Grand Rapids Hikes: 3 Trails You Can Do After Work (Part 1)

Spending time outside is great for the mind, body, and spirit. Finding time for it though can be a lot more challenging.

One thing that I have loved about my move to Grand Rapids, MI is the proximity to nature. You might be thinking “Girl- you moved from Denver to Grand Rapids, wouldn’t access to nature be harder?” and I would tell you that it’s actually the opposite.

I lived on the east side of Denver and the nearest hike was a 20 minute drive on a good day, but to get to what most would consider a hike it was more like a 40+ minute one way drive. Grand Rapids on the other hand, has so much more than Denver did in the same drive time.

If you live in the area or if you’re visiting and you want a quick hike either after work or just squeezed into your schedule, don’t miss these spots.

Before you scroll down and check out the first few areas in a series that I hope will be long lasting, let me clarify my criteria for the “Grand Rapids Hikes” series.

I’m considering hiking to be anything that is not 100% on a paved path. Some of the parks will have a mix of dirt, gravel, and paved paths. I’ll do my best to call out when something has paved options.

I’m considering anything within a 30 minute drive during rush hour from downtown as one in the area. You might disagree with me on this. That’s ok! Not every recommendation will be for every person. This series is meant to introduce you to the options and not to be a sole resource for hiking trails in Michigan.

Aman Park

Address: 1859 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids 49534

You’ll find Aman Park on the west side of the city just a bit past where you’ll start to think “Did I pass it?” It’s right where you clearly have left the “city” and the commercial buildings dissappear. There are a lot of small trails here that you can connect to each other for a hike long or short enough to fit your schedule. The hills were deceptively steep but I still had a great time. This one is heavily wooded and I can’t wait to check it out in the fall.

Dogs were allowed here on a leash. Parking was easy. But, be warned, if it is rainy this place will be mud central.

You can read more about Aman Park on the park’s website

Provin Park

Address: 2900 4 Mile Rd Grand Rapids Township, MI 49525

Located close to the Knapps Corner Shopping Area, this park is easily accessible. There aren’t many miles of trails but there is a cool sand dune in the middle of it. You’ll be hiking around in the woods and then BAM! Sand dune. There are a lot of social trails here but there is a perimeter trail that’s about 3/4 miles in length. So, when in doubt, find the perimeter and you’ll be able to get back to your car just fine.

Dogs were allowed here on a leash and mine loved the hills and climbing over the downed trees. For being so close to the city, there was very little road noise.

It is pretty heavily trafficked so don’t expect a lot of solitude. This one is one I plan to revisit often, especially as I get more into trail running since I still can’t run very far.

Another quick note on Provin Park- I was surprised by how wide some of the trails were and how many benches and resting areas they were. If you’re truly just dipping your toes into hiking, this could be a great place to start. The path sizes and the benches also make me think this could be a solid choice for parents with small kids or with a rugged stroller to have a quick escape into the woods.

You can read more about Provin Park on the park’s website

Blandford Nature Center

Address: 1715 Hillburn Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Right off of Leonard on the west side of Grand Rapids, MI you can find the Blandford Nature Center. There is a variety of trail types (there are dirt, grassy, gravel, and paved sections of trail throughout) you can explore and a few different areas.

This area is more than just hiking trails though. There is a whole inside center to learn about the area, historic buildings, wildlife, and some beautiful gardens.

The amount available here doesn’t come without some cautions. Dogs are not allowed on all the trails. When I visited the trail I wanted to do was not dog friendly so I pivoted my plans. There is also a $5 for non-members.

You can learn more about Bladford Nature Center at their website.