Okemos, MI Birding Trails and Maps

644 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Okemos?

Find the top rated birding trails in Okemos, 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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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
53 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Applewood Trail

1.8 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Concrete

Bicentennial Park Pathway

2.7 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Black Creek Nature Trail

1.7 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Chevy Commons Trail

0.89 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Falling Waters Trail

11.25 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Fieldcrest Pathway

3 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail

41.3 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail Trail

15.5 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone

Fred Meijer Heartland Trail

41.9 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Fred Thwaites Grand River Trail

3.2 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Genesee Valley Trail

4.43 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Granger Meadows Park Trail

1.9 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

ITC Corridor Trail (Novi)

4.66 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Island Lake Trail Connector

0.8 mi
State: MI
Crushed Stone

Kensington Metropark Trail

9.5 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Kettering Gateway Trail

0.7 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

LAFF Pathway

2 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Lohr-Textile Greenway

4.2 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Boardwalk

M-21 Non-Motorized Path

1.66 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Concrete

Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail

2 mi
State: MI
Asphalt
Accordion

Michigan Air Line Trail

6.8 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park

38.2 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone

Milford Trail

4.2 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Portland Riverwalk

9 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Saginaw Valley Rail Trail

11 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Sycamore Trail

2.1 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Thomas Township Trail

3.1 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Valhalla Trail

1.3 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Battle Creek Linear Park

25.9 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Border-to-Border Trail

33.13 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone

Calhoun County Trailway

5.3 mi
State: MI
Crushed Stone

Flint River Trail (MI)

27 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Grand Blanc Bike Path

1.6 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Huron Valley Trail

13.5 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Island Lake Pathway

4.3 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Lakes Community Trail

4.4 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Lansing River Trail

25.3 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Martin Luther King Equality Trail

4.3 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Northern Tier Trail

6.6 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail

31.1 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone

Ram Trail

1.8 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Trolley Line Trail (MI)

2.8 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Albion River Trail

1.6 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Chelsea Community Wellness Path

