Map of bike paths / walking paths in the Grand Rapids area

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Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Grand Rapids urban area is located in Kent County in Western Michigan. It is situated on the Grand River and is the largest urban area in this portion of the state. Other communities in the area include: Wyoming, Forest Hills, Ada Township, Kentwood, Plainfield Charter Township, Walker and Caledonia.

Grand Rapids has several recreational trail systems located throughout the city. These are trails for bike riding, walking, running, sight-seeing and commuting to work or to school. There are paved pathways along the Grand River and that travel through other greenspaces in the urban area. There are also many paved pathways along major roadways in the city. Additionally, there are regional trails that span out from the city and extend far out into the countryside.

Kent Trails

The Kent Trails is a system of paved trails located along the Grand River, Johnson Park and Millennium Park in the community of Walker on the west side of Grand Rapids. The trail system extends from Baldwin Street to Wealthy Street and sits between Butterworth Street SW and the south banks of the Grand River.

Buck Creek Trail

Buck Creek Trail is a 1-mile long paved trail system that travels through the greenspace along Buck Creek in the community of Grandville. The trail extends from Canal Avenue SW to Wayburn Avenue SW. The trail goes past Wedgewood Park and Grandville Middle School.

Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park

The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail is a 93-mile long paved and unpaved pathway that extends from Grand Rapids to the community of Cadillac. The trail was constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of-way and is one of the major state rail-trails in Michigan. The route of the trail goes across wide open countryside, past farmland, past several small communities, through thick forests and over numerous creeks and rivers on picturesque bridges. The state park in a linear park that stretches the length of the trail. The trail is open to bike riding and hiking.

The south end of the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail is located at Ann Street on the south end of Comstock Riverside Park. The trail is paved for much of its route, but has two unpaved sections from Sand Lake to Big Rapids and from Reed City to LeRoy. The trail also intersects the Per Marquette State Trail in Reed City.

Read more about the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail

Musketawa Trail and Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail

The Musketawa Trail and the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail create a 30-mile long paved trail system that extends from Walker to Muskegon to the northwest of Grand Rapids. The asphalt trail was constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The route of the trail goes through beautiful rural areas, past farmland and thick forests, across 13 bridges and past wetlands. Wildlife is abundant and it is a bird watchers paradise.

The east end of the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail is located at the intersection of Walker Avenue NW and 3 Mile Road NW in the community of Walker. The trail crosses under Interstate 96 and heads to the northeast. The Musketawa Trail starts at 8th Avenue in the community of Marne. There is a large trailhead where the two trails meet.

Read more about the Musketawa Trail

Paul Henry Thornapple Trail

The Paul Henry Thornapple Trail is a 10-mile long paved pathway located in the communities of Kentwood and Caledonia to the southeast of Grand Rapids.The trail follows the route of an abandoned railroad right-of-way or travels alongside roadways. The route include residential areas and natural areas. The trail in the Grand Rapids area is part of a larger trail system that reaches as far southeast as Vermotville. The trail is still under development and only developed in separate sections.

The north end of the is located at 44th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue in Kentwood. The south end of the trail is located along W. Main Street SE in Caledonia.

Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trails

The Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trails create a lengthy system of rail trails located to the east of Grand Rapids. The trail system consists of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Trail, Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Trail and the Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawasee Trail. These trails are rail trails, constructed along abandoned railroad right-of-ways. They are paved or improved with compacted crushed limestone and have gentle grades and few road crossings. They travel across farmland and through thick forests. There are multiple old railroad bridges along the way.

The trails head to the northeast and to the east of Lowell, which is about 17 miles east of Downtown Grand Rapids.

Read more about the Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trails

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Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails in the area around Grand Rapids, Michigan..