Trail description: The 92-mile multi-use Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park runs from Grand Rapids north to Cadillac along the former rail bed of the Penn Central Railroad. The trail intersects the Pere Marquette Trail at Reed City. Access fee:State trail pass Towns along the trail: Grand Rapids (pop 190,000), Rockford, Cedar Springs, Howard City, Big Rapids, Reed City, Leroy, Cadillac (pop 10,000) Web site:White Pine Trail State Park | Friends of the White Pine Trail Trail map: Available from the park Trail surface: Gravel, except for the 13 mile paved section between Big Rapids and Reed City Designated activities: Bicycling, walking, snowmobiling Facilities on the trail: Points of interest: Lodging: Grand Rapids has many choices of accommodation. Big Rapids and Cadillac have a few places to stay. Camping: Lakeside Camp Park at Cedar Springs has 160 sites, Osceola County Parks at Reed City has 160 sites, William Mitchell State Park near Cadillac has 20 sites Bike shops: Grand Rapids has three bike stores Weather forecast:Grand Rapids Tourism info:Grand Rapids/Kent County Visitors Bureau | Big Rapids/Mecosta County VB | Cadillac Area VB Getting to the trail: The White Pine Trail runs parallel to, and east of, US 131. Parking is available at Russell Road north of Rockford, and at Cedar Springs, Big Rapids, Reed City and south of Cadillac on No. 44 Rd. Map of local region:Grand Rapids | Rockford | Cedar Springs | Howard City | Big Rapids | Reed City | Leroy | Cadillac
Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: August, 2005 Sections that I biked: all sections, usually north of Big Rapids My favourite sections of the trail: White Bridge over Muskegon River Best time to go: all, especially in fall to see color of trees Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 4 stars What I liked: lots to see, mostly flat, some elevation to climb in a few areas What I disliked: around ballpark in Grand Rapids needs more signage
Comments: Paris Park is right on the trail and a good place to camp. Ride north to Reed City (paved) and then to Evart on the Pere Marquette trail. Also beautiful south of Big Rapids but not paved, need fatter tires Submitted by: DMR from: Big Rapids, MI Date submitted: Aug 31, 2005
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: July, 2005 Sections that I biked: Comstock Park to Russell Rd (N of Rockford) My favourite sections of the trail: Belmont to a Couple miles North of Rockford. Best time to go: Earyl Spring and Fall (easier to see the river) Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: The trail has been repaired and is in very good shape in this section now. The Views of the Rogue River are great and there aren't many street crossings. What I disliked: Wish it was paved further North. Otherwise nothing. Comments: Trail Side Treats (Ice Cream) in Belmont, Custards by the Dam and Rockies in Rockford (Ice Cream).
The Wolverine World Wide Tannery smells bad for about a quarter mile north of the dam in rockford but its tollerable, and hey they make great shoes. Submitted by: Chris from: Belmont, MI Date submitted: July 28, 2005
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Few Date of last visit: July, 2005 Sections that I biked: The entire trail My favourite sections of the trail: Reed City to Big Rapids Best time to go: Early October when the trees are at the peak of there color Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: Scenery from Rockford south is wonderful What I disliked: Down tree completely blocked the trail just south of Ashton Comments: Very nice, well marked (except the cross over just south of Big Rapids) and flat trail that even a novice rider like myself can accomplish. Submitted by: Glenn Bathrick from: Cadillac, Michigan Date submitted: July 17, 2005
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Several Date of last visit: May, 2005 Sections that I biked: All My favourite sections of the trail: None Best time to go: Never Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Poor Rating: 0.5 stars What I liked: What I disliked: Horses (which are not allowed) are tearing up the unpaved sections north of Cedar Springs, Howard City and Morley. Horse damage makes for very choppy, brain rattling experience. Comments: Submitted by: J. West from: West Michigan Date submitted: June 22, 2005
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: August, 2003 Sections that I biked: From North Park to just north of Rockford My favourite sections of the trail: Belmont Rd to downtown Rockford Best time to go: Summer Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Easy to ride, long stretches without crossing main streets, lots of wildlife What I disliked: Bumpy cracks in the pavement a few miles north of Belmont Rd as you're riding north, but they're marked so they're easy to see Comments: Nice little ice cream shop along the trail in Rockford. Submitted by: MV from: Grand Rapids Date submitted: Aug 18, 2003
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: August, 2003 Sections that I biked: Comstock Park to Rockford
