Lansing Trails Connect our Community in an Active and Beautiful Way
One of the most socially distanced and beneficial activities we’ve been able to do throughout the pandemic has been getting outside for walks, hikes, or bike rides on Lansing’s trails and local paths.
Even better is the fact that we have so many options to do so, giving us endless hours of year-round activity.
Unique to our city though is the fact that many of our trails connect!
Technically, you could travel these trails from east to west, north, and south, and everywhere in between!
Lansing Things to Do in the Fall »
15+ Trails to Discover Year-Round in Lansing
Did you know we can take many Lansing trails and paths all the way from Horrocks on the Westside to MSU on the Eastside and from Granger Park on the Northside to Valhalla Park on the Southside in Holt? It may take you a while, but you can do it.
A few of the other trails are beautiful loops we know you’ll love.
With miles and miles of trail to discover, it is so much fun to “build-your-own-adventure” and try different stretches around town.
Here are 15+ must-visit trails to know around town.
Use this guide to help decide where you’d like to start:
Lansing River Trail
Trail North:
The official starting point (north) of this trail is in Dietrich Park and flows through Downtown Lansing.
Here you’ll go through some fun hills, pass under the Olympic Broil, and have a nice view of the Turner Dodge House.
You’ll travel through Old Town and the Brenke Fish Ladder.
You’ll soon have a choice to follow over the walking bridge across the river through
Lansing Community College or continue on to Lansing Shuffle along the downtown esplanade.
Trail West:
If you choose the LCC route, you’ll travel through the buildings and have an option to take the little path between the State Capitol and Michigan Justice Building.
The official trail stops here but you can connect to the westside of Lansing via the gorgeous West Side Neighborhood on Michigan Ave.
Take these sidewalks all the way to Elmwood Street near the Lansing Mall.
Follow to Sharp Park where you’ll find the Delta Township Trail listed below.
Trail East:
Continuing on the path instead of going Downtown Lansing will land you passing Impression 5 Science Center and on to REO Town.
Just past this point you’ll have another choice.
If you choose East, you’ll pass Crego Park, Potter Park Zoo, and be on your way to the MSU Red Cedar Trail.
Trail South:
From REO Town, if you choose to keep the path to south/west, you’ll find yourself heading through Moores Park and Frances Park (don’t miss the one mile paved trail around their grounds), and on to Waverly Road.
Once you hit Waverly Road you can choose to travel north or south.
Head north to catch the Delta Township Trail on Maycroft Road.
Head south to catch the Holt and southside loop. You can take the southside loop on Waverly through on to Hawk Island.
DeWitt Township Trail
Start this trail at Granger Park (Granger Meadows Rd) or Valley Farms Park (Wieland Rd.) When you follow the sidewalk to Old US 27 and head south it’s just 2 miles on this large path to Old Town. (You’ll be on a regular sidewalk for about a half mile of the 2-mile path.)
As you enter Old Town you’ll be able to jump back on a wide path.
If you start in Old Town and head north, make sure to turn right on Weiland Rd. This will lead you to Valley Farms Park where you’ll hit the Granger Park Trail.
Delta Township Trail
This trail officially starts on Maycroft Road and leads to and past the Delta District Library.
Take this trail across the family friendly street path to Sharp Park.
Here you’ll find a Library story walk around the grounds.
Follow this trail past Creyts Road and on to Canal Road. The official wide paved path ends on Canal Road.
Turn left and walk the sidewalk up a half mile to Horrocks Farmers Market! Plan to spend an hour or so at Horrock’s. There is so much to look at.
MSU Red Cedar Trail
Lansing’s River Trail moves through Crego Park and Potter Park Zoo on to the great and gorgeous MSU grounds!
You could spend all day on the trails through MSU or just a few hours. Either way, it’s a dream.
Take a self-guided tour if you’re in for some fun and breathtaking history or travel through the gardens. After all, their grounds have been award-winning!
Meridian Township Trails
Over 80 miles of trail await on this trail!
There are many path entrances to park and walk all over Meridian Township. We especially love taking the trail at the Meridian Historic Village.
Use this map to help you navigate where you’d like to start and which ones connect to each other.
Bancroft Park Trail Loop
1330 Otto Street
Lansing, MI 48906
This trail is so awesome! You can access it through Bancroft Park or at the dead ends of Barritt Street and David Street off of Wood Road.
