3 Best Hiking Trails in Lansing, MI

“Hawk Island Park spans 100 acres and offers picnic areas, shelters, swimming, paved accessible walkways (1.5 miles), and fishing docks. The trail's total length is 3.9 km, which is generally considered an easy trail route. The trail takes approximately 43 minutes to complete and has an elevation gain of 9 meters. The long-time residents will remember the Sablain Gravel Pit location, which has been transformed into a beautiful park featuring natural planting areas. Visitors can enjoy the picnic overlooking Lake Lansing or spend an afternoon looking for wildflowers, hiking nature trails, or canoeing along the scenic banks of the Grand River. The park opens for pedestrian access 30 minutes before sunrise and vehicle access at 8:00 am. The park closes at sunset.”

Read more

“Fenner Nature Center is an elegant hiking destination, and the environmental education center encompasses 134 acres of public green space. The nonprofit Fenner Conservancy property includes over 4 miles of trails, rolling glacial eskers, towering maple groves, and much more. The elevation gain of the trail varies from 7 to 9 meters. The trail offers many opportunities to connect with nature, regardless of your age, background, or ability level. You can hike, visit their visitor center, or host an event in the new Davis Nature Pavilion. The nature center features more than 4 miles of trails, with sites such as ponds, overlooks, the Pollinator Garden, the Monarch House, the Sugarbush, the hammock bank, the Prairie, the story trail, the sensory trail, the sustainability house, and the playscape. The trail is ideal for hiking, wildlife viewing or photographing, picnicking, or relaxing.”

Read more

“Granger Meadows Park offers year-round use with winter activities like cross-country skiing, sledding, and traditional summer uses. The Park is connected to Valley Farms Park by a lighted and paved trail. The 76-acre park includes recreational opportunities for everyone, including 4,500 feet of mulched trails, a 70-foot high sledding hill with three slopes, and 9,300 feet of paved and lighted trails. The park has been designed to reflect the agrarian roots of the Township. Rolling berms covered in natural meadow grasses, a small orchard, and the earth-tone colors of the buildings all suggest you're still on the farm. The park is located near State and Wood Roads and has access to Granger Meadows Lane.”

Read more