The Mt. Pleasant Area CVB invites you to get outdoors and stay active this summer! Whether you prefer to stay close to town on paved pathways or hit the rugged dirt trails, there’s a bike route for everyone in Mt. Pleasant. Keep reading to learn more about the best places to bike in central Michigan.
(Island Park)
Where to Bike
With over 1,000 acres of parkland the Mt. Pleasant area offers no shortage of paths to bike! The GKB Riverwalk Trail contains 1.8 miles of trails that carry you throughout five different city parks! These parks are easily accessible, include navigational aids along the trails, and even include interpretive signage highlighting the area’s natural resources and history.
Start your journey at Pickens Field before crossing the wooden bridge into Island Park. Island Park includes a paved walking pathway perfect for biking and plenty of green space. This park stays true to its name, as it is completely surrounded by the Chippewa River and only accessible by bridge!
Bike through Island Park along the GKB Riverwalk Trail to its next destination, Nelson Park. This 5-acre park is located next to Mountain Town Station in Downtown Mt. Pleasant where you can grab a quick meal and refreshing drink! With its trees and riverside views, Nelson Park is the perfect spot to pause for a relaxing picnic or hammock session.
From here make your way across Broadway Street towards Mill Pond Park. This route offers a variety of split paths that will take you to different outlooks and access to the Chippewa River – so don’t hesitate to stop and dip your toes! Be sure to stop along the bridge in Mill Pond Park for a picture-perfect photo op!
Continue to bike the pathway along M-20 towards Chipp-A-Waters Park, a haven for wildlife that is located on a State Conservation Area and is perfect for admiring the beauty of the Chippewa River. Here you will find an open-air picnic shelter, playground, nature interpretation trail, and public access to the river. Follow the rest of this trail to your final lookout and you will have completed the GKB Riverwalk Trail!
(Mill Pond Park, Mountain Town Station, Island Park)
No visit in Mt. Pleasant would be complete without a stop at Deerfield Nature Park, voted most beautiful place in Isabella County by Pure Michigan. Deerfield offers nearly 1,000 acres of land and eight miles of trails perfect for those looking to bike more rustic terrain. Take this chance to unplug from the hustle of life as you enjoy the beautiful views of the Chippewa River and surrounding wildlife. While biking these trails you will also come across two artesian wells to fill up your water bottle. Don’t forget to walk you bike across the suspension bridge into the Wildwood Pathway – the longest of the Deerfield trails at 2.54 miles. The fun at Deerfield Park doesn’t stop with biking – find campsites, canoe launches, a covered bridge, horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball pit and two 18-hole disc golf courses that include elevation changes and a water crossing!
View a Deerfield Nature Park trail map here.
(Deerfield Nature Park)
Located on the Northwest side of town you will find Mission Creek Woodland Park. Let this 60-acre park bring you back to nature with picturesque scenery and bike the trails that wind through hard woods. This park also features 2 open-air shelters, picnic tables, grills, and open playfield and a sledding hill.
(Mid-Michigan Pathways)
Mid-Michigan Pathways
The Mid-Michigan Community Pathway is perfect for family biking and begins just south of Mt. Pleasant in the Village of Shepherd. Start at the triangle-shaped bike loop that wraps around Shepherd, and afterwards park your bikes at Cones N Candy for some locally owned ice cream! Feel free to stop here if you are looking for a more casual bike ride, or for a longer ride keep going as you head west towards the city of Mt. Pleasant on this entirely paved six-mile pathway!
Meet in Mt. Pleasant
Where’s your favorite place to bike in the Mt. Pleasant area? Share your thoughts by using the hashtag #MeetMtP, and don’t forget to pack your bikes for your next weekend getaway to central Michigan! Follow the Mt. Pleasant Area CVB on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay-up-to-date on the latest in the Mt. Pleasant area.