Find Trails > Michigan > Big Rapids > Big Rapids Running Trails

Big Rapids, MI Running Trails and Maps

558 Reviews

Looking for the best Running trails around Big Rapids?

Find the top rated running trails in Big Rapids, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

Go to:

Map Search

Relevance
Name
Length
Most Popular

Betsie Valley Trail

42.8 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Big Rapids Riverwalk

3.8 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Cannon Township Trail

4 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Boardwalk

Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail

11.1 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Fred Meijer Flat River Trail

6.5 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Fred Meijer Heartland Trail

41.9 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail

9 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park

92.6 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Concrete

Grand River Edges Trail

5.4 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Medbery Bike Trail

1.5 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Muskegon Lakeshore Trail

11.2 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

Pere Marquette Rail Trail

30.1 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Pere Marquette State Trail

55 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

White Lake Pathway

3.2 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park

22.7 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail Trail

21.6 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Irons Area Tourist Association Snowmobile Trail

60 mi

State: MI

Ballast

Musketawa Trail

25 mi

State: MI

Asphalt

Clam River Greenway

1.6 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Boardwalk

Laketon Trail

3.3 mi

State: MI

Asphalt, Concrete

Accordion

Big M Trail

18.6 mi

State: MI

Dirt, Grass, Sand

Wellston Area Tourist Association Snowmobile Trail

64 mi

State: MI

Ballast

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Betsie Valley Trail Remoteness and solitude describe a trip along the 42.8-mile Betsie Valley Trail in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula. The trail slopes gently downhill in the Betsie River Valley through a state...	MI	42.8 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel	32 reviews
	Big Rapids Riverwalk The Big Rapids Riverwalk travels alongside the scenic Muskegon River and connects downtown Big Rapids with several recreational amenities, including Hemlock Park, Northend Riverside Park, and Swede...	MI	3.8 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	3 reviews
	Cannon Township Trail In just 4 miles, visitors to the Cannon Township Trail are able to experience a variety of landscapes. The greenway begins in the Cannon Township Center, and travels through pine forests, grassy...	MI	4 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk	3 reviews
	Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail The 11.1-mile Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail is situated between two natural treasures: Lake Michigan to the west and the Manistee National Forest to the east. The pathway, built on an inactive...	MI	11.1 mi	Asphalt	18 reviews
	Fred Meijer Flat River Trail The Fred Meijer Flat River Trail connects 2 mountain bike trails and 5 city parks in Greenville. The trail follows the winding Flat River, offering scenic views and incorporating forest and wetlands....	MI	6.5 mi	Asphalt	14 reviews
	Fred Meijer Heartland Trail 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 opportunities. About the...	MI	41.9 mi	Asphalt	68 reviews
	Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail The Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail is the last trail of a dozen trails in western Michigan to be named after philanthropist and Rail-Trail Champion Fred Meijer. The trail is an important connector...	MI	9 mi	Asphalt	6 reviews
	Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park connects a bustling Grand Rapids community to the forests, farmlands, and friendly towns of Northern Lower Michigan. At nearly 93 miles, it is the state’s...	MI	92.6 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	109 reviews
	Grand River Edges Trail The Grand River Edges Trail runs in loops on the east and west banks of the Grand River near downtown Grand Rapids. At the south end, the trail crosses back and forth over the river via pedestrian...	MI	5.4 mi	Asphalt	4 reviews
	Medbery Bike Trail The Medbery Bike Trail runs from a junction with the Hart-Montague Trail State Park and White Lake Pathway in Montague, Michigan, to an industrial park west of town. The rail-trail passes primarily...	MI	1.5 mi	Asphalt	2 reviews
	Muskegon Lakeshore Trail Muskegon's Lakeshore Trail provides scenic views of Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, while also passing among beautiful sand dunes, lively parks, and the city of Muskegon itself. Small sections of the...	MI	11.2 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete	18 reviews
	Pere Marquette Rail Trail Many factors contribute to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail’s popularity. It runs for 30.1 miles on smooth asphalt that is well maintained and, at 14 feet, wide enough to ride or walk side-by-side. At...	MI	30.1 mi	Asphalt	98 reviews
	Pere Marquette State Trail The Pere Marquette State Trail runs 55 miles through beautiful woodlands and fields between Baldwin and Clare. About the Route The section between Baldwin and Reed City is about 17 miles long...	MI	55 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	13 reviews
	White Lake Pathway The White Lake Pathway provides an important connection between two neighboring towns that face each other across the beautiful White Lake. The trail traces a former railroad bed for just over 3...	MI	3.2 mi	Asphalt	5 reviews
	William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park The name tells the tale of the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park. Rolling for 22.7 paved miles through the farms, orchards, and forests of western Michigan between Hart and...	MI	22.7 mi	Asphalt	81 reviews
	Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail Trail 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 corridor, the...	MI	21.6 mi	Asphalt	24 reviews
	Irons Area Tourist Association Snowmobile Trail The Irons Area Tourist Association maintains 60 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiles and ATVs in the Manistee National Forest. For more information, contact the tourist association or the national...	MI	60 mi	Ballast	1 reviews
	Musketawa Trail The Musketawa Trail is one of the best places to get away from it all if you live and work in the western Michigan population centers of Muskegon or Grand Rapids. The 25-mile paved rail-trail rolls...	MI	25 mi	Asphalt	55 reviews
	Clam River Greenway The Clam River Greenway represents a citizen-led effort to create a safe and beautiful recreational asset in what had been a neglected space. Today, the trail connects Bob Meyer Jr. Park in the north...	MI	1.6 mi	Asphalt, Boardwalk	2 reviews
	Laketon Trail The Laketon Trail offers an important connection between the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail and the Musketawa Trail in the City of Muskegon. The paved pathway largely parallels Laketon Avenue, along the...	MI	3.3 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	2 reviews

