Around GR: Best Spring Hikes Within 15 Minutes of Grand Rapids
By Courtney Sorrell
With the air warming, the sun shining a bit brighter, and the morels and leeks beginning to pop, hiking is an excellent way to embrace the changes of spring. Grab a light jacket, some boots and a sense of adventure and explore some of the incredible local trails in greater Grand Rapids.
Blandford Nature Center
1715 Hillburn Avenue NW
10 minutes from Bridge Street
Mary Jane Dockeray created Blandford Nature Center’s 143-acre space over a 50-year span with the primary goal of educating children. Blandford boasts an extensive trail network along with children’s programming and adult courses with weekly hands-on learning experiences. Look for sugaring classes this month along with natural dyeing practices and Earth Day celebrations in April. Local favorite characters on the Wildlife Trail include Bob the bobcat, a barn owl, and several eagles and hawks. Dogs are not allowed on the Wildlife Trail.
In the last few years, the former Highlands Golf Club has also been protected. This space offers a rare opportunity to watch grass grow into the sand traps and allows the former greens to take on new life.
As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the suggested entry is a $3 donation.
Be prepared to hike for: Several miles, depending on the trails chosen
Merrell Trail
8320 Belmont Avenue NE
15 minutes from Bridge Street
Built by West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance volunteers over the course of 4,000 work-hours, the Merrell Trail was designed as a mountain bike track. With more than 8 miles of singletrack flow trail, the traffic direction changes every other day. Trail highlights for bikers include wooden bridges and jumps with names like “Keyhole” and “Logness Monster.” However, the trail is open and accessible for all users to explore. The varied terrain includes dense woods, cliffs, elevation gains and small water crossings. To respect bikers and stay safe on this very popular trail, hikers should stay single file and keep dogs on a short leash.
Be prepared to hike for: 4 miles on a short loop
You'll see plenty of wildlife on these trails, like Bart the Barred Owl at Blandford Nature Center.
Provin Trails
2900 4 Mile Road
15 minutes from Bridge Street
Provin Trails offers a refreshing breath of fresh, pine-scented air close to the city. With 46 wooded acres, it’s a popular spot for hiking and cross-country skiing. An unexpected sand dune in the middle and surprising elevation gains make Provin a fun, quick outing for hikers of all levels and those who want to explore lots of variety in very limited space. Provin’s location on 4 Mile Road also mandates a stop in to Robinette’s next door for cider and donuts.
Be prepared to hike for: About 2 miles
Roselle Park
1010 Grand River Drive NE
13 minutes from Bridge Street
A unique addition to local parks, Roselle Park opened in 2016. It offers a mostly flat, paved trail on 240 acres fronting the Grand River and serves as a natural protection area for wetlands and marshes as well. Roselle’s main trails are fantastic for family outings including bike rides or a relaxing walk with the dog. The park also offers innovative play structures, including a climbing wall installed on the sides of an old silo near the main parking area. Due to proximity to the river, flooding occurs seasonally and after large rains.
Be prepared to hike for: About 2 miles
Aman Park
0-1859 Lake Michigan Drive
14 minutes from Bridge Street
At 340 acres, Aman Park is one of the largest parks in the Grand Rapids park system and includes almost every type of terrain: rolling hills, water crossings with bridges, dense forest, natural features and more. The main trails and side paths offer many ways to get lost in nature. In fact, you might be more likely to see a deer than another human in the more secluded areas. It’s also a great place to find wildflowers. In the spring, trillium and bluebells carpet the forest floor.
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, an independent nonprofit that works closely with the city, helps to protect and expand the city’s parks and public spaces, including Aman Park. The organization offers education through citizen forestry classes, tree plantings, beautification events and more.
Be prepared to hike for: As long as you want
Note: Photos on this page are courtesy of Blandford Nature Center, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the Ada Township Parks & Recreation Department. Header photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash.
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