1.5 mi
State: MI
Asphalt, Woodchips

George Atkin Jr. Recreational Trail

4.2 mi
State: MI
Concrete

Riverbend Preserve Rail-Trail

0.1 mi
State: MI
Dirt

Gale Road Trail

2.3 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Genessee Road Trail

0.8 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Grand River Arts Walk

1.2 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Jewett Trail

1 mi
State: MI
Asphalt

Litchfield Nature Trail

2 mi
State: MI
Dirt, Grass

Main Trail

0.5 mi
State: MI
Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Woodchips
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview The 1.8-mile Applewood Trail connects Mott Community College and several city parks with the lengthy Flint River Trail, the backbone of the Flint area's trail network. About the...
MI 1.8 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The hard surface trail runs from Creasey Bicentennial Park to the Western edge of Grand Blanc Township. Beginning at the park on Grand Blanc Road, the trail takes you past a dog park and athletic...
MI 2.7 mi Asphalt
Overview  The Black Creek Nature Trail runs through the Davison Township for 1.7 miles. The tree-lined route runs along the Black Creek and connects Davison Township to the city of...
MI 1.7 mi Asphalt
Clocking in at just under a mile long, the Chevy Commons Trail is part of the Genesee Valley Trail and serves as its northeastern-most portion. Named for the Chevy Commons County Park through which...
MI 0.89 mi Asphalt
Overview Jackson County's Falling Waters Trail serves as an important community connector, linking the outskirts of the vibrant City of Jackson to the picturesque Village of Concord, which brims...
MI 11.25 mi Asphalt
The Fieldcrest Pathway stretches 3 miles in the Green Oak Township, a suburb of Detroit. The trail follows Fieldcrest Drive from Lee Road south to Silver Lake Road. The paved recreational trail...
MI 3 mi Asphalt
Overview The Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee (CIS) Rail Trail stretches 41 miles between the mid-Michigan towns of Ionia and Owosso, offering a mix of pastoral and wooded landscapes. It...
MI 41.3 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail Trail is one component of a network of trails in mid-west Michigan that, when complete, will stretch 125 miles from Alma to Owosso. The trails are named after...
MI 15.5 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone
Overview The paved Fred Meijer Heartland Trail rolls for nearly 42 miles through farmland and forests in central Michigan as it links a half-dozen rural towns with recreational...
MI 41.9 mi Asphalt
The Fred Thwaites Grand River Trail, also known as the Ionia River Trail, travels for just over 3 miles along the edge of Grand River. The paved pathway begins at Quarry Road and travels to the Ionia...
MI 3.2 mi Asphalt
The Genesee Valley Trail is a paved, multi-use pathway that helps to link suburban areas in Flint Township with the downtown core of the city of Flint, giving cyclists and pedestrians a convenient...
MI 4.43 mi Asphalt
The Granger Meadows Park Trail forms a loop around the 76-acre park in DeWitt Township, just north of Lansing. The park was built and donated by Granger III and Associates, a local trash and recycling...
MI 1.9 mi Asphalt
Clocking in at over four and a half miles, the ITC Corridor Trail in Novi is a fantastic recreational asset for the community, providing a paved pathway that connects neighborhoods and recreation...
MI 4.66 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The Island Lake Connector Trail allows cyclists, pedestrians, and other residents of Green Oak Township to connect to the Island Lake Recreation Area. The trail sits on a converted railroad bed, and...
MI 0.8 mi Crushed Stone
Overview The Kensington Metropark Trail forms a paved loop around Kent Lake in western Oakland County.  About the Route Kensington Metropark, which features 4,481 acres of hilly terrain...
MI 9.5 mi Asphalt
A short paved trail that runs from the city of Flint's Kellar Park to the newly refurbished Chevy Commons park along the Flint River, the Kettering Gateway Trail provides a useful link in the city's...
MI 0.7 mi Asphalt
The LAFF Pathway is a proposed recreational trail project connecting the communities of Linden, Argentine Township, Fenton, and Fenton Township in Genesee County. The first phase of the LAFF...
MI 2 mi Asphalt
Lohr-Textile Greenway is an asphalt sidepath stretching more than 4 miles. The path has two segments—one north-south along Lohr Road between West Ellsworth and Textile Roads. The segment continues...
MI 4.2 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
While not the most scenic of trails, the M-21 Non-Motorized Path provides a useful ten-foot wide asphalt path through a suburban stretch of Flint Township, connecting at its eastern end to the Genesee...
MI 1.66 mi Asphalt, Concrete
This trail runs from the Matthaei Botanical Gardens two miles south to Parker Mill Park. It was conceived in response to the need for a safer alternative for non-motorized travelers. Dixboro Road only...
MI 2 mi Asphalt
Accordion
Overview The Michigan Air Line Trail stretches nearly 7 miles across the communities of Wixom, Walled Lake and Commerce Township in Oakland County. About the Route At its western end, the...
MI 6.8 mi Asphalt
Overview The Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park is a 38-mile trail that runs through forests, fields, and wetlands between the community of Whitmore Lake and the city of Jackson. About the...
MI 38.2 mi Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone
The Milford Trail connects the Village of Milford with the popular Kensington Metropark in Oakland County. The winding trail offers plenty of scenery as it travels through woodlands and...
MI 4.2 mi Asphalt
The Portland Riverwalk ushers visitors around the charming town of Portland on 9 miles of paved trail. Also known as the Rivertrail Linear Park, the trail connects a handful of parks, scenic views...
MI 9 mi Asphalt
Overview The Saginaw Valley Rail Trail offers a year-round rural retreat from the urban confines of Saginaw. Rolling through a continuous woodsy border past farms, fields, and game areas for 11...
MI 11 mi Asphalt
