Best of West Michigan: Parks and Trails
We love getting outside and exploring the beauty and diversity of West Michigan and what better way to do that than at some of the hundreds of parks here! Below are just a few of our team favorites! These parks offer everything from scenic hiking trails, to bike paths, to playgrounds for the kids!
Beth’s Pick-Aman Park: A favorite on the Northwest side of Grand Rapids. The park is well maintained and marked! It is dog friendly (must be leashed) and kid approved! Take a hike and check out the colors, find wild life, listen to the birds, or just get some exercise. The main loop at the park is 2.3 miles, very easy elevation and paths are cleared to make it easy walking!
Jessica’s Pick-Ensley Nature Preserve: One of our go to hiking paths is Ensley Nature Preserve in Sand Lake. This is just 5 minutes from our house and a beautiful area for a quick walk in the woods. There are 5 trails, with the longest being only 1 mile. Even my teenager doesn’t mind hiking a short 1 miler! There are memorial benches to rest at, educational signs for different trees/leaves, scenic outlook deck, bird houses through-out, playground for the kids. A not so great day and turn great with a short walk in nature! Get out and enjoy!
Katy’s Pick-Hemlock Crossings: I discovered this trail last year and it has quickly become a favorite. Located just a few miles north of Holland this is one of the biggest Ottawa County parks and there is so much to do here! There is a Nature Education Center full of live animals, educational materials, and other fun things to discover! With over 6 miles of trail (1 mile paved), you can explore the beautiful woods and Pigeon River wetland area to your heart’s content! The trails are pet friendly and can be used by cross-country skiers and snowshoe lovers in the winter. There is also a canoe/kayak launch-all of this for FREE!
Kevin’s Pick-Heritage Park: We like going to our nearby park for walks and runs! We take the kids usually do a few laps around the pond, stop off at the playground to have a snack, and let the kids play. It’s dog friendly too! We’ve been here in all seasons and it’s nice to have somewhere close to us where we can run outside on unpaved trails. Bonus is it’s not over crowded!
Mark’s Pick-Pigeon Creek: You might know this place as a winter sports haven in West Olive, but this park is also lovely during the other seasons of the year! The trails are open to hikers, bikers, and horse riders! In the winter they become cross country skiing trails complete with tubing hill and ski lodge! A hidden gem in the West Olive area!
Kirk’s Pick-Pickerel Lake Park: Pickerel Lake is a beautiful Nature preserve that retains Michigan’s pure, simple splendor. Begin the main 2-mile loop along a lengthy boardwalk with breathtaking views of this pristine, and uninhabited lake. Spot deer and other abundant wildlife as you follow the trail around the preserve. Several off-shoot trails can add some extra mileage to your hike, leading you away from the shore and into the wooded hills that surround. The trail system is marked well and is quite easy to navigate. It is very hiker friendly, and can be used for hiking, xc-skiing, and snowshoeing. Sorry, no bikes or pets are allowed on the trails.
Do you have a favorite park or trail we should highlight? Let us know! If you are looking for a home near your favorite trail, we can help! Contact us today for all of your real estate needs!