Grand Rapids Outdoor Winter Activity Guide
There is lots of fun to be had in our City parks and public spaces throughout the colder months. We've created a guide to staying active and exploring the outdoors this winter.
Sledding
Sledding has always been a favorite winter pastime for families. Our favorite sledding hills at the following parks:
Ice Skating
Rosa Parks Circle ice rink is one of Grand Rapids' treasured winter destinations. The 2022-23 season begins on November 25 and ends on February 26.
Learn More
Hiking and Outdoor Exploration
Winter hiking can be a relaxing escape from the City and no snow is required! The following parks are great for taking in natural winter beauty across Grand Rapids:
Riverside Park (2001 Monroe Ave NE)
Riverside Park is a sprawling 186-acre park on the City's Northeast side. The park has plenty of open space for playing in the snow, excellent views of the Grand River and Grand Rapids skyline, and plowed paved trails for walking and running.
Parking info: North and south parking lots are open and plowed, Guild Street and little league field entrances are closed.
- Miles of trails: 2.3
- Surface: Paved
- Trail Plowed: Yes
Aman Park (O-1859 Lake Michigan Dr NW)
Aman Park is the largest park under City ownership. The park has over 300 acres of wooded area and over 6 miles of natural trails to explore. Be sure to check out the footbridges over sand creek for picturesque winter beauty.
Parking info: Entrance is open and plowed by Indian Trails Camp.
- Miles of trails: 6.4
- Surface: Natural
- Trail Plowed: No
Burton Woods (2259 Everest Ave SE)
Burton woods is a 6-acre natural area with a small trail loop perfect for short but scenic walks through snow-covered pines.
Parking info: Plowed street parking is available at the trailhead. The nearby Garfield Park Gym parking lot off Madison Ave is open and plowed.
- Miles of trails: 0.4
- Surface: Natural
- Trail Plowed: No
Ken-O-Sha Park (1353 Van Auken St SE)
Ken-O-Sha Park is home to a trail head for the Plaster Creek Trail. The paved and natural trails throughout this 82-acre park wind through peaceful wooded areas and along Plaster Creek.
Parking info: Entrance is open and the parking lot is plowed by Grand Rapids Public Schools.
- Miles of trails: 2.7
- Surface: Natural and Paved
- Trail Plowed: No
Huff Park (2399 Ball Ave NE)
The Huff Park boardwalk is a year-round community favorite. Wildlife sightings are common, so keep an eye out for deer on your visit.
Parking info: Parking lot off Aberdeen St is open and plowed, Ball Ave entrance is open but not plowed
- Miles of trails: 1.0
- Surface: Paved and Boardwalk
- Trail Plowed: No
Ball Perkins Park (1675 Perkins Ave NE)
Ball Perkins Park is a lesser-known natural area on the City's Northeast side. Despite a relatively shorter trail, the wooded area and wetland overlook are a must-see in the winter.
Parking info: Entrance off Perkins Ave is open but not plowed.
- Miles of trails: 0.7
- Surface: Natural
- Trail Plowed: No
Grand River Edges East (from Sixth Street Park to Leonard St.)
Looking for something closer to the heart of Grand Rapids? The paved multi-use trail along the east side of the Grand River will be plowed for use throughout the snowy season.
Parking info: Parking lots at Sixth Street and Canal Parks are open from 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. daily and plowed by Mobile GR and Parking Services.
- Miles of trails: 0.7
- Surface: Paved
- Trail Plowed: Yes
Parks to Visit
If you want to adventure Downtown or if you're looking for an open space to make a snowman, have a winter scavenger hunt or build snow forts, we keep the following parks open daily from dawn to dusk through winter:
- Aberdeen Park (2230 Eastern Ave NE)
Gate is open, parking lot is not plowed
- Aman Park (O-1859 Lake Michigan Dr NW)
Gate is open, parking lot is plowed
- Canal Park (941 Monroe Ave NW)
Gate is open, parking lot is plowed
- Cambridge Park (1501 Gladstone Dr SE)
Parking lot is plowed
- Covell Dog Park (526 Covell Ave NW, Rapid bus lines 12 and 18)
Parking lot is plowed
- Fish Ladder Park (560 Front Ave NW, Rapid bus line 7)
Parking lot is plowed
- Garfield Park (2111 Madison Ave SE, Rapid bus lines 3 and 24)
Parking lot off Madison Ave is plowed, parking lot off Jefferson is open but not plowed
- Highland Park (700 College Ave SE, Rapid bus line 15)
Parking lot is partially plowed
- Hillcrest Dog Park (1415 Lyon St NE)
Parking lot is plowed
- Huff Park (2399 Ball Ave NE)
Parking lot off Aberdeen St is plowed, Ball Ave entrance is open but not plowed
- Joe Taylor Park (1038 Bemis St SE)
Parking lot is plowed
- Lincoln Park (1120 Bridge St NW)
Parking lot off Marion is plowed, parking lot off Garfield is open but not plowed
- MacKay-Jaycees Park (2531 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Rapid bus line 2)
Parking lot is plowed
- Martin Luther King Park (900 Fuller Ave SE, Rapid bus lines 2 and 5)
Parking lot near lodge is plowed, entrance near ball fields is open but not plowed
- Mary Waters Park (1042 Lafayette Ave NE, Rapid bus line 11)
Parking lot is plowed
- Mulick Park (1632 Sylvan Ave SE)
Gate is open, parking lot is not plowed
- Midtown Green (747 Fountain St NE)
Street parking only
- Ottawa Hills Park (2060 Oakfield Ave SE)
Gate is open, parking lot is not plowed
- Richmond Park (1011 Richmond St NW)
Main entrance is open and parking lot is plowed, north parking lot is closed
- Riverside Park (2001 Monroe Ave NE, Rapid bus line 13)
North and south parking lots are open and plowed, Guild St and little league entrances are closed
- Roosevelt Park (739 Van Raalte Dr SW, Rapid bus lines 10 and 16)
Parking lot is plowed
Fat Tire Biking, Snowshoeing, and Cross Country Skiing
In the winter months, Indian Trails Golf Course (2776 Kalamazoo Ave SE) becomes home to a winter recreation track for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking. Snowshoes and fat tire bikes are available to rent. Visitors must bring their own skis. The clubhouse is open daily for warming up by the fire and buying some hot cocoa.
View a trail map, hours, and admission prices HERE.