Accordion

	Big M Trail The Big M Trail in Manistee National Forest is suitable for cross-country skiing, trail mountain biking, and hiking. There are actually four segments, each with varying levels of difficulty, from...	MI	18.6 mi	Dirt, Grass, Sand	0 reviews
	Wellston Area Tourist Association Snowmobile Trail The Wellston Area Tourist Association maintains about 64 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling in the ManisteeHuron National Forest. For more information and maps, contact the Tourist...	MI	64 mi	Ballast	0 reviews

Recent Trail Reviews

Musketawa Trail

Trail Closed Until Further Notice

July, 2025 by pjbradfield

We tried to access the trail at the Marne trail head and parking lot. The parking lot was full of construction equipment and material and there is a sign that said the Trail is closed until further notice.

Laketon Trail

Nice

July, 2025 by clonetrooper5373

This trail is a completely open to the sun, offering views of local businesses, but nothing truly jaw dropping, with a nice round trip. Noise from traffic is the only real downside.

Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park

not for road bikes

July, 2025 by ewjones

10/10 for getting back to nature. 1/10 for road surface. The roads in Michigan are horrible, so I'm not sure why I thought the paths would be better.

Accordion

Betsie Valley Trail

Hot summer day

June, 2025 by cpalady1990

We went camping in Benzonia along the River. Road our bikes and got on the trail in Beulah. We headed West towards Frankfort. The ride past Crystal Lake was beautiful. We stopped on our way back to cool off in the water. There is public access near when you cross 115.

Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park

White Pine, from Big Rapids to Reed City.

June, 2025 by aertsgreg

Boy, was I disappointed! Worst rails trails I have ever been on. No upkeep whatsoever, June 7th, 2025.

Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park

Nice paved flat

June, 2025 by richg55

Cadillac to Leroy nice, flat and pavement is very good. Very few bumps. About a mile south of Leroy it gets closer to highway in going to Reed City. Not bad but not as quiet and nature filled. Trail mostly shaded. Loved it.

Fred Meijer Heartland Trail

Cougar Sighted On Trail - May 2025

May, 2025 by cecelia.lapointe

On Saturday, May 24th, I was cycling 50 miles on the trail between Elwell and Stanton. I was on an out-and-back trip. On the trip back I saw a golden-tawny animal sitting on the trail. I stopped riding quite a distance away from it, maybe 400-500 feet away. The cougar was sitting on the trail and then leaped into the woods and away from me. I knew it was a cougar when I saw its long tail and sleek movement back into the woods. My gut said to turn around. I was far enough away on my bike to turn around and book it out of there. My goal was to get a 1 1/2 miles away and closer to Edmore where I could have help if needed. So, I decided to go around the area it was located. I took a paved road to a dirt road to loop around the woods it was in. I ended up back on the trail and had a longer ride than expected but was safe. The cougar was seen between Deja and Cedar Lake Road. Through research I've found there have been cougar sightings in Montcalm County over the years. I've reported this to the DNR and emailed the Freinds of the Heartland Trail. Overall, great ride and I was safe. The trail is fairly bumpy and root filled between Elwell and Vestaburg. Smoother sailing between Edmore and Stanton. Loved the tree canopy as it was very low and beautiful in some parts. Also, seeing the landscape change from a flatter Central Michigan to the beautiful rolling hills of Western Michigan was stunning. Road crossings became sandier as there is more sand in West Michigan. I would say this compares to the rural nature of the White Pine Trail that runs between Big Rapids and Cadillac. Road crossings between Elwell and Stanton were a breeze, quite calm, and peaceful. Now for some signage on cougars would that keep riders, walkers, and runners, safer and more aware. Just be aware, be prepared, and have protection such as bear spray, pepper spray, noise makers, etc.

Cannon Township Trail

Very Hilly

May, 2025 by clonetrooper5373

I found this trail to be a bit of a mixed bag, as it's *very* hilly and was hard to complete but the entire trail is shaded all throughout, and you can cruise downhill for parts of it.

Scenery is beautiful, as you are taken through wooded areas, marshes and neighborhoods.

Pavement is mostly smooth but with some rough bumps here and there.

Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park

Needs work north of GR

October, 2024 by glrand1

Too bumpy between GR and Belmont for a road bike. Not enjoyable. North of Belmont is great!

Muskegon Lakeshore Trail

I was a little disappointed

October, 2024 by hzxsj4z847

First I could not find where the trail started at south end. The trail was not marked very well. Some of it had a gorgeous view. Most of it factory or homes.