A1 Trails
Rail Trails in Michigan

Saginaw Valley Rail Trail, Michigan

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Trail description: 7-mile paved trail from Saginaw to St. Charles.
Access fee: None (2004)
Towns along the trail: Saginaw, St. Charles
Web site: Saginaw County Parks and Rec
Trail map: Available from the Parks and Rec office and on their website
Trail surface: Paved
Designated activities: Bicycling, horseback riding, walking, inline skating, cross-country skiing
Facilities on the trail: Toilets at each end of the trail, water fountain at St. Charles rail head, restaurants and lodging available in St. Charles along with other services common to small village living.
Points of interest: Trail skirts the Shiawassee State Game Area. Plenty of wildlife to see while using the trail.
Lodging: Saginaw and Bay City have hotels and other accommodations
Camping: Several commercial campgrounds are in the region
Bike shops:
Weather forecast: Bay City
Tourism info: Saginaw Chamber
Getting to the trail: Trailhead is in St. Charles at the Lumberjack park on Water St.
Map of local region: St. Charles
Submitted by: JCS
from: Chesaning, Michigan
Date submitted: Aug 21, 2004

Rate this section of trail

Number of ratings: 9
Average rating: 4.50

Trail name: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: July, 2005
Sections that I biked: All of it
My favourite sections of the trail: The part that leaves the edge of M-52 and cuts straight throw the country.
Best time to go: Anytime the weather is nice.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: The scenery and the way the trees hug the road and the trail cuts through the county instead of following a busy road.
What I disliked: They should have mile markers on both sides of the post not just coming from St. Charles. There should also be a bathroom built other then a port-a-potty. They need to post how we can donate to the trail as well, and anything they plan on doing to make the trail longer or better.
Comments: There is at least seven places to eat at, not including the two parks if you wish to bring something to eat. There is one place just south of St. Charles on M-52 to stay over night or longer. The trail begins at the river where you can fish or boat as well.
Submitted by: Jeremy J
from: Brant
Date submitted: July 31, 2005

Trail name: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: July, 2005
Sections that I biked: The entire trail - round trip every time I go there. Its A walk in the park.
My favourite sections of the trail: The encloded wooded sections where the trees block the sunlight. I also like the rivers and ponds.
Best time to go: spring, fall, and the cool summer days.
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Scenery, the mile markers, the bridges.
What I disliked: needs a restroom and maybe a few party stores along the route (to quench thirst).
Comments: Gotta watch your kids along the edge of the trail in certain areas. ravines are pretty steep. I wish the parks division would trim some of the low lying branches that slap across your face.
Submitted by: Paul Evon
from: Saginaw, MI
Date submitted: July 17, 2005

Trail name: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: July, 2005
Sections that I biked: entire length
My favourite sections of the trail: it's all nice
Best time to go: any
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: there is nothing to dislike here
there are benches along the way, a nice field of wild flowers, water to view, etc.
What I disliked:
Comments: St. Charles is a great place to rest after biking the trail
Submitted by: Andrew T
from: Saginaw
Date submitted: July 14, 2005

Trail name: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: June, 2005
Sections that I biked: all of it
My favourite sections of the trail: when you go threw the wooded area
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: layout
What I disliked: nothing
Comments:
Submitted by: d haremski
from: saginaw
Date submitted: June 20, 2005

Trail name: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: May, 2005
Sections that I biked:
My favourite sections of the trail:
Best time to go: spring
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 3.5 stars
What I liked: it was beautiful
What I disliked: there needs to be more restrooms (portable toliets) along the way!
Comments:
Submitted by: Manda
from: Saginaw, MI
Date submitted: May 4, 2005

Trail name: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: Apr, 2005
Sections that I biked: I have biked the entire length and back many times.
My favourite sections of the trail: All of the trail is nice because it is kept clean and well maintained.
Best time to go: Anytime
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: The scenery is nice. It has trees lining both sides in many areas.
What I disliked: I don't dislike anything about the trails. For a short trail, it is a joy to use.
Comments: At the St. Charles end of the trail, there is an ice cream shop and across the street is a pizza place that serves a great chef's salad. You need to cross a highway (M-52) to get to a paved sidewalk, but this doesn't present any problems.
Submitted by: lew
from: Saginaw
Date submitted: April 5, 2005

Trail name: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: August, 2004
Sections that I biked:
My favourite sections of the trail:
Best time to go: in the summer
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked:
What I disliked:
Comments: Great trail to go see. it is fun to walk the trail.
Submitted by:
from:
Date submitted: Jan 14, 2005

Name of trail: Saginaw Valley Rail Trail
I have used the trail: Weekly
Date of my last visit: August,
Best time to go: All summer long
Sections covered: All of the trail is used by us daily during the summer
Favorite sections: All of the trail is nice
Activities I have done on the trail: Bicycling, and walking
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: All of the above. This trail is kept clean and is easy to ride. All of the people we meet are friendly
What I disliked: Some days it could be longer but 3 more miles will be added this year
Additional comments:
Submitted by: JCS
from: Chesaning, Michigan
Date submitted: Aug 21, 2004

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