Best wheelchair friendly trails in Michigan

Both the Upper and Lower Falls have their own unique beauty. The Upper Falls drops more than 50 feet and is more than 200 feet wide, while the Lower Falls consists of five smaller falls that go around an island. The water has a unique amber, or "root beer," color due to tannins from local trees. The area around the Lower Falls in particular can get very muddy. Accessibility: The estimated average grade for the entire trail is 3% and the max grade is 20% so there are sections that may be too steep for wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers without assistance. You can drive to each of the Falls and there are accessible overlooks. There is a loaner wheelchair available for the Upper Falls trail at the "Fact Shack" in the parking lot. The Lower Falls trail is partially paved/boardwalk and partially gravel with a max grade of 5%. There are some staircases shown along this trail but it is unclear whether they are part of the trail or part of side routes. Trail may be slippery due to mud, snow, or ice.Show more

This trail is on the opposite side of Kensington Rd. from the Blue/Yellow mountain bike trails and is for hikers only - no Mtbs. It is a very easy trail. One downside is for much of the trail along the river the primary sound is from the shooting range. The part around Trout Lake is paved, but the rest is natural. Going clockwise from the parking lot area, the first part of the trail, along the river and then back towards Trout Lake, is mostly deciduous trees. If, after going about 3/4 of the way around Trout Lake, you take the first cutoff to the left and go up and across the park road, you return toward the parking lot in an evergreen wood, making a nice mixture of Michigan woods in one short hike.Show more

A pleasant, paved stroll through peaceful meadows around a lake with beach access. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved, smooth, and typically at least eight feet wide. It is mostly gentle (estimated under 5% grade). Most wheelchair and stroller users will find this trail navigable.Show more

The Upper Macatawa Natural Area is 612 acres in total and offers many opportunities for biking, walking, running, cross-country skiing and birdwatching. Beautiful bridges span between forest, wetlands, and grasslands habitats. This paved loop begins at the 84th Avenue access and leads to a scenic overlook. The Natural Area is open year-round at the following times. April 1 through October 31 - 7:00am - 10:00pm November 1 through March 31 - 7:00am - 8:00pm Accessibility: There are at least 2 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of 84th Avenue at the south end of the trail. Both of them are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is smoothly paved asphalt, a wooden bridge (with railings), or natural and mowed grass/dirt. It is typically at least 5 feet wide. A waypoint is located where the pavement gives way to unpaved and natural surfaces. The estimated grade is mostly gentle (5% or less) except for moderately steep to very steep (over 5%) uphill and downhill sections at about 0.6 and from 1.3 through 1.8 miles when going clockwise. Trail goers/hikers using wheelchairs/mobility equipment or strollers may need assistance in the steeper sections or to avoid them for safety. All-terrain tires or motorized equipment may be needed for the unpaved and potentially soft and uneven sections. There are benches and picnic tables along the route for resting. The most accessible portion of the trail is the first 1.2 miles heading clockwise with its own trail page here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/michigan/upper-macatawa-paved-trail. Show more

An easy, wide gravel trail by the river with nice scenery. Accessibility: The trail surface is crushed limestone and typically eight feet wide. The grade is gentle, all estimated under 3%. As long as the gravel is not too uneven, most wheelchair and stroller users will likely find this trail navigable.Show more

In addition to the biking/walking trail around the island, there are many great paths and trails venturing into the island. The forests provide beautiful cover, the old Fort Holmes battlements are partially preserved and you can see how one would have defended the island from this highest point. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved, smooth, and typically at least eight feet wide. The estimated grade is gentle (all 3% or less) so most wheelchair and stroller users will likely be able to traverse this trail.Show more

The south trails at Lillie Park offer nice bird viewing and a little bit of woods. With the various cutoffs available, it is easy to make a visit into an easy 3-mile or more hike without retracing your steps. The boardwalk sections across the pond close in the wintertime. If it has been dry, or if you have waterproof shoes, take the extra loop through Johnson Preserve to the south for a neat little, but possibly wet, woods. Accessibility: There is a paved parking lot off Platt Road on the west side of the trail, but it is unclear if there are designated accessible spaces. The trail surface appears to be paved near the beginning and then appears to turn into packed gravel, dirt, and some wooden boardwalks with edge barriers and typically at least 3 feet wide. The estimated grade is mostly gentle (5% or less), except for some moderately steep (5-8%) sections at about 0.3 miles downhill, 0.6 miles uphill, 1.6 miles downhill, and 1.8 miles uphill. All-terrain tires or motorized equipment may be needed for the surface type and grade. Show more

Roselle Park is a 240-acre plus nature preserve located at 1010 Grand River Drive NE. The park was formerly home to the Ada Beef Company, and today features natural and restored beauty. The main trail to the river is paved, shaded, and features a river overlook and canoe landing along the Grand River frontage. The park features the Woodrick Memorial wetland observation deck, silo observation deck (open during special events), silo climbing wall, restored natural streams and waterways, restored vegetation, natural-themed park climbing equipment and a silo climbing wall, picnic tables, and portable restrooms. Additional natural trails wind through wetlands, prairies, and forests--providing good opportunities to view wildlife and migrating birds. Accessibility: The main trail surface is paved and typically at least five feet wide. The grade is flat (all estimated 1% or less) so most wheelchair and stroller users will likely be able to navigate this trail.Show more

Accessibility: Users have reported that this park has a universally accessible trail. This means it is built to ADA standards so persons using mobility equipment have access to the lake, including the fishing pier. The most accessible portion of this loop is the first 0.5 miles according to Timbers Recreation Area. However, the slope is estimated to exceed 12% grade. Trail goers using mobility equipment may still need assistance to navigate this dirt trail. There is a warning of a washout as of December 2020. Visit the park page and park website for further information.Show more

Lovely woods, smooth cement trails, nice neighborhoods, piers, and boardwalk all in one route. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved and typically at least five feet wide. The grade is mostly gentle with a couple of steep sections (all estimated under 5% except for two 8% sections).Show more