The Sycamore Trail, which opened in October 2014, provides an important connection between two other trails in Delhi Charter Township, on the south end of Lansing. At the trail’s northern end, it...
MI 2.1 mi Asphalt
The Thomas Township Trail provides a 3-mile paved, north-south route through this Michigan community. Running along a power line corridor, the route offers a mix of wooded patches, open farm fields,...
MI 3.1 mi Asphalt
The Valhalla Trail runs for just over a mile in Delhi Charter Township, a southern suburb of Lansing. Its northern half is wooded and winds through Valhalla Park, which offers a swimming beach,...
MI 1.3 mi Asphalt
The Battle Creek Linear Park trail encompasses nearly 26 miles of connected trails in Battle Creek. Residents use the loop trails to put some snap, crackle, and pop in their exercise routines, while...
MI 25.9 mi Asphalt
Overview The Border-to-Border Trail is a work in progress, which when complete, will stretch across Washtenaw County from its border with Livingston County in the northwest to Wayne County in the...
MI 33.13 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone
If you’re looking for a rustic escape form the din of everyday life, consider the Calhoun County Trailway. The Trailway weaves through three of the county’s four parks. The 5.3-mile trail kicks off in...
MI 5.3 mi Crushed Stone
The Flint River Trail system encompasses 27 miles of multi-use, paved trails stretching across Genesee County. Meandering alongside the Flint River and C.S. Mott Lake, the trail passes through a...
MI 27 mi Asphalt
Overview The Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail Trail links the cities of Lowell, Belding, and Greenville in Kent, Ionia, and Montcalm counties, respectively. Running along a former railroad...
MI 21.6 mi Asphalt
This is a dedicated sidepath in Grand Blanc that is suitable for a casual stroll, a quick jog or an easy ride. The trail sits on the north side of Grand Blanc Road, through mainly residential...
MI 1.6 mi Asphalt
Overview Paved and mostly flat, the 13.5-mile Huron Valley Trail links several suburban communities, parks, and a large recreation area while providing connections to a growing network of...
MI 13.5 mi Asphalt
The Island Lake Pathway runs east–west through the densely-wooded landscape of the Island Lake Recreation Area southeast of Brighton. Although relatively short, the paved trail may prove a challenge...
MI 4.3 mi Asphalt
The Lakes Community Trail is a multi-use pathway in southwest Oakland County. The walking-and-biking path stretches four miles and links to parks within four adjacent communities; the City of Wixom,...
MI 4.4 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The Lansing River Trail traces the course of three waterways for more than 25 miles across Michigan’s capital city. Visiting all four main points of the compass in Lansing, the trail provides a route...
MI 25.3 mi Asphalt
The Martin Luther King Equality Trail, formerly called the Jackson Intercity Trail, follows the old rail bed of what was once the Michigan Central Railroad for 4.5 miles north through the southwest...
MI 4.3 mi Asphalt
The Northern Tier Trail winds through East Lansing on the outskirts of Michigan's capital, offering miles of paved pathway through tree-lined areas and wetlands. The 10-foot-wide trail connects...
MI 6.6 mi Asphalt
Overview The Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail is a 31-mile, multi-use recreation trail, extending from Grand Rapids to Vermontville.  The trail passes through farmlands, woodlands, and small towns,...
MI 31.1 mi Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone
The Ram Trail is a close to 2-mile trail beginning at Holt High School where there is access to tennis courts, soccer fields, softball and baseball diamonds and playgrounds. The trail runs eastward...
MI 1.8 mi Asphalt
The Trolley Line Trail, which opened in 2009, runs north from the City of Clio to the Saginaw County line at Willard Road in Vienna Township. It is so-named because it occupies a corridor that once...
MI 2.8 mi Asphalt
The pleasant little Albion River Trail runs along the south bank of the Kalamazoo River through the town of Albion. The trail runs between McClure Riverfront Park on the west end and Victory Park on...
MI 1.6 mi Asphalt
The Chelsea Community Wellness Path weaves through a large campus home to many of Chelsea’s amenities. Although the total length of the trail is less than 2 miles, it is divided into three separate...
MI 1.5 mi Asphalt, Woodchips
The George Atkin Jr. Recreational Trail winds along scenic Pine Run Creek in the City of Clio. From a hub downtown at Clio Park, the paved trail branches out through the city, providing access to a...
MI 4.2 mi Concrete
The new Riverbend Preserve in southern Washtenaw County features 58 acres of wetlands on both sides of the Raisin River. The area is a common resting place for migratory birds on their trek across the...
MI 0.1 mi Dirt
This unassuming recreational path in Goodrich, Genesee County is actually a part of the Iron Belle Trail, Michigan's state-spanning multiuse trail system. The Gale Road Trail starts near Perry Road...
MI 2.3 mi Asphalt
The Genesse Road Trail sits on the western side of Genessee Road in Grand Blanc. The neighborhood trail extends for just over 3/4-mile, from Perry Road in the South to Kings Fairway Lane at the north...
MI 0.8 mi Asphalt
Planners in Jackson Michigan had originally wanted to build a rail with trail, but when they face resistance from the local railroad, they took a different route, one which gave us the Grand River...
MI 1.2 mi Asphalt
Jewett Trail is both the name of the road, as well as the off-street bike-ped path, circling the Grand Blanc Community High School complex. The pathway, which sits on the southern edge of the trail,...
MI 1 mi Asphalt
The Litchfield Nature Trail meanders through scenic property owned by the City of Litchfield, in some places adjacent to the St. Joseph (St. Joe) River. At one point, the trail passes through...
MI 2 mi Dirt, Grass
The Main Trail runs for just 0.5 mile along an east–west corridor through the Whitehouse Nature Center. The trail links a series of loop trails through the nature center and begins at the visitor...
MI 0.5 mi Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Woodchips

