Carefree Travel Guide 2023

West Michigan boasts an incredible trail system that offers safe, low-cost adventure for people of all ages. Some are suitable for hiking, others for biking, jogging, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or even horseback riding. In every case – strap something on your feet and go!

Trek theTrails

You’ll find over 13,000 designated trails throughout the state of Michigan, making the Mitten state

home to one of the largest interconnected trail systems in

Brian Foley | Arcadia

The paved, four mile Van Buren Park Spur Trail ends in the city of South Haven. From there, you can access the Van Buren Trail State Park for an additional 14 linear miles that links the city of Hartford with South Haven. This terrain runs through open farmland, blueberry fields, dense forest, cranberry glades, and wooded areas. The Kal-Haven Trail State Park also connects South Haven and Kalamazoo with 33.5 miles of additional trail along an abandoned railway. Muskegon State Park’s breathtaking shoreline – over two miles long – is one of its most photographed features. You’ll also find renowned beaches, campgrounds,

picturesque picnic areas, and forested dunes, along with lighthouses and of course, trails. Here, you can traverse through more than 10 miles of hikeable trails in central West Michigan. The North Central Trail extends from Gaylord 73 miles north to Mackinaw City, making for one of the most scenic trails in the Midwest. These trailways run through farms, forest, lakes, and rivers, and are suitable for bikers, runners, and walkers of any age. Take a shorter trip between northern Michigan small towns, or explore more of the area’s diverse natural beauty on a longer trip.

the country. These trails are great for bikers, hikers, ORV riders, skiers, and snowshoers alike. Find information on all of the trails in West Michigan at Michigan.gov/ DNR.

CAN’T-MISS WEST MICHIGAN TRAILS

BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER GRAND RAPIDS Blandford Nature Center offers 264 acres of natural land as a resource where West Michigan families can enjoy outdoor recreational activities & educational programming year round. BlandfordNatureCenter.org

GRASS RIVER NATURAL AREA BELLAIRE 7.5 miles of magical trails on gently rolling terrain. Access to Grass River. Kayaks, snowshoes, and x-country skis for rent. GrassRiver.org

LAKE COUNTY’S MOTORIZED TRAILS SYSTEM LAKE COUNTY Immaculately groomed ORV/ Snowmobile trails and county road access through state wilderness, national forest, and quaint towns. Facebook.com/LakeCoTrails

MARQUETTE AREA Visitors to Marquette will find top-rated trails with over 100 miles of stunning routes to explore, offering everything from hiking and climbing to mountain biking and waterfall hunting. TravelMarquette.com

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#WestMichigan | 2023 Carefree Travel Guide