Leslie is a tight-knit community found at the south of our State’s Capitol. It is in the middle of Michigan’s centers of politics, industry and education. Leslie is a small, friendly town, with a main street with shops and restaurants where you can get everything you need. The people here are extremely friendly and they will greet you by name after you first meet them.
Leslie was first settled by Elijah Woodworth, who built the first log cabin here. It was initially named Meekerville after Benjamin Meeker, a famous pioneer to the area. Jerry G. Cornell then named the town after the well-known Leslie family in New York. The name Leslie was officially adopted after a post office was assigned to the area. Leslie was later incorporated as a city nearly 100 years later in 1968. There are many exciting places here such as the beautiful hiking spots near Leslie Estates, so read on to find out more!
Red Cedar Nature Preserve and River Trail
The Red Cedar Nature Preserve and River Trailis excellent for a morning walk in the woods. It is a very well-maintained trail and there is moderate traffic here. The beautiful trail along the Red Cedar river is great for walking and biking. It connects to Harris Nature Center, Legg Park and Meridian Road park. This is a lovely place to enjoy some time outside in the fresh air.
Waterloo-Discovery Center Trail
This trail is a great educational place as it includes some history of the area. You can hike around all the trails around the center and enjoy the great experience. Here, you can find a lot of wildflowers, wildlife, trees, where you can soak in the peace and natural peace of the place.
Bunker Nature Preserve
The Bunker Nature Preserve spans 1.4 kilometers. It is a lightly trafficked loop trail found near Mason, Michigan with a nice forest setting. This trail is suitable for people for all skill levels. It is mainly used for walking, hiking, and nature trips. It is a small natural area with hilly trails, a small woodlot and a series of ponds. You can spot wildlife like birds, muskrats, deer and raccoons. It features mowed areas of grass with occasional signposts to ensure you are on track. This is a great place to walk to enjoy the wildflowers and scenery.
Riverbend Natural Area
This is a great area where you can walk, ski, run and bike. There are trails of every kind, including wide main trails and narrow single tracks. You can play on the little hills here. There are plenty of wildlife and gorgeous river views. Spend time outdoors in this peaceful, spacious, beautiful area.
Penosha Trail
The Penosha Trail is 8.0 kilometers in length. It is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Brighton, Michigan. It is used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible all year long. You can bring dogs here but they must be leashed.