Recent Trail Reviews

Border-to-Border Trail

Hilly Far West Leg

October, 2024 by loraleecanfield

This week we took the farthest west leg of B to B. Beautiful paved trail that mostly runs right along M-52. It is far enough off the actual street that it feels safe—though loud at times. We parked our vehicle at Timber Town Park and then got on our bikes. We made a left out of the parking lot and soon found the bright yellow “bike crossing” sign that signaled the trail. Then we headed northwest on the trail. We prefer rides that are mostly wooded but nevertheless wanted to try out this leg. The whole bike trail is well maintained. It is a very hilly ride—lots of up and down. Therefore it took us a bit longer than normal. Heading out is more uphill, while the returning ride was more downhill.

Thomas Township Trail

A great extension to the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail

September, 2024 by milkshake

Our group of 9 riders rode this trail in addition to the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail. We had a total of 25.7 miles starting in St Charles, MI to the end of the SVRT and then adding on an out and back on the Thomas Twp Trail, which connect easily to the SVRT. The Thomas Twp Trail is a beautiful, meandering trail through a tree farm, past a beautiful school and into neighborhoods in Thomas Township. The trail is in excellent condition and well signed and outstanding trail markers. Kudos to the folks in Thomas Twp who made this happen - we will be back!

Saginaw Valley Rail Trail

Biking Bunch from Linden MI loves this trail

September, 2024 by milkshake

Our group of 9 riders rode the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail today and the connecting Thomas Twp Trail. Both beautiful trails and well maintained. We highly recommend Bad River Bar & Grill in St. Charles, MI for lunch or dinner after your ride. Our service and food were very good and the owner even came over to thank us for coming in for lunch!

The trails have great signage and places for a bathroom break. It is especially beautiful this time of year with the falling leaves.

Accordion

Kensington Metropark Trail

A smooth ride!

September, 2024 by lrcb40

I haven’t been here in a few years and purchased an ebike to help tackle the elevation changes (I’m 70 and haven’t ridden in a while). I was delighted to discover that my ideas were correct and that a small amount of assistance helps, but otherwise, pedaling a somewhat heavy ebike (47lbs) is fine. My Trek carbon fiber bike is 25lb and should fly. Now to recover. I ache!

Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail

Nice ride through farmland

September, 2024 by dhalblei

Rode this trail Sept 2024 from St Johns Depot parking lot 18 miles west toward Ionia, stopping soon after the bridge over the Maple River. It was well maintained, firm crushed stone with asphalt passing through towns. Not a problem for my gravel bike with 42 tire. As noted in other reviews, there are a few softer spots that could be a problem for thinner tires. The trail was mostly tree lined, except the section between Fowler and Pewamo is more open farmland with a view of M-21. The road crossings were smooth with almost no traffic. Stopped at the Pewamo Depot restrooms. The restrooms at St Johns Depot were locked.