Russel Rd (Cedar Springs?) to Rockford. My favourite sections of the trail: Belmont to Rockford, Rockford is a great place to stop, rest, eat lunch, get an ice cream or just enjoy the scenery. Best time to go: I've gone all summer, fairly well shaded by the trees. I bet fall is really pretty. Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 5 stars What I liked: The trail is well marked, fairly well maintained, though there are some cracks in a couple sections. The scenery is beautiful. The hill grades are gradual so almost anyone can ride. What I disliked: Comments: Submitted by: kmk from: Grand Rapids, MI Date submitted: Aug 9, 2003
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Several Date of last visit: June, 2003 Sections that I biked: From Big Rapids to Reed City My favourite sections of the trail: The parts you can see the river....The last trip we took we saw a Doe and her fawn in the water, turkeys, squirels, and rabits. Best time to go: all year Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: The trail is very well maintained, wonderful sites to see. Love that it is paved What I disliked: Don't have anything I don't like Comments: It;s a wonderful place to bike. Submitted by: Heidi from: Stanwood Date submitted: June 23, 2003
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: May, 2003 Sections that I biked: Comstock to Russell Road My favourite sections of the trail: Along the Rogue River in Belmont and Downtown Rockford to 12 Mile Best time to go: Spring and Fall, it's not too hot. Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: It's a beautiful trail that is well maintained and has many nice sites along the way. What I disliked: It's a great trail I wish it was paved past Russell Road so I could go further. Comments: It's a great place to ride I use it several times a week, Rockford is a friendly little town, and Riverside Park is just over the bridge at North Park in Comstock and that's a pleasant two mile ride. Submitted by: Chris from: Grand Rapids Date submitted: May 22, 2003
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: May, 2001 Sections that I biked: Pierson to Sand Lake, Pierson to Morly, Pierson to Comstock Park My favourite sections of the trail: Well marked, nice tree and close ground growth that block the wind and give a great view. Best time to go: all Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 5 stars What I liked: all the trail marking and scenery of the farm land What I disliked: the trail has a few pot hole and ruff edges from the trail as you cross roads. In CedarSpring there is a curb you have to bounce over @ 17Mi rd. Comments: This spring on our first few runns, we had to stop and clean up a lot dead tree that were laying across the trail. Cindy Ice Cream is a great treat during a long ride. Submitted by: Skip from: Pierson Mi Date submitted: May 5, 2003
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Once Date of last visit: Apr, 2003 Sections that I biked: we started at morley and biked to reed city
My favourite sections of the trail: the trail after big rapids, the pavement started. i was with my boy scout troop and we ended up patching 3 tubes between morley and big rapidsits a very nice trail and we all enjoyed it. the ride was alot more enjoyable on the paved part.we will ride this again since its so close to home Best time to go: spring Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: the trail was a great trail it is close to cross roads. it would be great after its all paved What I disliked: gravel. a few wash outs
Comments: for the most part the trail is great if you start in big rapids and go to reed city it will all be paved. the southern part is still gravel and bring a patch kit. Submitted by: ron, Troop 1137 from: white cloud mi. Date submitted: April 19, 2003
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Few Date of last visit: Mar, 2003 Sections that I biked: From Fifth Third Ball Park in Grand Rapids to just north of 14 mile road. My favourite sections of the trail: The Rockford area has some of the most beautiful views of the Rogue River ever. Best time to go: For biking, I enjoy spring and fall most, when it's not too hot. Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: The scenery was breath-taking. The trail is paved and immaculately maintained. Nice level ride for miles and miles. What I disliked: Comments: North of Rockford by about 2 or 3 miles, there is a giant stone-work bridge built in 1885 that the trail passes over that is definitely worth taking a look at. Submitted by: LDC from: Rockford, MI Date submitted: March 29, 2003
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: August, 2002 Sections that I biked: all My favourite sections of the trail: all Best time to go: any time Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars Likes and dislikes: Comments: It was very good to hike this trail Submitted by: njs from: grayling mi Date submitted: Aug 29, 2002
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Trail name: White Pine Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Few Date of last visit: July, 2001 Sections that I biked: Reed City to Big Rapids My favourite sections of the trail: the woods Best time to go: any time Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars Likes and dislikes: I like everything about the trail. It would be nice to know how many miles before the next town. Comments: Submitted by: Tammi from: Potterville, Michigan Date submitted: July 14, 2001
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