand, and gravel cut by fierce wave action.

From the observation platform, you can see panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Fox Islands, though there is no path down to the water’s edge.

In addition to the 1,700 feet of protected Lake Michigan bluff, an equal amount of shoreline on North Lake Leelanau is available for scenic enjoyment, wildlife viewing, and fishing.

The trail leads you to bluff edge through fields and mature hardwood forests that are home to fantastic wildflowers, songbirds, and raptor.

 

 

Hiking the Clay Cliffs Loop in summer 2020

What the people of Leelanau Conservancy would like you to know when visiting the Clay Cliffs Natural Area:

Clay Cliffs Natural Area visit in summer 2020. Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Maintain a space of at least 6 ft from anyone not in your household.

All trail loops are currently one way, counter clockwise

Always keep dogs leashed

Look out for fragile plants and small animals when stepping off trail to let others safely pass.

Please consider donating to the Leelanau Conservancy to help keep natural places like the Clay Cliffs protected and open to the public.

 

 

Distance from the Clay Cliffs Natural Area

The Clay Cliffs Natural Area is located in the Leelanau Peninsula, which is the northern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan, kind of near Traverse City.

  • Traverse City: Around 40 minutes
  • Mackinaw City (and bridge to the UP): 2.5+ hours
  • Detroit: 4.5 hours
  • Chicago: 5.5+ hours

Map location of Clay Cliffs Natural area in Leelanau Peninsula: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Michigan road trip. Near Traverse City. Northern Michigan travel blog
See this map on google maps.

 

 

Camping near Clay Cliffs Natural Area

There is no camping available directly at Clay Cliffs.

But there is a campground at nearby Leelanau State Park, and this is a campground that is basically right on Lake Michigan. There’s also a historic lighthouse located here, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

Leelanau State Park is around a 25 minute drive from Clay Cliffs, and the state park is located at the far northern tip of Leelanau Peninsula, as far you can go!

See more info about the state park camping.

 

🌳

 

 

 

And now…

A bit of what you’ll see with a hike on the Clay Cliffs loop trail!

aka… PHOTOS!

Things to do in Clay Cliffs Natural area in Leelanau Peninsula: hiking trail with views of Lake Michigan. Manitou lookout. Michigan road trip. Near Traverse City. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

There’s a road to the parking lot of the Clay Cliffs Natural Area right off one of the main roads of the Leelanau Peninsula.

 

Getting to Clay Cliffs Natural Area. Driving to Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Getting to Clay Cliffs Natural Area. Driving to Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

If you’re driving from the north, it’s a bit easy to miss, so be sure you’re paying attention when google maps tells you you’re approaching it. 

It’s best to have offline maps downloaded prior to your trip to the Leelanau Peninsula, as data connection (and phone service) may be spotty. The Google Maps app has offline maps that you can download for free. GPS will still work just fine in this area which can make offline maps a good way to get around.

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area parking lot. Driving to Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

Once you’re in the parking lot, you’ll see the trail.

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area hiking trailhead start location. Leelenau Peninsula hike. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area hiking trailhead start location. Leelenau Peninsula hike. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

Stop to read the information about Clay Cliffs Natural Area and the Leelanau Peninsula!

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area hiking trailhead start location. Leelenau Peninsula hike. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

You can see the trail map here too, although the trail is pretty easy to follow as there are signs along the way.

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area hiking map. Leelenau Peninsula hike. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

And then, start the hike through the forest! Photos as seen in the direction I did the trail!

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

And then, you’ll soon come across the Lake Michigan lookout!

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog
These people were one of the very few groups I saw while visiting Clay Cliffs Natural Area. This might be a good trail choice if you’re looking for hikes with less people! I did this hike on a Monday.

 

Overlook lookout at Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Overlook lookout at Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Overlook lookout at Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Overlook lookout at Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs loop hike to see Lake Michigan views in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

When you are at the lookout, you might see a trail that runs along the lakeshore. It’s requested that you stay off the trail because of erosion.

 

Clay Cliffs no hiking the lakeshore bluffs. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs no hiking the lakeshore bluffs. Leelanau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

Once you’ve gotten in views of Lake Michigan, you can continue the loop.

This will take you through a field where you can see Lake Leelanau. There’s a bench here to take in the views of the open field too. This could also be a good spot to stop for some snacks!

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area field meadows hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area field meadows hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area field meadows hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

And after a short hike through the field, you’ll continue the hike back into the forest and back to where you started to complete the loop!

 

Clay Cliffs Natural Area field meadows hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

Clay Cliffs Natural Area forest hike in Leelenau Peninsula. Northern Michigan travel blog

 

 

And that’s a bit about what you can see on the Clay Cliffs loop trail!

 

For more stunning Lake Michigan views when you’re visiting Leelanau County, also be sure to do one of the best hikes Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!

There is also a historic lighthouse on the Leelanau Peninsula that’s located not too far from Clay Cliffs!

 

HAPPY HIKING THE CLAY CLIFFS LOOP IN LEELANAU!

 

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