Huron Valley Trail

Well-paved

September, 2024 by mlasp32

Would give it a 3 1/2 stars. It’s flat, well-paved, clearly marked. Drawbacks - it runs along several roadways; many you have to drive over ( well-marked crossings). So the noise is there. But there were some really lovely spots that almost gave you the feel of Up North. We stopped at Applebees for lunch which was not too far off trail. Would like to ride it next time to Milford. We road it on a Friday so maybe weekend ride would be a more peaceful.

Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail

Great for birding and biking and hiking

September, 2024 by gvsucaptain

There are a lot of great parks along this Trail. I have seen a lot of deep woods species like the Acadian Flycatcher and Wood Thrush and many warbler species as well during the spring and summer. One night in Spring when I was coming down the 76th street segment of the trail I also saw American Woodcocks doing their peenting calls and displays. I observed a Barred Owl and Wild Turkeys during a foray down the Kentwood Trail a couple of days ago. This trail takes you away from civilization and out into the wild, through farmland and through wooded areas. A great area to hike, bike and birdwatch in.

Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail Trail

Beautiful quiet ride

September, 2024 by dhalblei

We parked at the Saranac trailhead and boat launch, across the street from Saranac depot and historical museum. There's a pavilion with restrooms. We went left from parking lot toward Ionia (right goes toward Lowell). Trail is smooth asphalt for first 1-2 miles, then turned to smooth, level crushed stone, then back to asphalt for 1-2 miles into Ionia. The trail is mostly tree-lined with a few bridges closer to Ionia, including one large bridge over the Grand River; only one significant road crossing after crossing the road in Saranac until Ionia. It was about 8.65 miles from parking in Saranac to an elevated bridge over a roadway near downtown Ionia. There's a pavilion with restrooms and designated trail parking after crossing the big bridge. Ionia has a picturesque downtown with a brick paved Main Street, historic store fronts and court house.
The trail is well maintained, and the pace was pleasantly fast for crushed stone surface; on gravel bikes with 42c tires.

Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail Trail

Nice ride on a gravel bike

September, 2024 by dhalblei

Rode this trail from Lowell north toward Belding about 8 miles one way. We parked in Creekside Park off Gee Drive; rode sidewalk about ½ mile to the Foreman St trailhead. Since it was Saturday, it looked like we could have parked at Cherry Creek Elementary School less than a block from trailhead or Lowell Middle School also off Foreman St. The trail starts next to a private residence; there's a small sign identifying the trail.
The trail was smooth asphalt for first mile; then turned to recycled asphalt which is like gravel. It was fairly firm in most spots, not a problem for our 42c tires, the pace was a bit slower. The intersection at McPherson Rd was very loose, otherwise the trail was level and good for our gravel bikes. The trail is mostly tree-lined, at least on the west side, passing through woodland, marsh, and farmland.
A nice, quiet ride with infrequent road crossings and very few people.

Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park

I love this trail

August, 2024 by valkay09

So well maintained! Even not paved portions are excellent. The trail is beautiful, it offers a lot of shade, and has great trail heads with dining options along the way. There was plenty of restrooms too.

Kensington Metropark Trail

There’s Everything!!!

August, 2024 by bears64

I wish I could give it 20 stars!! This beautiful park has summer and winter sports, gorgeous scenery year around. I encourage everyone to come and enjoy, even if aren’t able to walk, take a drive, have a picnic. You can sit and read, lay in a hammock, walk, run, bike, fish, play on a beach, walk through wooded areas and paved trails. There’s a nature center, a farm area, horse back riding, golf, canoeing, kayaking, boating, water park, beaches, picnic shelters and bathrooms everywhere, there is so many. A golf course, disc golf? ( not sure if that’s what it’s called!! I can’t list it all but I can say i absolutely find solace, peace and happiness here!!!!

Fred Meijer Heartland Trail

nice country ride

August, 2024 by couillarjg

Rode from Greenville to McBride. Recently resurfaced. Saw lots of wildlife, including sandhill cranes and a fox. Not very crowded, and brief road portion was easy and well marked. Recommend Holly’s in Stanton for a snack or meal.

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