Find the top rated birding trails in Benton Harbor, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Easy flat trail that is very well maintained. Lots of stops to cross busy streets but many people stop their cars to let us cross. The trail mostly goes behind houses and neighborhoods.
Prairie Duneland was the first rail trail we rode, so for us it's a sentimental favorite. It's also close to home, so we ride it often.
As others have noted, most of the trail is well shaded and screened by trees, making it a cooler ride on hot days. The tree screening also helps make windy days more manageable.
But, with trees come roots, which often are the source of bumps and cracks on paved trails. Other than a short stretch near the Cleveland Avenue trailhead in Hobart, this trail mostly has escaped that problem. (Technically, that stretch is actually on the Oak Savannah trail, see below.)
Another good thing about Prairie Duneland is that it connects to several other trails. Just west of 149, the Iron Horse Heritage Trail branches off to the north - at about 2 miles it's a relatively short but nice trail.
Prairie Duneland also connects seamlessly at its west end to the Oak Savannah trail - in fact, if you start in Chesterton and head west, the last mile and a half or so before Cleveland Ave is actually the Oak Savannah. If you're so inclined (and willing to put up with a stretch of some twists and turns with non-existent signage through downtown Hobart), you can ride the entire Oak Savannah, link to the Erie Lackawanna Trail in Griffith, and end up in Crown Point.
These trails are all almost entirely flat and well paved. The one warning is that a rail crossing at roughly mid-point on Oak Savannah can sometimes be blocked by stopped trains.
There is now trailhead parking at the South Haven end of the trail. There is a parking lot on Aylworth Ave. between Kalamazoo St. and Monroe Blvd. The trail is also paved between that trailhead parking and Van Buren State Park.
Drove down from Grand Rapids, Mi to experience the Bicentennial Trail. The trail is short ( 3.6) but a comfortable 8 miles (we added a half mile by going beyond the park on paved side walk at south end) by going out and back. Trail was older but black top surface was very usable and kept in repair. For a short trail it had lots of nice surprises in twist, turns, slight hills and surrounded by nature in the middle of a city environment. Parking was plentiful with several trail lots at both ends and in the middle. It was a 77 degree, sunny November 6th which added to the enjoyment. Trail was quite busy but everyone knew and followed trail etiquette. Highly recommend this trail.
Flat tide on a cement trail. Benches online the trail. Not much shade so in the summer months it may be a hot ride, A few roads that you need to cross.
Very nice. Paved trail , pretty color change, nice scenery along the river . Very rider friendly.
Loved our ride. Very nice well kept trail. Began at 10th st trail head with the red caboose. have to say was a very pleasant Sunday morning ride, even as busy as it was. Between the Kalamazoo River Trail ride on Saturday and this one, well worth traveling from IN for
Did a few miles from South Haven trailhead. Beautiful time of year, path was dry and packed well. Great trail for all ages if riders.
Rode this from Goshen to Shipshewana and it was wonderful. Favorite part for me was between Middlebury and Goshen actually closer to Goshen probably because it was early October and the fields were beautiful and the many tunnel of trees were so colorful. Wonderful trail, very well kept, safe, almost flat and exceptional scenery. Never tired of the scenery.
Nice shady paved trail but does not connect to Indiana Dunes state park
Very short only connects with Calumet trail which is dirt and crushed limestone
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