Kent: Parks, Trails and Nature Experiences

Kent is a versatile destination for travelers who want to spend their days outdoors while discovering diverse landscapes. Kent County Parks manages more than 100 miles of trails: The options range from easy walking paths to paved regional trails between communities and parks. When choosing your vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore worthwhile to first determine your preferred travel style—long walks, cycling tours, water activities, nature observation or winter activities.

Trails along the Grand River and diverse park landscapes

Johnson Park follows the Grand River shoreline for almost 1.5 miles. A paved multi-use trail connects there with the Fred Meijer Millennium Park Trail Network and the Kent Trails. Johnson Park also has two boat launches on the Grand River along Veterans' Memorial Drive between Butterworth Drive and Riverbend Drive. Those who enjoy combining travel with exercise and water activities will find several concrete starting points here for planning their day.

Other parks also showcase Kent’s diverse character. Cooper Creek Park and Spencer Forest lie directly next to each other; both have a network of equestrian trails through pine groves, hardwood forests and fields. At Fallasburg Park, several historic buildings from the original village of Fallasburg have been preserved on the east side of the Flat River. The Fallasburg Festival for the Arts also brings together more than 100 artists, food stalls operated by local nonprofit organizations, and performances by local and regional musicians every year.

Nature experiences among lakes, forests and wetlands

Pickerel Lake Park offers a 900-foot boardwalk that crosses part of the lake. More than four miles of interconnected trails pass through forests, wetlands, a tamarack swamp and small sandy areas. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are possible there. At Provin Trails Park, interconnected natural-surface trails run through a forest with sandy soil; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing take place there on ungroomed trails.

There are also various other destinations for nature-focused excursions. Seidman Park covers more than 400 acres of forests, fields and wetlands. White Pine Park preserves one of the county’s few remaining pure stands of eastern white pine. At Wabasis Lake, Wabasis Lake Park has the only public boat launch as well as a large sandy beach for swimming, available to visitors free of charge.

Cycling, water activities and longer excursions

Luton Park has 9.7 miles of interconnected trails designed for mountain biking. Millennium Park extends partly across Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville and Wyoming. It covers 1,400 acres, six miles of shoreline along the Grand River and approximately 18 miles of trails, most of which are open to pedestrians, bicycles, roller skates and other non-motorized forms of transportation. Kayaks, pedal boats, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent at Millennium Park. There is also a six-acre sandy beach and a large splash pad.

For longer cycling tours, the Fred Meijer M-6 Trail runs through the southern part of Kent County, the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail runs between the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail and the Musketawa Trail, and the paved Kent Trails lead south from John Ball Park and Millennium Park to Byron Center. The Ada Trail connects Seidman Park with downtown Ada, Roselle Park, the Cannonsburg State Game Area and other destinations. Depending on your priorities, you can therefore choose accommodation for quiet days in nature, athletic tours or a mix of different activities.

Places for further trip planning

For additional orientation within the area, you can also explore Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Grandville, Plainfield Township, Kentwood, Ada and Caledonia. This allows you to combine your search for a vacation rental or vacation home with the experiences that hold the greatest appeal for your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Alger County.