You’ll loop through The Mason Esker, winding ridge that runs along Groesbeck Golf Course.
Frances Park Trail Loop
2600 Moores River Drive
Lansing MI 48911
Frances Park has a 1 mile paved loop surrounding the park boundaries.
Parts of the trail take you through the rose gardens, playgrounds, and huge fields.
It also connects to the Lansing River Trail on the north portion of the park giving you options to head east or west.
Note: Frances Park, Frances Park Pavilion & the Rose Garden will be closed to reservations September 1 to October 15, 2023 for repaving project.
DeWitt Trails
Schavey Road Path
Located behind 1721 Schavey Road
DeWitt, MI 48820
*NOTE: Do not park in the dentist’s office parking lot to avoid being towed. There is a dirt path and circle parking lot for trail walkers.
DeWitt’s Schavey Road path is lovely. It winds through corn fields and behind new-ish neighborhoods and starts just across the street from the Schavey Road Elementary School.
Richard A Padgett Natural Area
3661 W Herbison Road
DeWitt, MI 48820
Find several trails throughout this area!
Riverside Park and Trails
415 S Bridge Street
DeWitt, MI 48820
This trail is full of fun surprises like bridges and boardwalks. You’ll find this trail entrance past the first of 3 playgrounds.
Lake Lansing Park North Trails
6260 E Lake Drive
Haslett, MI 48840
The boardwalk on this trial is cool! You’ll love it and so will the kids. Also, as you loop through the trails you’ll find a couple playgrounds.
The Ledges / Grand Ledge Trails
133 Fitzgerald Park Drive
Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Trek through miles of ancient sediment ledges!
These are some of the coolest trails around because of the ledges that run through them.
Delta Mills Park Trails
7001 Old River Trail
Lansing, MI 48917
This paved trail path starts at Delta Mills Park is adjacent to the river on one side and open with little to no trees on the first mile of the path. After this portion it winds through a wooded area.
You’ll also find a boat launch here and swings where the trail starts.
Hawk Meadow Trail
6160 Delta River Drive
Lansing, MI 48906
This trail loop also has several off shoots as well as a boardwalk through a marsh! It’s beautiful!
Also, across the street you’ll find the Capital City Bird Sanctuary.
Hawk Island Park & Trails
1601 E Cavanaugh Road
Lansing MI 48910
The Hawk Island Trails connect to the Lansing River Trail and are some of our favorite in the city. The trails on the park grounds loop the entire park in three parts:
1. Paved park loop.
2. Dirt trail along the lake edge.
3. Boardwalk trail along the lake edge.
Read more about Hawk Island Park for more tips and details for your next trip.
Tollgate Wetlands Loop Trail
1101 N Fairview Avenue
Lansing, MI 48912
This trail is one of the last on the list but absolutely NOT least! This beautiful space has a paved 1 mile loop surrounding the Tollgate wetlands which preserve nature and creates clean and flowing water reducing pollution in the area.
There are many viewing points along the trail where you can watch the sunset over Groesbeck Golf Course, bird watch, and take in the beauty of flowing water sources.
Nature Centers
We have 5 area nature centers and each one comes with it’s own set of trails. They are each unique and all worth the visit!
4 Tips to Remember Before Leaving for a Relaxing Trip on a Lansing Trail
Real-talk: Trips with kids can be difficult. For the most part, walking and outdoor activity is pretty great with kids! But, when we head out to longer walks or bike rides there’s almost always something missing that could take our trip awry if I don’t check off this list before we go.
So, this list is for me to look back on and to be a help to other parents that need reminders like I do.
- Pack Snacks and Water: They don’t have to be elaborate. Just having a snack and water keeps the trek fun and enjoyable.
- Bring a mini-diaper (needs) bag: For moms and dads with younger kids it’s great to be as hands-free as possible on these trips. But we still have to keep the wipes close by (am I right?). I usually grab a mini bag and put one or two of the things I need at the bottom on my stroller and we are ready to roll.
- Charge Your Cell Phone: This sounds silly but, hey! There’s always the what if chance like I’ve had where a flat tire occurs or heaven forbid someone gets hurt. Backup is always a plus.
- Map It: If you’re trying out a new route, you may want to map it first. It’s nice to have a goal with the kids so that they know how long to expect to be out and about.
Happy Trails, Lansing!