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Bancroft Park (North Trailhead)
4.5 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in Lansing, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Bancroft Park (North Trailhead)'s own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Paved and unpaved trails wind through the woods, around ponds and past a playground.
What runners say about Bancroft Park (North Trailhead)
“Most of the trails are shaded by tall mature trees - a gorgeous setting.”
“Nearly completed shaded paved trail - it’s about 10 degrees cooler under the canopy - perfect for running or riding your bike and not getting burned”
Bancroft Park is a hidden gem. It has three paved loops (hiking trails) with dirt trails branching off. Most of the trails are shaded by tall mature trees - a gorgeous setting. There's also a playground within the first loop.Not too busy but feels friendly.
Working drinking fountains during the summer months....biking/walking trails and snow sledding in the winter.🚴♀️🚴🚴♂️👣🚲🛴🛹
Beautiful walking path through park. Great lookouts of the lakes and ponds as well.
Lovely little walk with my dog and I! We saw dear. We had to end a walk early because my dog heard some loud bangs in the distance. Not sure if that means there's some plant nearby that's doing work. But my dog gets spooked by those type of sounds. So I haven't seen the whole park just yet.
Trail conditions & character
“The south entrance has space for 15 vehicles, it has a map of the paved paths, there is a play group up the path a ways, there are four official entrances to the park.”
“Most of the trails are shaded by tall mature trees - a gorgeous setting.”
“Great for riding bikes, walking your dog or just enjoying the ponds full of ducks!”
“One each on Otto St (Main parking lot), Oak St, North St, David st (North Trail head), there is also an unofficial entrance on Whyte st.”
“Nearly completed shaded paved trail - it’s about 10 degrees cooler under the canopy - perfect for running or riding your bike and not getting burned”
“Working drinking fountains during the summer months.”
Plan your run at Bancroft Park (North Trailhead)
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefacebook.com
- Phone(517) 483-4277
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–8 PM |
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