Connections > Trail Information
Trail Information
Your Trail Adventure Begins in Reed City, Crossroads of the White Pine and Pere Marquette Trails.
Reed City, the Crossroads Community
Two major highways intersect at Reed City: US-131 which runs north and south, and US-10 which runs east and west. Before the highways were built, Reed City was the crossroads for two railroad lines that bisected Michigan. The Pere Marquette Pennsylvania Central Railroad ran from Ludington to Midland, while the Grand Rapids and Indiana (GR&I) Railroad ran from Rockford to Cadillac. Those railroads transported supplies to the thriving logging industry that existed throughout mid-Michigan during the eighteen and nineteen hundreds.
Today, Reed City is at the Rails-to-Trails crossroads with the intersection of two popular rail-trails: The White Pine Trail and the Pere Marquette Trail, constructed along the original paths of the old north-south and east-west railroad lines. The trails intersect at the Depot, a reconstructed replica of Reed City's historic downtown railroad depot.
The White Pine Trail is the longest rail trail system in the state, connecting the 92 miles between Grand Rapids and Cadillac. The White Pine Trail is one of the Top 100 Rails-to-Trails in the US as determined by the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Paved surfaces consist of Grand Rapids north to Howard City (28 miles) and Big Rapids north to Cadillac (42 miles). The Pere Marquette State Trail is 55 miles long through the Clare, Lake, and Osceola counties. Paved surfaces of the Pere Marquette State Trail consist of Reed City east to Farwell (38 miles). Reed City serves as the rail trail capitol of Michigan. Whether you're driving, walking, running, biking, or even snowmobiling, Reed City is your crossroads destination!
Reed City's Parks and Rail Trails Offer Views of Wildlife and Flora
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway into a multi-use path, typically for walking and cycling. Although both the White Pine and Pere Marquette are not entirely paved, plans are in the works to both pave and expand these rail trail systems.
For outdoor and camping lovers, Reed City hosts both local and surrounding parks in scenic locations. We also have many rivers, lakes, and streams to fish, canoe, kayak, tube, and swim. Reed City maintains three beautiful parks: Rambadt, Westerburg, and the Linear, which is the trail alongside the Hersey River that connects Rambadt and Westerburg. These parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities to both residents and tourists of the City and surrounding communities.
Rambadt Park is home to Reed City Disc Golf – an 18-hole course that’s challenging and fun. It also offers 12 campsites, restrooms and showers, a playground area, band shell, and picnic pavilion. Westerburg Park is home to baseball/softball diamonds, Off-road Bike Park, two picnic pavilions, Storybook Walk, a playground area, basketball court, and restrooms. The Linear Park Purple Heart Trail connects Rambadt Park and Westerburg Park along the Hersey River. This scenic walk provides multiple access points to the river as well as the “Little Mac” bridge, open-air gazebo, benches, and memorials. Reed City’s park and trail system connects with both the White Pine State Park Trail and the Pere Marquette Trail.
To reserve the pavilion or gazebo at either Rambadt or Westerburg park, please fill out the.pdf form below and submit your reservation request to City Hall directly.
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