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The Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail connects the towns of Niles, MI, and Mishawaka, IN via. 17 miles of paved multi-use trails. The trail passes different sites like Notre Dame University as well as more than 15 parks and the four downtown areas of Niles and Roseland, MI, and South Bend and Mishawaka, IN.
Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail (Michigan Section) (5.3 miles):
The Michigan section of the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail currently runs for more than 5 miles through Niles, Michigan, on the eastern bank of the St. Joseph River. The trail occupies a former New York Central Railroad corridor, abandoned by Conrail in 1980. In fact, the large Riverfront Park in downtown Niles—through which the trail runs—was once a large rail yard for the New York Central Railroad and its immediate predecessor, the Big Four Railroad. A historical marker in the park commemorates the extensive local railroad past.
Riverfront Park offers a playground, pier, boat ramps, picnic shelters, charcoal grills and even an amphitheater where concerts are held throughout the summer. In the north, the trail ends at Plym Park, which provides playing fields and tennis courts. As the trail heads south from downtown, it leaves the river’s edge and ends at Niles’ southern city limits at Fort Street.
The second segment of the Michigan section extends south from the Brandywine Creek Nature Park through Niles Township, within an abandoned Michigan Central Railroad corridor. At the Michigan–Indiana border at State Line Road, the IN-MI River Valley Trail continues as the LaSalle Trail.
Lasalle Trail (3.5 miles):
The LaSalle Trail travels an arrow-straight 3.5 miles between Roseland Town Park in Roseland and the Indiana–Michigan state line. About halfway along the trail, a short section of roadside trail along Darden Road, sometimes called the Darden Road Trail. This short connector trail connects users to the Riverside Trail, which traverses the west side of the St. Joseph River.
In the North, it connects to the Michigan Section of the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail and in the south the IN-MI River Valley Trail continues alongside a short section of SR-933, sometimes called the SR-933 Trail. until meeting up with a southern section of the trail called the East Bank Trail (IN).
Riverside Trail (IN) (3.4 miles):
The Riverside Trail winds along the west bank of the St. Joseph River for just over 3 miles in northern Indiana's South Bend. Several benches along the way allow you to take in the beautiful river views.
At the northern end of the trail, a pedestrian bridge will take you across the river to another trail paralleling Darden Road, which leads to the Lasalle Trail section of the IN-MI River Valley Trail.
Midway, you'll see Pinhook Park across from Riverside Drive; the park has a small lake, playgrounds, fishing spots, and places to picnic. North of the park, you'll pass under Interstate 80 and travel through Riverside Park.
The southern end of the trail ends at Brownfield Park, near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Angela Boulevard. North of this trailhead, the trail travels through tree-lined residential areas, passing Keller Park, which offers restrooms, picnic tables, a playground, and a boat launch.
To connect back to other parts of the main trail, trail users can turn left near the southern end of the trail along S. Angela Blvd. to reach the northern end of the East Bank Trail (IN). Trail users can also connect to the Coal Line Trail at the end of the Riverside Trail.
Coal Line Trail (1.4 miles):
The Coal Line Trail takes trail users for a short but sweet ride between Brownfield Park and Lincoln Way NW. The trail also skirts Muessel Grove Park as it passes behind suburban backyards along its short route.
East Bank Trail (IN) (1.7 miles):
The northern portion of the East Bank Trail was one of the first rail trails in Indiana, opening in 1988. The asphalt-surfaced trail stretches for about 0.5 miles through tree-lined South Bend neighborhoods to St. Joseph High School and the edge of the Holy Cross College and University of Notre Dame campuses.
At Howard Street/North Shore Drive, a newer concrete-surfaced segment continues south along the St. Joseph River through downtown East Bank Village. A crossing over the South Bend Dam provides access to Seitz Park, which overlooks the East Race Waterway, a manufactured route for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and inner tubing that parallels Niles Avenue.
The trail ends in the south at Howard Park, which offers restrooms, picnic areas, a recreation center, and scenic views of the St. Joseph River. A direct connection to the Northside Trail allows trail users to trek closer to Mishawaka. At the trail's southern end, trail users can access the West Bank Walkway via. a sidewalk along E. Jefferson Blvd.
Northside Trail (3 miles):
South Bend’s Northside Trail closely follows the east bank of the St. Joseph River from Howard Park to the western edge of Mishawaka. Along the way, you’ll have access to Viewing Park and Veterans Memorial Park, offering pleasant places to rest and picnic. The campus of Indiana University South Bend is also located along the route.
Between 26th Street and 27th Street, the trail passes through stone walls originally built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration. At the Northside Trail’s northern end in Howard Park, there is a direct connection to the East Bank Trail, which continues north to the edge of the University of Notre Dame’s campus. Near the north end of the trail, the Northside Trail also connects to the West Bank Walkway via. a pedestrian Bridge over the St. Joseph River.
West Bank Walkway (0.6 miles):
Although less than 1 mile long, the West Bank Walkway offers lovely views of the St. Joseph River in downtown South Bend. Midway, a converted railroad trestle over the waterway connects trail-goers to Howard Park, which offers restrooms, picnic areas, a recreation center, and connections to both the Northside Trail and East Bank Trail. The West Bank Walkway ends in the small, but scenic Plaza Park, which contains a pavilion, playground, and fishing spots.
