South Swan Creek Loop Trail Hiking in Michigan

The South Swan Creek Loop Trail is a 5.7-mile loop trail located in Allegan State Game Area in Michigan. It is a popular trail for hikers, birdwatchers, and campers. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Here’s a video of the trail.

The trail begins and ends at the M-118th Avenue dam. From the dam, the trail follows Swan Creek Pond to 116th Avenue, then returns on the pond’s other side. The trail passes through a variety of habitats, including forests, marshes, and open fields.

South Swan Creek Loop Trail

Along the way, you can see a variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, ducks, geese, and turtles. You may also see some of the many wildflowers that bloom in the area, such as:

• Spring wildflowers: trilliums, jack-in-the-pulpit, spring beauties, mayapples, and wild geraniums.
• Summer wildflowers: daisies, black-eyed Susans, goldenrod, and asters.
• Fall wildflowers: goldenrod, asters, and witch hazel.

This trail is a fairly easy trail, making it a great option for families and beginner hikers. The trail is also fairly well-maintained (with one caveat), making it easy to follow. However, there are a few areas where the trail can be muddy, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Also, there are dozens of trees down across the trail. This makes you have to climb over, go under, or go around. Be prepared for this.

If you are looking for a beautiful and easy hike in Michigan, the South Swan Creek Loop Trail is a great option. Here are some tips for hiking the South Swan Creek Loop Trail:

• Start early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks. A great pack for this hike would be the Deuter Speed Lite 25.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
• Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for wildlife.
• Leave no trace.

Additional Trail Information

• The trail is open year-round, but it is best to hike during the spring or fall when the weather is mild.
• There are two parking areas for the trail: one at the M-118th Avenue dam and one at the 116th Avenue parking lot.
• This is a state game area. Hunting is allowed, which means you should wear bright colors and be aware of the hunting seasons that are happening during your hike.
• The trail is well-marked in most areas, but it is a good idea to bring a map with you. There are several other trails and two-tracks in the area.
• There are a few places where the trail can be muddy, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear.
• Be sure to leave no trace when you hike.
• As of this writing (8-22-2023), it appears that the north east section of this trail has been clear cut over. There isn’t a trail to follow other than a path made by a logging vehicle (it does go along the mapped route per Alltrails). However, there are no markings here, so be aware of that.

We hope you enjoy your hike on the South Swan Creek Loop Trail!

Reading More

Be sure to check out some wilderness survival tips here. And if you’re hiking with kids (which this trail is a great option) check out our recommendations on camping with kids. Hiking isn’t your speed? Check out 4 Islands you can kayak to and camp on in Michigan. We also have some kayak safety tips to help make your paddling adventures safe.