Hike or Bike Your Way Around Kalamazoo
Warmer weather means it’s time to get outside and explore all that Mother Nature has to offer.
Southwest Michigan is a gem when it comes to the abundance of beautiful parks, preserves, and natural settings. There are plenty of bike trails and hiking trails in Southwest Michigan.
Whether you are looking for a hiking trail easy enough path for a toddler or something a little more challenging and rugged, we’ve got it covered.
Remember to check opening and closing times for each location. Have handy essential items such as water, sunscreen, and bug spray to enjoy the Kalamazoo bike trails and hiking in Southwest Michigan.
In this Guide
• Hiking Trails in Southwest Michigan
• Kalamazoo Bike Trails
• Worth the Drive
• More to Explore
Hiking Trails in Southwest Michigan
Hiking Kalamazoo offers beautiful scenery, parks & playgrounds and lasting memories for the entire family.
6310 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Entrance Fee: No
With over 25 miles of trails, there is something for every level at Al Sabo in Texas Township.
You and the kids can ride bikes on the marked baths, or you can enjoy a scenic walk. Find a bench along the paths – a perfect stop to rest little feet and take a snack break.
8395 E Main St, Galesburg, MI 49053
Entrance Fee: No
Chipman Preserve is a beautiful location with six miles of scenic hiking trails through forest and grassland. The Preserve is part of the HOP (Hike Our Preserves) Program.
5163 W Fort Custer Dr, State Highway M-96, Augusta, MI 49012
Entrance Fee: Yes (or free with Michigan Recreational Passport)
An expansive recreation area awaits at Fort Custer with three lakes as well as the Kalamazoo River, high rolling meadows, soggy wetland, and abundant woods. There are 22 miles of hiking trails, bike trails, horse trails, and campsites.
7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Entrance Fee: Yes
Trip Planner
In addition to the indoor exhibit center, there are a variety of trails to hike and a trail map available to guide you along the way. Hiking trails are marked by length and level of difficulty. The nature trails range from 0.2 easy miles to 2.7 difficult miles.
12685 E C Ave, Augusta, MI
Entrance Fee: Yes
We love watching the geese and the ducks in the pond and walking around to explore the property. The path is paved and stroller-friendly.
2100 Stearns Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Entrance Fee: No
An easy one-mile hike through beautiful and largely untouched woods is what you will find in the hidden gem, Kleinstuck Preserve. This is perfect for preschool kids, as they will delight at the fallen tree balance beams, the large teepee made out of sticks, and the almost guaranteed deer sighting.
Visitor Tip: there are no restrooms on this trail.
Leila Arboretum and Children’s Garden
928 W Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49037
Entrance Fee: No
The Children’s Garden in Battle Creek is an ever-changing environment where children can explore the world of plants. The larger Leila Arboretum offers spacious paths and landscapes to explore.
9001 S Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002
Entrance Fee: No
Grab your rain boots and take a stroll through paths that lead to a scenic view of West Lake. Portions of the bog trail are floating on water, and kids love the water that squirts up through the planks.
There is a nature-themed playground at the trailhead and a pavilion with restrooms.
W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest
7060 N 42nd St, Augusta, MI 49012
Established on abandoned agricultural land, the 716-acre forest is an ideal location for a hike when you want to feel completely immersed in nature. We love the covered bridge at the entrance for fish watching.
Due to the changing landscape, hiking trails may be challenging with strollers or young children. Dogs are welcome.
Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Trails
34270 County Road 652, Mattawan, MI 49071
Entrance Fee: No
You may have been to the Fish Hatchery to feed the fish or take a tour, but the often overlooked trails are a great way to explore with the kids. Make sure to snag a scavenger hunt guide in the visitor center.
There are bathrooms in the visitor center, and the paths are stroller friendly.
3401 Nazareth Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
This preserve offers terrain for all ages and hiking experience levels. From a flat and accessible gravel loop with a viewing platform overlooking the wetlands, to a steep and narrow dirt trail that crosses a wooden bridge and boardwalk, Bow In The Clouds spans one mile in total.
Know before you go: there are no restrooms on site.
28700 block of 49th Ave, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Entrance Fee: No
Nestled between Mattawan and Paw Paw, Portman Nature Preserve is two miles of packed dirt trails on the shores of Mud Lake and Lime Lake. Hikers will encounter many native plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and other woodland critters.
Note there are no restrooms on site.
Fun fact: The viewing platform on the shore of Mud Lake was funded by students from Mattawan Public Schools.
COMING SOON: Arthur E. and Mildred H. Woollam Nature Preserve
6278 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo MI 49009
Soon, you’ll be able to take a hike in Texas Township at Kalamazoo County’s newest park: The Arthur E. and Mildred Woollam Nature Preserve. The 212-acre preserve is adjacent to Al Sabo.
While the park is currently closed to the public as of this writing, an August 2024 soft opening is planned that will allow visitors to access a few walking trails until the entire preserve opens in spring 2025.
Kalamazoo Bike Trails
Grab your helmet and enjoy miles of Kalamazoo bike trails.
