12 Great Kent County Parks for Winter Recreation

Winter has arrived in Michigan, and outdoor recreation activities have shifted from kayaking, hiking, and biking to skiing, sledding, ice skating, and more difficult hiking. Those in the greater Grand Rapids area know that Kent County Parks offer great spaces for outdoor recreation no matter what the season is. Today we present our list of the top Kent County Parks for winter recreation, to help our followers find the right place for scenic cross-country skiing, quiet winter hiking in beautiful settings, and even winter biking! As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, please remember to maintain social distance when visiting these parks and trails. This is not meant to be a complete or comprehensive list of the parks that are open in the winter, just a list of some personal favorites. Here are the 12 Best Kent County Parks for winter recreation:

Provin Trails – One of the most popular parks in the area for winter recreation, Provin Trails was bustling with activity when we visited on January 3rd. The network of interconnected trails here are perfect for winter hiking, cross country skiing (trails are not groomed), and we also saw many children sledding on the park’s larger hills. 2900 4 Mile Rd., Grand Rapids Township

Seidman Park – Nearly five miles of trails can be reached from either the north or south parking lot at Seidman Park. The North Country Trail runs through this 400-acre park, which is prized for mix of fields, woods, and wetlands. This is a great spot for winter hiking, and be sure to watch for wildlife. 8155 Conservation Dr., Ada

Pickerel Lake Park – One of our absolute favorite parks in the summer and especially the fall, Pickerel Lake Park is also a great place for winter hiking and cross country skiing. Trails are well-maintained and well-marked, and wildlife sightings can be plentiful in any season. 6001 Ramsdell Dr. NE, Rockford

Lepard Preserve – This small park is a great spot for beginner winter hiking. Its short trail winds through a scenic forest just a block from M-37, and interpretive signage tells about how important preserving this wildlife habitat is. Loop trail is well-marked and easy to follow. 6030 76th St SE, Caledonia

Paris Park – This park is leased to the city of Kentwood and maintained by their parks department, but it definitely earns its place on this list thanks to its short but beautiful trails that follow Plaster Creek through the woods. Trails are wide and easy to follow, though we did not find a map showing all of them and there are no arrows or markers at intersections. 3213 60th St., Kentwood

Luton Park – If you drive by Luton Park in the summer, you will find a packed parking lot. Well-known for its network of mountain biking trails, Luton is less busy in the winter but still worth a visit. If you’re looking for a challenging network of trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or fat bike riding this is the place to be. 5950 10 Mile Rd., Rockford

Wahlfield Park – This excellent park “features a main recreational area that also serves as a trailhead for its extensive network of trails that explore a hilly mix of woods, creek valley and open fields.” Winter biking here is popular, and the hiking trails are well-marked and well-maintained. 6811 Alpine Ave., Alpine Twp.

Palmer Park – The 52nd St. entrance to Palmer Park is closed in the winter, but don’t let that deter your visit. Head over to the entrance for Kaufman Golf Course on Clyde Park Ave. and you can see why this is the place to be when there is snow on the ground. You can rent cross country skis here and explore the park’s three groomed trails. Find out more about hours of operation and rental fees here. 4807 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming 

Millennium Park – The crown jewel of the Kent County Parks system still attracts many visitors in the winter months: “Some trails are groomed for cross country skiing, fat tire biking, and hiking. These trails are weather dependent. A loop around the recreation core is plowed for walkers. These trails are only maintained during the week. Please note that the rec/core will only be open if staff are present that day. The gate closes and is locked at 3 pm, so please make sure to move your car by then. The off-season parking is open 24/7 and plowed during the week.” Find a winter trail map here. 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker

Knapp Valley Forest – Tucked back behind Knapp Valley Forest Elementary School (and a very popular sledding hill) is a small but scenic nature preserve perfect for some beginner winter hiking or cross country skiing. Signs identify the many different kinds of trees in the forest. 4255 Knapp Valley NE, Grand Rapids Township

Fallasburg Park – We were at Fallasburg Park so much this summer that it felt like a second home, and while we won’t be visiting it in kayaks this winter (since we got our last paddle in on Dec. 26) there is still plenty to love about this park once it is snow-covered. Hiking trails here include part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, and the disc golf course remains open all year. 1124 Fallasburg Park Dr. NE, Lowell

Rogue River Park – The trail network at Rogue River Park is great for use in any season, and it is perfect for winter hiking and other activities. Watch for wildlife as the trails wind through the woods and past several fish ponds. Winter note: use the White Pine Trail parking lot off of Belmont Ave. if the gate is closed at the Belshire Ave. entrance. 6300 Belshire Ave., Belmont