Explore the best rated trails in Lansing, MI. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail and Fred Meijer Flat River Trail. With more than 43 trails covering 416 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The trail was a delight, and we enjoyed it, except for the two trail closings. One was just south of the "Beach," and the second was between Crego Park and the MSU campus. We turned around at the Beach, returned to the car, loaded the bikes again and parked at Potter Park. The spur to Crego Park was lovely, and we rode back to the downtown closing, so we had a ten-mile ride, but we were hoping for more. Two positives: very few stops for intersections and the river is in sight for most of it.
Good trail. As previous commenter mentioned, it's noisy due to US-23 traffic immediately adjacent. In good condition for cycling. There is also parking at the southern trailhead in a Park & Ride lot on Fieldcrest just north of Silver Lake Road. You'll need to cross Fieldcrest twice at the outset northbound. The gravel trail connecting to Island Lake mentioned is now listed.
They just recently smoothed the previous poor repair job between mile markers 4.5 and 5.5. Lightning did a good job with Bessie, it’s good to ride again.
I really enjoyed this trail everywhere east of Dort Highway. The trails west of Dort aren’t the best, and the area is somewhat sketchy. The people I saw waved at me, but I’m more worried about dogs than people. That’s just me personally. The map is outdated and the trails actually extend pretty far east of where it stops on the map. It extends east of Genesee RD along Stanley RD until Vassar RD. Then, the trail runs along the river from Vassar RD to Richfield Park (Parking available if you want to start here). The trail extends into Richfield Park for about a half mile, then you can follow Gravel Roads, and trails for a few more miles! I rode a gravel bike so I really enjoyed this area! There’s even DIY single track north of the rail trail in the Vassar RD area. Look on the north side of the trail, and you will see multiple access trails. My gravel bike handled them just fine. I wouldn’t try them though unless your an experienced rider because they run along a cliff that overlooks the river and it’s really rooted. You might lose your bike if you slip up! I would give it 5 stars, but the trail west of Dort Highway dropped it to 4.
Since repaving and connection with the Michigan Airline Trail, this trail has gone from one of the worst to one of the best trails around.
Completed twice this summer. Once staring at Marguire Park for free and heading north. Second time, paid to park at Hawk Island and headed north. Lots of hazards for roller skating due to construction, poor conditions, and lots of wooden bridges and boardwalks. However, it was a lot of fun and a beautiful ride. If looking for nice pavement and a easier go, stay close to Hawk Island and maybe do a few laps around the lake.
The only reason why I rated this 2 stars is for the segment that is downtown. We started from this trailhead to do the westernmost loop. For the most part the trail is awful. It is not maintained. There is very little signage, even at obvious junctions and spurs. And it is covered with goose droppings and overgrowth. Such a shame because it could be a nice way to get to know the city.
I road the trail to the Hawkins Road trail head last week. It looks like there is great progress extending the trail further toward Jackson. That new section of the trail appears complete as far as the eye can see, but it is not yet open.
July 2022 - Started in Lowell and rode north about 12mi to Smyrna and came back. It was a great trail. The first mile or two was paved, then it switched to well maintained crushed gravel. Most of it was very solid, with a few wet parts that were a bit soft but easily passible on a fat tire e-bike. While there were roughly 10 road crossings, it was very rural with most of your view being pasture, woods, ponds, and farm fields. I saw multiple deer, woodchuck, birds, and other wildlife. They were harvesting haybales at the farms, so that was cool to see as well. The trail was well traveled, so it felt remote yet safe given all the other walkers, runners, and bikers around.
I rode the Sycamore Trail on 7/24/22 and it was a great and scenic ride. Many wide open pastures, river, some industrial parks, the path kept away from the major roadways and noise. Very well traveled, well maintained, and had benches and a few restroom opportunities along the way. There were even some deer along the trail. I'd highly recommend the Sycamore Trail.
In the neighborhood , so I figured I'd try this trail. I was very pleased. Began at McGuire Park and headed north (and avoided the fee for cars just north of there) Struck out with the goal of reaching MSU campus. Trails abound like spaghetti, but if you have a destination in mind, there are a number of signs to follow (and much use of the Trail Link app). MSU is very bike friendly and offers its own spaghetti, in fact I ended up at the Kellogg Hospitality Center 3 separate times by surprise. Good to go in summer while classes out I suspect. From there I found the trail north past the zoo and to Old Town, which offers a lot of charm. Both legs had some sections that needed more TLC, but nothing that wasn't ridable, From there back south to McGuire Park to connect with the much newer Sycamore Trail. About 35 miles including wrong turns, but exploring was much fun.
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