Bike Rentals in Portage
No bike? No problem! Portage Parks & Recreation offers a bike share rental program. Bike Portage allows you to rent a bike from a bike station on the Portage Creek Bicentennial Park Trail.
Download the Movatic app, follow the prompts to register & pay and you’ll be on your way. Bikes need to be returned to the bike station at the end of the day.
Linear Park Trailhead: 35 W Hamblin Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Ott Biological Preserve Trailhead: 200 Arlington Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Historic Bridge Park Trailhead: 14930 9 Mile Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Entrance Fee: No
You can kick off this 5.3 mile trail at Battle Creek’s Linear Park. This Kalamazoo area bike trail is the first phase of the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail which will be a continuous bike trail from South Haven to Port Huron.
The path is friendly for all ages an abilities for walking, biking and wheelchair accessibility.
Fun Fact: The Calhoun County Trailway is part of a larger network of state and national trails, namely the 4,600 mile-long North Country Scenic Trail from Vermont to North Dakota.
1614 W Osterhout Ave, Portage, MI 49024
Entrance Fee: No
The Eliason Nature Reserve is a 123-acre property offering a combination of uplands and wetlands and is part of the Bishop’s Bog complex. The paved trail is spacious and allows for easy passing of walkers, joggers, and bikers.
Trailheads at 10th Street, Kalamazoo and Baily Street, South Haven
Entrance Fee: No
Boasting over 30 miles of limestone path, the Kal-Haven trail connects Kalamazoo with South Haven. The scenic route takes riders through farmland, wooded areas, and over rivers and streams.
The trail can also be used for cross-country skiing, hiking, and walking or running.
D Ave East, Kalamazoo, MI
Entrance Fee: No
The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is a regional trail connecting parts of Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren County. Currently, there are 22 miles of paved, asphalt trail suitable for non-motorized transportation.
There are entrances to the trail including 10th Street, Westnedge Ave, 35th St in Galesburg, D Avenue, Verburg Park, Riverview Park, and the Kalamazoo Nature Center.
122 N Riverview Dr, Parchment, MI 49004
Entrance Fee: No
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of over 40 acres. There are paved paths around the park as well as playgrounds, tennis courts, pavilions, and summer entertainment.
9345 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
Entrance Fee: No
A great access spot to bike with younger kids is Lakeview Park. There are paved paths across the park perfect for little bikes or strollers.
Afterward, you can play at the two playgrounds or go out on the pier overlooking Austin Lake.
35 W Hamblin Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Entrance Fee: No
Linear Park in Battle Creek boasts over 26 miles of paved trail for biking, jogging, and general recreation. The trail goes around much of the greater Battle Creek area, so visitors to the trail can hop on nearly anywhere.
Free parking with easy access is located near Friendship Park in downtown Battle Creek.
~ Things to do in Battle Creek
5300 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49004
Entrance Fee: Yes
Beginner and advanced bikers will enjoy riding the five miles of single-track trails around the Maple Hill Bike Track located on the west side of the park.
In addition to the bike trails, the park offers hiking, playgrounds, tennis courts and a sandy beach.
Entrance Fee: No
The Portage Bikeway connects over 55 miles of off-road trails and bikeways throughout the city of Portage. Part of the bikeway is on regular city streets and part of the bikeway is on a separate, off-road paved trail for pedestrian and bike use.
The four-mile Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail is kept clear in the winter months, along with a stretch of trail between Romence Road and Constitution Boulevard. Make sure to use the full Bikeway Brochure.
TU Ave west of Sprinkle Rd and Richardson St north of North St, Vicksburg
Entrance Fee: No
If your family is looking for a shorter ride, the Vicksburg Trailway is a 1.8-mile paved trail through scenic woodlands and northeastern Vicksburg neighborhoods. A portion of the trail passes through the Vicksburg Recreation Area, with areas for picnics, nature trails, and disc golf.
Make sure to stop at the Vicksburg Depot Museum to check out unique artifacts related to the area’s railroad history.
Worth the Drive
Secure your bike and visit some more local hiking and biking paths that are worth the extra time in the car.
Albion River Trail | Victory Park on Veterans Way, Albion, MI 49224
For bike enthusiasts, the Albion River Trail provides a fun, shorter ride for families looking to get out together and ride. This trail is 1.6 miles of paved 10-14 feet wide paths conducive to walking, bike riding, running, rollerblading, and skateboarding.’
Fitzgerald Park | 133 Fitzgerald Park Dr, Grand Ledge, MI 48837
For a unique view, hike the scenic ledges at Fitzgerald Park. Featuring three miles of hiking (plus a nature center), biking trails, disc golf course, playgrounds, horseshoe pits and spectacular views of the registered Michigan Historic Site.
Van Buren Trail State Park | 57th Ave/Prospect St, Hartford & Lovejoy Ave, South Haven
This 14-mile trail features a paved and unimproved grass trail along with the old Toledo and South Haven Railroad. Although some of the trails are grass, it is well-maintained. Fat-tire bikes are best for this trail.
More to Explore
