Bay County Riverwalk / Rail-Trail

The Bay County Riverwalk/Rail-Trail System connects a nature trail in a wildlife refuge on the shores of Lake Huron to a a loop trail around the bustling port of Bay City. From the same 17-mile paved trail, visitors can see thousands of migratory waterfowl on Saginaw Bay, cargo and naval vessels in the Saginaw River, and Lumber Barons' homes in the cities historic district.

A 7.7-mile-long rail corridor links the Tobico Marsh Nature Area in the north with 9.8-mile Bay City loop in the south. Originally created in the 1880 as the Detroit & Alpena Railroad, the rail line hauled pine from from northern forests to the growing port of Bay City. Renamed the Detroit and Mackinac Railroad in 1894, the railway was acquired in 1992 by Lake State Railway, which stopped using some sections.

Shaped overall like a lasso, the trail has many access points. It is mostly paved with asphalt as a separate path, although there are sidewalk sections alongside roads and boardwalks on the waterfront. Follow the directional arrows to stay on the path through Bay City.

Beginning at the Bay City State Recreation Area trailhead just off of Beaver Rd./State Park Drive, you can visit the Tobico Marsh Nature Area by heading north for 1-mile on the Frank N. Andersen Nature Trail (part of the Bay County trail system). Bird-watchers use the two observation towers and 2.7-mile nature trail loop to view migratory birds.

Heading south from the Bay City State Recreation Area, you'll cross the Kawkawlin River and leave the rail corridor in 3.2-miles. From here, travel begins on paved paths separated from city streets or sidewalks. Just past the riverfront DeFoe Park, you'll arrive at the start of the Bay City loop. Going south to make a counterclockwise loop, you'll find many tempting eateries specializing in ethnic cuisine.

The trail continues past a bustling marina to the popular waterfront Veterans Memorial Park, featuring gardens in the Kantzler Memorial Arboretum, riverside benches, and memorials of bygone shipbuilding days. Bird-watchers will enjoy the riverfront boardwalk and pedestrians bridge over the Middleground Island and Bigelow Park. (Another pedestrian bridge at Hotchkiss Rd. is planned to link the Saginaw County to Bay County Connector Trail, which begins at the eastern most end of East Hotchkiss Rd.). Taking the Lafayette Street Bridge, the route continues south past waterfront businesses before heading into the residential district.

After Trumbull St., the corridor opens up for a smooth pass through farmland and woodlots for a couple of miles on a former Penn Central Railroad corridor. Heading north, you'll brush the eastern edge of Bay City's Center Avenue Historic District, where the local 19th century elite built homes that still survive. In 2.4-miles, you'll close the loop after crossing the Saginaw River on the Liberty Bridge's sidewalk. DeFoe Park is 0.6-miles north.