There are certain trails we frequent more than others. These are the trails at which we practice somewhat regularly. This page serves as a guide for parents who want to do some extra training, and for parents who are wondering how to get to practice! There are a myraid of other trail riding opportunities in West Michigan and across the state. This list is just those trails we may use for practice. To explore trails in Michigan, we recommend the Trail Forks app.
As part of our injury response protocol, we have added “nearest emergency room” to these trails. In case of a non-911 injury that requires a visit to an ER, this should help parents figure out the nearest place to go. Let’s hope we don’t need this information! In case of a serious injury, call 911.
Lakeshore Trails
Mosquito Creek Trail
- Location: Twin Lake
- Parking: Maple Island Rd. just north of Messinger Rd.
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Flowy, fast and relatively easy. This is a good trail for beginners. “The Matrix” loop is slightly more difficult but still more flow than tech.
- Conditions: Sand-based trail typically good after rain
- Nearest Emergency Room: Mercy Health Mercy Campus, 1500 E Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49444
Bass River State Recreation Area
- Location: Grand Haven
- Parking: At the trailhead off 104th Ave just north of Johnson St.
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Tight, twisty and very flat without much climbing. This is a good trail for beginners.
- Conditions: A high water table causes issues when water levels are high.
- Nearest Emergency Room: North Ottawa Community Hospital Emergency Room, 1309 Sheldon Rd, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Owasippe Scout Reservation
- Location: Fremont
- Parking: Russell Rd.
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Old-school singletrack with lots of climbing, descending and roots to challenge riders. The black loop is especially challenging. The green loop is good for beginners. Not always open due to scouting events, so be sure to check online before you go. A very picturesque trail.
- Conditions: Varying surface conditions from sand to grass at lower elevations.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Mercy Health Emergency Lakeshore Campus, 72 S State St, Shelby, MI 49455
Upper Mac Trails
- Location: Upper Macatawa Natural Area, Holland
- Parking: Off 84th Ave just south of Frontage Rd.
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Flowy and fun. Some climbing and tight turns.
- Conditions: Clay-based trail that dries slowly. Check conditions online before venturing out.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Holland Hospital Emergency Room, 602 Michigan Ave, Holland, MI 49423
Riley Trails
- Location: Holland
- Parking: Off 106th Ave. just south of Riley
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Relatively flat and wide, these trails are great for beginners.
- Conditions: Sand based trails dry quickly after rain.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Holland Hospital Emergency Room, 602 Michigan Ave, Holland, MI 49423
Inland Trails
Merrell Trail
- Location: Rockford
- Parking: Two options: Premier Township Park (aka “The BMX Lot”) and Belmont Ave. Bypass (aka “The Dirt Lot”)
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Flowy and fast with some climbing and a few high-speed downhill runs. “Sawtooth” is challenging (roots, tight turns, skinny bridges).
- Nearest Emergency Room: Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, 200 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Luton Park
- Location: Rockford
- Parking: 10 Mile Rd. just east of Rockford’s downtown
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Several loops combine to make a beginner-friendly, advanced-enjoyable ride based on which loops you do. See the map at the trailhead for descriptions.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital, 1840 Wealthy St SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Cannonsburg Ski Area
- Location: Cannon Township
- Parking: Cannonsburg Ski Area main parking
- There’s a pump track at the bottom of the parking lot in a sandy field near the facility maintenance building. We often meet here.
- There’s a warm-up loop affectionately called the Black Diamond Kids Loop in the woods near Cannonsburg Rd. If we’re meeting there, it’s the first parking lot on the right after you pull in, about halfway down the driveway toward the ski lodge.
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Tight, challenging trail built by hand over a number of years. Drains well for wet-day riding. Plenty of climbing. While loops can be designed for multiple skill levels, first-time visitors may prefer to visit with a friend who can show them an appropriate loop. The map keeps you from getting lost but does not indicate what’s easy vs. difficult.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital, 1840 Wealthy St SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Pigeon Creek
- Location: Allendale
- Parking: South side of Stanton Rd at Pigeon Creek Park.
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: Wide and relatively easy, this is a fun trail to burn a few hot laps. There is a MTB-only loop north of Stanton as well that gets less traffic. Beware horse trails and please stay off those.
- Nearest Emergency Room: North Ottawa Community Hospital Emergency Room, 1309 Sheldon Rd, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Cannonsburg State Game Area / Egypt Valley Trail
- Location: Ada Township & Cannon Township
- Parking: 4 Mile Rd. east of Egypt Valley Rd.
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: The main loop (7.5ish miles) is reasonably well-marked and not particularly difficult (though there are plenty of roots to deal with). An additional 15 miles of unmarked trails are on-site making this a great place for an adventure-by-GPS.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital, 1840 Wealthy St SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Deep Lake Unit)
- Location: Yankee Springs Township
- Parking: Deep Lake Unit Trailhead
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: A very sandy trail suitable for rainy days. Plenty of hills to test your climbing legs.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital: Emergency Room, 1009 W Green St, Hastings, MI 49058
Wahlfield Park
- Location: Comstock Park
- Parking: Wahlfield Trail Parking
- Trail Map: Link
- Description: A good mix of rooty and flowy singletrack that has a main loop with optional side loops including a very fun set of flow trails.
- Nearest Emergency Room: Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, 200 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503