Adventure Starts with a Map
If you’ve spent any time on Drummond Island, you know the adventure doesn’t start at the trailhead—it starts with the map.
The newly updated Drummond Island Recreation Map highlights just how unique this destination is, offering an interconnected system of land and water trails that showcase the island from every angle. From ORV and ATV routes to snowmobile trails, hiking paths, paddling routes, and nature preserves, Drummond Island truly offers something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the island’s trail system is its diversity. Riders can explore miles of designated off-road trails ranging from beginner-friendly routes to more technical terrain, while hikers and snowshoers can enjoy quieter paths like the Heritage Trail or the Clyde and Martha Williams Nature Preserve. On the water, paddlers can follow the Island Explorer H2O Trail, weaving through shoreline, bays, and open water for a completely different perspective of the island.
Behind the scenes, this system is supported by ongoing collaboration between local organizations—including Drummond Island Silent Sports—and dedicated community groups working to implement the goals outlined in Drummond Island Township’s 5-year recreation plan. These efforts, alongside coordination with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Trails, Wildlife, and Forestry), help ensure the system continues to evolve in a way that balances access, conservation, and long-term sustainability.
If you haven’t taken a close look at the map recently, it’s worth exploring. You might discover a new trail, a new activity, or a new appreciation for just how much this island has to offer.
If you do head out—tread lightly, respect the land, and enjoy the adventure.
Clyde and Martha Williams Nature Preserve: A Popular Self-Guided Hike
The Clyde and Martha Williams Nature Preserve is one of Drummond Island’s quieter, more understated outdoor gems—a place that feels a little more like stepping into the island’s natural history than just going for a hike.
What it’s like
- About 80 acres of mostly forested land
- A mix of:
- Hardwood forest (maple, beech)
- Conifers (hemlock, cedar, balsam fir)
- Small open areas from old farmland
It’s not flashy—it’s quiet, layered, and very “Northwoods.
The trail
- Roughly 1.3–1.5 mile loop
- Easy terrain (great for all ages)
- Takes about 30–60 minutes
This is the kind of trail where you slow down and listen for birds.
What makes it unique
This preserve has a surprising amount of geologic and historic character packed into a small area:
- Ancient post-glacial shorelines (from when the Great Lakes were forming)
- Fissured bedrock and boulders visible at the surface
- An old stone wall built by early settlers
It’s one of those places where you can see layers of time:
- Ice age geology
- Early homesteading
- Natural forest regrowth
Wildlife & birding
It’s also a really solid birding spot:
- Warblers, vireos, thrushes
- Scarlet tanagers and wood-pewees
- Owls like barred and great horned
And like much of Drummond, don’t be surprised to see deer right on the trail.
Where it fits on the island
Compared to other Drummond Island experiences:
- Less busy than ORV trails
- Comparable to the Heritage Trail in terms of hikability (easy to moderate)
- A great complement to the island’s more rugged adventures
Good to know
- Dogs are allowed on leash only
- Located at 30230 E Maxton Rd on Drummond Island
- Managed by the Little Traverse Conservancy
