<-- Please use the "Navigate To" in the side-bar to the left to find any information that you may need!
We have attempted to provide any information you may need as a trail user; or a person interested in the "Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park! If you cannot find what you want / need please e-mail or call the chairman whose contact information is near the bottom of the side-bar.
If you should find a problem, deficiency, or have suggestions with this site, please inform us by clicking HERE.
We very much appreciate your feedback to us!
The following is a description of an alternate route which may be followed between LeRoy and Reed City which will allow you to be on pavement for the total distance between Cadillac and the south side of Big Rapids.
Please note; on some maps; Mackinaw Trail and 210th Ave are interchangeable in the area just North of Reed City and may be labeled as either.
Mackinaw trail is the old US 131 highway and lightly used. 210th Ave is a county road with moderate traffic.
From the North going South
- At the end of the pavement just South of LeRoy go West (Right approx. 300 ft.) on McKinley Road to Mackinaw Trail; then go South (Left) .
- Follow Mackinaw Trail South; which makes a big curve and turns into Sylvan Rd; ending at (approx. 5 miles) 210th Ave.
- Go South (Right) on 210th Ave till you come to the Fred Meijer White Pine (approx. 6 miles) Trail in Reed City.
- Proceed South on the trail.
From the South going North
- In Reed City - just after you go through the covered bridge go North (Right) on Mackinaw Trail (approx. 6 miles) to Sylvan Rd.
- Go West (Left) on Sylvan Road; which makes a curve to the North and then becomes Mackinaw Trail.
- Follow Mackinaw Trail 5 miles North to McKinley Road and turn East (Right) to the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail.
- Turn North (Left) on the trail; which will take you to Cadillac.
The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail is Michigan's longest rail/trail stretching a distance of 92 miles on the former Grand Rapids and Indiana rail bed. The trail reaches from the north end of Grand Rapids (just south of the 5th/3rd Ballpark) into the city of Cadillac. Future plans for other Michigan trail systems include intersecting with the White Pine establishing it as the backbone of the Michigan rail-trail system.
The trail is surfaced with asphalt pavement from North Park Street at the north end of Grand Rapids, with a loop capability around the 5th/3rd Ballpark and through the community of Comstock Park; north to the village of Sand Lake; a distance of nearly 22 miles.
A short section of about 5/8 of a mile of asphalt pavement exists through Howard City.
There is also a 13 mile section of asphalt pavement between Big Rapids and Reed City.
As of late 2010 there are an additional 17 miles of new pavement from Cadillac to just south of LeRoy along with an older 1 mile section of asphalt at the very northern end of the trail in Cadillac.
The remaining 44 miles of the trail is surfaced with packed gravel or cinders with pavement planned for the future. Riders with hybrid and mountain bikes will find the entire trail very enjoyable.
The complete trail is ADA compliant; with no grades greater than 5%; and at this point the only place where the grade is even close to the 5% is the approaches to the bridge over West River Road; located between Comstock Park and Belmont!
Trail Uses
The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park is considered to be a non - motorized trail; and that also means there are rules / guidelines on trail use! Listed below are the overall approved and non - approved uses.
Bicycling - (non-motorized) is approved for all seasons - no exceptions
Walking - is approved for all seasons - no exceptions
Running / Jogging - is approved for all seasons - no exceptions
Skating - is approved for all seasons - no exceptions
Skiing - is approved for all seasons - no exceptions
Snowmobiling - is approved with the following conditions:
· North of the Russell Road Staging area
· Minimum of 6” of snow on all areas of the trail
· Observe posted speed limits and community regulations
Horses - NOT ALLOWED
Dogs - Allowed but must be on a leash
Hunting - Not allowed in the State Park
Events - The “Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park” is first and foremost a trail for the casual user! The trail was not intended or designed for major fund-raising events.
If you are planning on having an event you must get a “use permit” from the park manager.
Additionally your event must not close the trail and you must inform your participants that the casual user has the right to be there and must be respected.
The “Friends” is currently the major entity maintaining the trail; and your event is the beneficiary if you have it on the trail! Please consider a small portion of your proceeds to help the “Friends” make the trail a great place for all approved users.
Winter
During the winter months the trail has varied uses, and everyone must respect the other users, the snowmobilers, and other approved users can co-mingle on the trail if everyone respects other’s right to be there!
E-Mail Newsletters From The Past