Mishawaka Riverwalk (2.6 miles):
After the Northside Trail, the Mishawaka Riverwalk takes trail users along both sides of the river in Mishawaka, just southeast of South Bend. Along its route, it passes Central Park, Kamm Island Park, and Battell Park.
Connections
The Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail is a 17-mile trail that comprises the Lasalle Trail, Coal Line Trail, East Bank Trail, Northside Trail, Riverside Trail, West Bank Walkway, Mishawaka Riverwalk as well as other sections unique to the route.
Trail History
The trail occupies a former New York Central Railroad Corridor, abandoned by Conrail in 1980.
The large Riverfront Park in downtown Niles—through which the trail runs—was once a large rail yard for the New York Central Railroad and its immediate predecessor, the Big Four Railroad. A historical marker in the park commemorates the extensive local railroad past.
Indiana Michigan River Valley Trail (Michigan Section): There are a number of parking options along this trail section including at the northern end in Plym Park (401 Marmont St), Orchard Park (124 S 3rd St), Brandywine Creek Nature Park (1701 S 3rd St), and at the southern end (IN-MI Stateline), 319 Stateline Rd.
Lasalle Trail: There is parking for this trail at Roseland town park, along W Cripe St, and at the IN-MI state line, 319 Stateline Rd.
Riverside Trail (IN): Parking is available for the Riverside Trail near Keller Park, 1925 Riverside Dr.
East Bank Trail (IN): There is no designated parking along this section of the trail.
Northside Trail: Trail users can find parking at Governor Joseph Vernon Park, Northside Blvd. at S Notre Dame Ave, and Veteran's Memorial Park, near 1441 Northside Blvd.
West Bank Walkway: There is no designated parking along this section of the trail.
Mishawaka Riverwalk: Parking is available at 295 E Mishawaka Ave.
Coal Line Trail: Trail users can find parking at 1117 Wilber St.
We began our ride on the far north end, at the Plym Park trailhead in Niles. Parking is more than adequate and very safe. However, as with the entire trail, there are no modern bathrooms. Simply a porta-potty every now and then. Plym Park seems like such a nice place and we were pretty surprised at the lack of facilities there.
The first 2.5 miles is probably not our favorite that we've ever done, and that's trying very hard to be diplomatic. The signage was non-existent, the crossings were poorly marked (especially the first major crossings at Wayne St and M-139. No buttons to push for crossing at a very dangerous and partially obstructed intersection. At worst, they need a push-button flashing yellow, probably a Hawk light. Either way, we made it past there to the riverfront part of the trail. Again, lots of beauty here, but it was hard to take your eyes off of the trail in front of you because the roots that have undergrown this part of the trail have caused massive bumps and ruts. This continued for the entirety of the Niles (city) part of the trail until we reached Fort Street, a little over 2 miles in to the journey. We had decided to ride the hybrids today and not the road bikes. We were very glad we had made that decision.
Once we crossed over Fort Street, we rode along a fairly new section of the trail alongside 3rd Street. This was MUCH better pavement conditions. However, about a half mile down, you are required to cross this very busy street with (again) no lights, no flashers, etc., just on your own with some white paint on the road. Crossing over, you ride a circular trail cut through a nature park, which is nice because it takes you away from this very busy street. (It was our bad luck that a very large tree had come down overnight and forced us to "portage" over this tree! Never had that experience before.) Once back to 3rd St., you hit US12, which is a major road. Fortunately, there are very good pedestrian crossing signals here, and we didn't have any issues in either direction. Crossing this, you are dead-straight North/South for the next 3.5 miles until you are almost on Notre Dame's campus. This is a very nice ride with the exception that there are probably seven or eight cross streets so a lot of stops. Not dangerous crossings, but ones that prevent you from going a nice distance to stretch your legs out.
Once you reach Douglas Road and Business US 31, you are on the NW tip of the campus. Lots of great places to ride there which are not part of this trail, so I won't talk about them here.
Overall, it's a decent trail and the City of Niles is actively working on it, patching many of the bad spots with new pavement, as well as clearing brush and trees that are encroaching, so props to them for their efforts. Unfortunately, there are just SO many place that need fixing, they are fighting a losing battle against those tree roots. We're glad we got to finally experience this trail. Unfortunately, its lack of facilities and poor pavement quality make it a three-star at best, and that's only to the south of Niles. North of Fort St, no more than two.
Very nice. Paved trail , pretty color change, nice scenery along the river . Very rider friendly.
The ride is very enjoyable. It is more scenery at the Nile town area along the river. There are quite a few benches along the trial just in case you want to sit down for short break.
I have walked this trail but I have recently started to bike it. It is beautiful and well maintained. I especially like the encouraging words in chalk written on the path at you go. Very inspiring, especially to the newbies.
Nice easy pleasant ride . Not to many Canadian Geese dirtying up everything.
Scenic trail, very nice and well maintained. I can not wait until they add on to this trail. The only down side to this trail is it is very short.
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