Millennium Park Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake

Millennium Park has become the year-round, go-to for folks living in and around Grand Rapids. That may sound like a place to avoid, but with all the paved and gravel paths through the park, as well as opportunities for boating and spending a day at the beach in the warmer months, in addition to lots of acreage, chances are good you'll find yourself lots of space to stretch your legs and quiet moments to relax.

This lollipop-style loop hike starts from the main parking area just east of the Recreation Core. It heads east on the paved Kent Trails: Millennium Park section past Heron Lake to head up and around on the Muskrat Trail to the natural surface trails through Heron Lake with a stop at one of the elevated observation decks where chances are good to spot waterfowl and other wildlife before heading back to the parking area.

From the Currie Amphitheater parking area, head southeast on the elevated concrete path across the pond toward a brief section of pavement before heading left (east) on the Kent Trails: Millennium Park greenway. This flat, concrete path makes for a nice and easy warmup for visitors of all ages and abilities. Stay to the right to continue on the multi-use greenway for just over a mile.

At the next intersection, turn left onto the natural surface Trestle Trail before another left onto the Muskrat Trail. This section of the park is primarily wetlands where fewer visitors and more natural landscape provides shelter for lots of birds and wildlife. At the next intersection, turn left (west) to begin the return trip on a section shared by the Yellow Loop and Red Loop.

Finally, head past the Causeway trail to make another left onto the Heron Lake Trail. Here, you'll find the Observation Deck Spur, where a raised platform juts over the lake. As many locals know, this park and these vantage points looking west over the lakes are beautiful spots at sunset.

Take the Heron Lake Trail back to the west before retracing your steps on the Kent Trails: Millennium Park and brief connector up to the parking area.

For on-trail navigation, check out the Hiking Project mobile app.