Battle Creek Linear Park Reviews    

Return to the Battle Creek Linear Park page

Submit a Review

Great find!

By redheadrunning in September, 2012

My fiance and I were visiting friends in the area over the holiday weekend and needed somewhere to get in our long run; after mapping the area via mapmyrun.com I stumbled upon the Battle Creek Linear Path and our problems were solved! We parked in the gravel lot at the farthest end of Jackson St. and ran to Battle Creek Christian School and back. (For 13 miles total) We enjoyed the views, especially downtown, and ran in to lots of deer on the path but not so many runners until later in the morning (prob because we started about 6:15 am on a Sunday). Our only complaint? No porta-potties! :( Thankfully we found one at the playing fields at B.C. Christian but it would've been nice to have had one at least at one of any of the many gravel lots we passed for parking and/or somewhere downtown. Otherwise, great trail, loved the wooden bridges and the dips into the woods. If we're ever in the area again, we'll definitely be running here.

old but beautiful trail, suggest getting a map

By martinf in July, 2012

I rode the trail today end to end, scenic at each end, but more interesting downtown. The signage is indeed very poor but it is hard to get lost because the trail follows the north bank of the rivers most of the way. The best access point with ample parking is at Bailey Park on the eastern end (corner of Capitol NE and Roosevelt). The eastern portion of the trail is also the most scenic so make sure you stop at the observation decks. The western end is a different story: The trail runs into the bike trail following M96 (Dickman Rd) at Brady St. There are no signs and there is no public parking lot on the corner, but if you follow Brady St into the bleak industrial neighborhood past the railroad tracks there is a large unmarked (public?) parking lot next to the trail just before the street dead ends into a car parts factory parking lot. An alternative parking lot dedicated to trail parking is on the river bank immediately east of North Bedford on Jackson St. A map of the trail system surrounding this trail is available online as a printable PDF file at http://www.bcparks.org/jsps/linear_park.jsp and also at boxes on the trail downtown near the Underground Railroad Sculpture (at Division street trail crossing). The trail is also unmarked at the left turn off Capitol Ave (Shell Station on the corner) if you want to take the loop to Kellogg Comm College up a good sized hill. The trail condition varies even though it is all paved. The older portions have roots causing unevenness of the pavement and the boardwalk sections are showing their age but it was good to see some recently replaced boards. For a nice break, stop at the restaurant in the old train station with outdoor seating right on the trail and also take a look inside this beautifully restored old building.

beautiful trail

By fred d in March, 2012

after an hour of trying to find where to get on the trail at west end and parking we finally got on . We lucked out on perfect weather in early spring and the trail along the river was most enjoyable. Some parts had heaving pavement so you had to watch and prepare yourself for the bumps. All in all a wonderful trail mostly well maintained. Sometimes it would seem you lost the trail . A detailed map in hand would have been good to have. Just wish we lived closer so we could enjoy it more often. Looking forward to going back again. If you have time to plan ahead try to get detailed map of Battle Creek.

Expecting Better

By j.kortman in August, 2010

My husband and I tried this trail today. We started at the Bradley trailhead. Not really a place to park but being that it was Saturday we did finally decided to park in one of the industrial lots. The trail on this end has many crack, holes, and grass growing up in it. When we got closer to Battle Creek we ran into trouble because of the oil spill on the Kalamazoo River. We crossed a bridge over the river only to find the trail blocked off, probably because of the spill. Also, don't stop on the trail when in the woods portion because you will be swarmed by mosquitos. A little bug spray would be wise, or just keep moving if possible. The scenery by the river is beautiful. Maybe we will try again once the oil clean up is over.

Agree on signage

By krapfrnn in August, 2008

We agree on the signage issue. It is very difficult to find the western trailhead even with the directions provided. There is no marked parking for the trail, nor any sign to tell you where it begins. There are several private businesses with parking lots. Right on Dickman Rd and N. Brady Rd. there is a sign announcing the trail, but the only information on it is about Fort Custer. There are no trail maps on the signs and no paper maps or brochures anywhere we could find.
Since it was Sunday, we parked in one of the business lots and started on what we thought was the trail since it had signs that said "No Motor Vehicles". It turned out to be the trail, but when we came to a bridge, the trail forked with no sign indicating which fork led where. One went under the bridge, and it was obviously newer asphalt so we went that way thinking it was a new way to safely get past the bridge. The trail followed Helmer Rd. which is busy, noisy and ugly with businesses and light industry until it came to a dead end at Dickman Rd. near the airport.
We followed it back to the bridge and tried the other way which led to the north side of the river and the trail to downtown Battle Creek. Sadly, we didn't have time to follow this all the way.
The trail is bumpy despite being paved, so on some of the long down hills, it isn't safe to let gravity take you up to high speed. It is a pretty trail along the river.
A recent storm had felled a number of trees which had been cut and moved off the trail, so there is some maintenance going on.
We agree with the reviewer who said to print and bring the trail map.

Great Trail. Poor Singage

By in August, 2005

"I made the short commute from Kalamazoo over to Battle Creek to ride this trail. I had quiet a time finding the western trailhead. I ended up parking where the trail crosses hemler road. The river is beautiful to ride next to. All 22 miles of the trail were very well maintained and clean. The trail proper is extremely hard to following downtown BC, so remember that your on the River trail, thus follow the river. I rode on the river trail from west to east for 22 miles ending at the minor league baseball stadium. Id suggest parking at the McDonalds by the stadium. From here you can take the trail i rode on or take another one that meanders through more residential areas. Downtown is a good half way point and offers good eating places as well as a bike shop. All and all it was a very nice linear trail. I'd give it an 8 out of 10."

Good trail in need of management

By Rickeelrivertrail in August, 2004

"Print the pdf map of the trail from the trail's website and have it with you or you will be lost, as trail is very poorly signed. Great scenery along rivers. We rode 22 miles encompassing the whole city. Paved, but rough in spots. Drinking water hard to find,not noted on map. Very large bike shop downtown between two tallest building helped us out with vital repair. Great Zoo also just south of Battle Creek. "

River of dreams

By Patrick in April, 2003

"I have been up and down the trail along the river many times and always liked the idea that there was a bench along the way to stop and enjoy the river, trees and the geese that swim there. It's a wonderfull place to go.

If anyone is out for a fun family bike outing this is just the place. The linear park also has a playground for children and plenty of places for parents to sit and watch and relax.

It's a wonderful place."