The Bay City Loop (Riverwalk/Railtrail) shows community at its best, offering plenty of sights, sounds and activities along its route through Bay City and its parks, and through the residential and agricultural areas of Portsmouth, Hampton and Bangor townships. There are dozens of places to access and jump off the trail, and each one offers convenient parking and facilities, as well as clear signs to help you navigate the route. The trail's striking scenery is as diverse as the type of path you will follow. As scenery changes from woodlands and marshes to riverfront views and ball fields, the trail surface changes from asphalt to sidewalk alongside major roads, to boardwalk along the waterfront and back to asphalt through the residential neighborhoods and rural township lands.
The trail is shaped like a noose, with access points all along it. One starting point is on the northern end at the Bay City State Park (fee parking) where you will be treated to a sweeping vista of Saginaw Bay and the adjacent Tobico Marsh. In the first mile, the path connects with hiking trails to the west and an overlook platform with views of the marsh and the bay. Keep your eyes out for the interpretive signs along the trail, and stop to visit the nature center with its exhibits on what there is to see while you are here in this unique topography.
After 2.5 miles you leave the recreation area and travel through fields of wildflowers along a utility corridor that travels to downtown Bay City. At mile 7, follow the wide sidewalk connectors to and through Bay City's commercial and entertainment district, where you can access ball fields, a skate park and playgrounds at Defoe Park.
A half mile later you arrive at Liberty Bridge, which marks the start of the 9.5-mile Bay City Loop part of the system, traveling through downtown and the surrounding agricultural lands. A half mile into this loop, you reach the heart of downtown, where eateries will tempt you with a variety of ethnic cuisine.
From downtown the trail continues to a bustling marina and the popular waterfront Veteran's Memorial Park, featuring beautiful gardens, riverside benches and memorials of shipbuilding days gone by. The waterfront section features several ball fields, picnic areas and playgrounds.
At mile 9 bird-watchers will enjoy the stretch of trail that follows a boardwalk for a few blocks over the Saginaw River. A mile later, the trail courses through a distinctly residential district, where private gardens are resplendent with delightfully bright blooms. After Youngs Ditch Road near mile 13, and about halfway through the loop, the corridor opens up for a smooth pass through agricultural lands and countryside that will appeal to nature lovers.
Be sure to print a copy of the
rail-trail map before you go. The map consists of two pages and covers the loop as well as the newer extension to the Bay State Recreation Area.
The easiest access point for the trail is in Bay City at Veterans Memorial Park. Coming from the north or south, take Interstate 75 to Bay City and take Exit 162. Go east (toward Bay City) on Business I-75/State Route 25 for 2.5 miles. This becomes Thomas Street in town. When you reach John F. Kennedy Drive, you can turn left or right to either of the park's entrances.
The entrance to the trail looked good so I wanted to try it out. Big mistake. The trail has deep cracks running from one side to the other every foot or so, broken up glass, and lots of meandering people. Not a good ride at all...especially if you're ...
Part of this ride are nice. The Northern section through the Marsh and the dirt section near the marsh are worth the ride. The Bay City Loop is not so great because you are in to much car traffic and city streets
I ride this at least 5 times a week all spring summer fall love this trail. It is easy to connect from this trail to the one that goes out to state park also using the light on Wilder Rd at Patterson you can see the trailhead of the other trail.