The Best Places in West Michigan to Get Out & Enjoy the Sun

We're all are lacking the Vitamin D from our Michigan winters. So now that we have made it past the gloomy season lets get some sun! Running, hiking and biking are just a few of the outdoor activities we can participate in to enjoy our beautiful state and make for the perfect day trip if you just can't get away! In the spirit of getting outside and appreciating the gifts nature provides, I wanted to share a few of our amazing parks where you can get away for a portion of your day and get that D back into your life.

Pickerel Lake Park - 6001 Ramsdell Road, Cannonsburg, MI 49317 

Also known as Fred Meijer Nature Preserve, Pickerel Lake Park offers a scenic mix of natural areas to explore along a branching network of trails. The lake itself covers nearly 80 acres and is a great setting for fishing or wildlife observation. One of the best-known features of the park is the 900 foot boardwalk crossing a portion of the lake. The shoreline of Pickerel Lake is undeveloped, being surrounded only by parkland and Camp Roger to the north. Beyond the lakeshore, trails meander through unique wetlands, sandy woods, and rolling forest hills and valleys.

Pickerel Lake Park is located on the north side of Kent County in Cannonsburg Township.

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park - 6585 Lake Harbor Road, Muskegon, MI 49441 

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park features over three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, a 297-site modern campground (some sites with 50 amp service), towering Lake Michigan dunes and the Gillette Visitor Center. Miles of hiking and skiing trails offer stunning views of Lake Michigan and subtle beauty at every turn. One of the main attractions at Hoffmaster State Park is the Dune Climb Stairway leading to the top of a high sand dune where an observation deck offers a panoramic view of the dunes and Lake Michigan.

How beautiful!

Visit Michigan.org and search P.J. Hoffmaster State Park to learn more.

Millennium Park - 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534 

Millennium Park is one of the nation's largest urban parks with portions in Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville and Wyoming. With 1,400 acres of rolling terrain and six miles of frontage on the Grand River, the park is rich in natural resources, featuring unique habitats and large natural areas for wildlife to thrive. Facilities within the park include a six-acre beach and splashpad, boat rental facilities, nearly 18 miles of trails, and other diverse opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Personally, this is one of my favorite biking trails. Most of the trails are paved although the system also offers several natural-surfaced trails for a more rustic experience if you're seeking a bit more adventure!

So take a few hours go out and enjoy life!   Make it a great day!