Exploring the Polly Ann Trail in Oxford, Michigan
Oxford, MI, is a beautiful town in Oakland County, Michigan. Many visitors remark about its picturesque landscape and numerous outdoor activities. One of Oxford’s most popular outdoor activities is walking and biking on the Polly Ann Trail. The Polly Ann Trail in Oxford, Michigan, is one of our favorite places to walk. The walking is easy and mostly flat. The trail is wide and well-kept. You can immerse yourself in nature and also find conveniences along the way.
Where is the Polly Ann Trail
The Polly Ann Trail begins in Orion Township on Joslyn Road just south of Waldon Road and ends at Stanton Lake Road in Lapeer County. The Polly Ann is a very long trail, and we have mainly walked several sections of the Oxford and Lake Orion areas. You can access the maps of the entire trail system at https://pollyanntrail.org/view-trail-maps/. The Village of Oxford has two parking areas for direct trail access. There is one on Pleasant Street https://goo.gl/maps/KaQHrxLtzDdkFtRe7 and the other is on Glaspie Street https://goo.gl/maps/72XauRMMu6T1eet47. The map linked above lists many other parking spots along the trail.
Short History of the Polly Ann Trail
The Polly Ann Trail is a 34-mile-long trail built on an old railroad bed that started as a rail line in 1879. The first passenger train ran from Pontiac to Caseville in 1883, with many spectators cheering along the route. In 1889, the railroad changed its name to the Pontiac, Oxford, and Northern, abbreviated to “P.O. & N.”, which eventually became the “Polly Ann.” The line never made a profit, and many owners sold it repeatedly. In 1984, the last train ran the entire length of the line. Less than a decade later, Grand Trunk Western Railroad sold the corridor to Michigan’s DNR in 1993. Today, the trail is a popular destination for walkers, hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and nature enthusiasts.
Things to do on the Polly Ann Trail
The Polly Ann Trail in Oxford, Michigan, offers various outdoor activities for people of all ages. The trail is perfect for hiking, biking, running, and horseback riding. Numerous picnic areas and scenic overlooks along the trail are perfect for a relaxing afternoon with family and friends. Within the village limits, restaurants are within easy reach of the path. Just a few steps off the trail, there are several quick eateries: a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a pizza place, a convenience store, and a sandwich shop. For the slightly more adventurous, you are only a few short blocks from downtown and many dining and shopping storefronts. In the winter, the path is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Wildlife on the Trail
The Polly Ann Trail is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, turtles, and many species of birds. The trail is also home to various plants, including wildflowers and native grasses. Nature enthusiasts will love exploring the diverse flora and fauna along the trail system. Unfortunately, I don’t have photos of wildlife from the trail because I am the world’s worst wildlife photographer. I am too entranced by what I see to even think about pulling out a phone or camera to snap a photo.
Some features of the Trail Through Oxford, Michigan
We have walked several sections in all types of weather and seasons with various ages and abilities. The section from just north of downtown Oxford to Drahner Rd is fully paved. At each end of that section where the pavement ends, is solid ground topped with a layer of fine gravel, making it easy to walk, run, push strollers, or ride bikes. The trail is free of debris and overgrowth from plants and shrubs, but is not plowed in the winter.
A wide, sturdy bridge crosses M24 with a view of downtown. This bridge is an attraction to people of all ages. The bridge has no stairs and is a reasonably easy slope to walk up and down and is therefore accessible to most people.
Another section just between Seymore Lake Rd and Drahner offers a set of side trails that are a mixture of blacktop and boardwalk. The terrain through these pathways is slightly hilly and challenging. You can use them as a closed loop that brings you back to the Polly Ann Trail, or you can take a short side-trip to the library and updated playground that is a favorite for kids of all ages. See our post on Powell Lake Township Park for more information.
Just south of this set of side trails is a large pond with a boardwalk out to an overlook on the pond. From this vantage point, there are many fish, turtles, birds, and muskrats to watch.
Our Most Recent Walk on the Polly Ann Trail
The last time we strolled the path was a warm summer evening. We saw a turkey run across the trail just as we started walking, but, as noted above, I was not quick with the camera, so we did not get a photo. We walked westward up the path toward the bridge. There are many wildflowers along the pathway: Queen Ann’s Lace, Butterfly Weed, Sweet Pea, Thistle, and others we didn’t identify. We also saw a rabbit and many butterflies on this trip.
We walked past the coffee shop, White Pine Coffee, and down to the Frosty Boy ice cream shop, where we turned around and walked back, up and over the bridge again. There were other walkers and families out using the path as well. At one point, we walked along and heard the familiar ding of a bike bell behind us. I am always grateful when the bikers announce their presence as they come up from behind. It is a safe and courteous gesture to ensure there are no accidents. I waved at the couple on the bikes and thanked them for the bell sound. The gentleman turned slightly and said, “She’s been dying to use that.” We all chuckled as they rode off down the path.
If you are looking for an outdoor adventure in Oxford, Michigan, the Polly Ann Trail is the perfect destination. With its scenic beauty, rich history, and diverse outdoor activities, the trail offers something for everyone. So grab your hiking boots, bike, or horse and hit the trail for an unforgettable experience. Just one trip and you will see why this is on our list of the Best Things to do in Oxford. If you have worked up an appetite or a thirst, be sure to check out the coffee shops and restaurants around the area.
For more information on other areas of the Polly Ann Trail, click here.