The City of Grand Rapids has several trails and natural areas that are considered gemstones of the area.
Aman Park
A 331-acre site, Aman Park has been preserved as a natural area with hiking and cross-country ski trails. This park has interpretive signs and six self-guided trails ranging from .8 mile to 1.5 mile loops. Aman Park is located on Lake Michigan Drive - approximately 6 miles west of the City. See our Aman Park Trail Guide.
Burton Woods
This six-acre site beautifully illustrates the restoration of land from the original agricultural domain of the area. Left to re-vegetate for the past 80+ years, this area has a series of trails under a dense canopy of trees. Burton Woods is located off Jefferson south of Burton SE.
Huff Park and Cattail Crossing
The 80-acres encompassing Huff Park features a 30-acre wetland boardwalk trail, which weaves through three distinct biospheres with paved pathways, boardwalks and interpretive signs. The natural habitat features a wide array of wild flowers and wetland inhabitants in the middle of an urban area. Huff Park is located at Ball Avenue and Aberdeen NE.
Huff Park Cattail Crossing in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Plaster Creek Trail - Phase I
Beginning at Ken-O-Sha Park School (1353 VanAuken SE) and following Plaster Creek, this pathway offers interpretive signs and a stunning display of spring-blooming wild flowers along the creek's bank and wetland areas. This portion of the Plaster Creek Trail is 1.2 miles.
Plaster Creek Trail - Phase II
The Plaster Creek extension is approximately 1.5 miles in length. It starts at Plaster Creek and Eastern Avenue, travels north on the east side of Eastern Avenue, crosses 28th Street then proceeds westerly to Division Avenue. The trail serves two purposes; a non-motorized trail and a flood protection and mitigation facility.
Riverside Park
The Park's 250 acres on the east and west sides of the Grand River offer a refreshing and beautiful natural environment within the City. The Park has extensive walking paths and vistas overlooking the river. The Riverside Park trail is 2.2 miles from Ann Street north to the highway overpass and 1.5 miles from the boat launch area near the former Home For The Blind north to the boat launch area at the north end.
Riverwalk Pathways
A comprehensive plan encompasses a downtown Grand River "boardwalk" trail and other watershed trails which will connect local trails to regional and statewide trails. The interconnected parks and pathways along the Grand River offer what will be a continuous loop, on both sides of the Grand River from Fulton Street north to Sixth Street. Walking this route, you will encounter a variety of art in park sites as well as historic interpretive markers explaining significant events in Grand Rapids history. Much of the downtown system is operational and an abandoned railroad bridge has been purchased to connect separate local trail systems and link with regional and statewide trail systems. The final trail systems will connect users to existing trails north to Cadillac (100 miles) and south to Barry County (50 miles).
Trail Maps and Information
Please download the following publications for more information regarding trails located in Kent County. Kent County Trails
Kent Trails
Plaster Creek Trail Phase I in Grand Rapids, Michigan
