Michigan Trails Magazine 2020 • www.MiTrails.org ©2020 Rockford Advertising. All rights reserved.
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BancroftPark
TurnerDodgeParkDietrich
Park
Burchard Park
AdadoRiverfront
Park
WentworthPark
ElmPark
MooresPark
RiverpointPark
OrmandPark
HawkIslandCounty
Park
Maguire Park
MunnPark
ScottWoods
Park
SycamorePark
SyhubellPark
Potter Parkand Zoo
CregoPark
KircherPark
Red CedarNatural Area
RanneyPark
Grand River
Red
Cedar
River
Red Cedar RiverGrand River
Sycamore C
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Grand River
Sycamore C
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Sycamore C
reek
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Development Dr
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Au
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Du
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Forest
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S P
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sylv
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E Kalamazoo E Kalamazoo
E Michigan
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Wo
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Co
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W Main
Mount Hope
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Walker
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Baker
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Smith
Mount Hope
TisdaleLincoln
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Dunlap
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Tulane
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Marigold
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Hopkins
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Kalamazoo St
N G
ran
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iver
S C
edar
Michigan
Dunckel
Linbergh
E Saginaw
Mus
eum
Dr
S C
edar
Sycam
ore Trail
Armstrong
Northrup
S. Lansing Pathway
— S. Lansing Pathway
MICHIGANSTATE
UNIVERSITY
State Capitol Building
Impression 5 Science Center
RE Olds Transportation MuseumMSU
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Trails LegendPaved TrailHighwaysRoads
0 .5 1.25Mile
Lansing River TrailEmbark on a rambling tour of 19 city and county parks, three museums, two rivers, one creek, a farmers market, and even a zoo on the Lansing River Trail. It’s a great way to explore the attractions, rich history and varied landscapes of Michigan’s capital city.
Built in several stages over the past 30 years, the 12.9-mile trail system travels along Lansing’s converging waterways on a series of paved paths, boardwalks and lots of bridges. Some sections are freshly paved and in pristine condition, while some of the older sections may be a little bumpy here and there. But overall, a great ride. The trail system consists of three major branches:
The northern branch follows the Grand River through “Old Town” Lansing and downtown Lansing to Potter Park Zoo. We suggest starting your journey at Turner Dodge Park, where you can explore the historic Turner Dodge Mansion. As you pedal through Old Town, you’ll discover an arts and entertainment district filled with unique shops, pubs, restau-rants, art galleries and the Brenke Fish Ladder. Further south, you’ll travel past Lansing’s year-round indoor farmers market, the Lansing Convention Center, the Impression 5 Science Center, and the R.E. Olds Transporta-tion Museum. At the confluence of the Grand and Red Cedar rivers, you can cross a bridge to Riverpoint Park where a western branch of the trail continues along the Grand River to Moores Park. The main trail continues along the Red Cedar River to Potter Park Zoo, a great Lansing attraction and another good place to access the trail.
The eastern branch of the trail continues along the Red Cedar River from Potter Park Zoo to Michigan State University, where you can explore a series of bike paths that wind through the campus and along the river’s edge. Please be advised that this section of the trail is in a flood plain and may be impassable during periods of high water.
Meandering along Sycamore Creek, the southern branch is the newest section of the Lansing River Trail and, hands down, one
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Lansing
EastLansing
The scenic southern branch travels along Sycamore Creek.
of the most beautiful sections of paved trail in Michigan! Traveling through a series of woodlands and wetlands, and crossing several bridges, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to view wildlife and seasonal wildflowers and enjoy the solitude of nature. When the trail crosses Aurelius Road, it connects with the new South Lansing Pathway (heading west) and the Sycamore Trail (heading east and south). The Sycamore Trail is part of the Delhi Township Trails, a growing network of paved trails in the Holt area (see next page).
Lansing River Trail Access Access Site Parking Restrooms Water
1 Dietrich Park Yes No No
2 Turner Dodge Park Yes No Yes
3 Brenke Fish Ladder Yes Yes Yes
4 Burchard Park Yes Yes Yes
5 Rotary Park Yes Yes Yes
6 Moores Park Yes Yes Yes
7 Elm Park Yes No No
8 Potter Park and Zoo Yes Yes Yes
9 Crego Park Yes No No
10 Scott Woods Park Yes No No
11 Hawk Island County Park Yes Yes Yes
12 Maguire Park Yes Portable No
13 Clippert Street Parking Yes No No
14 Kircher Field Park Yes No No
The trail passes through Rotary Park near Lansing City Market in downtown Lansing with a sandy beach, picnic area and kayak rentals on the Grand River.
