HomeMichiganAlpena › Bay View Park

Bay View Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 746 Google reviews · Running trail in Alpena, Michigan · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Bay View Park'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.

BoardwalkOpen 24hScenicRestroomsWater

Lakeside park featuring a pier and a playground, plus a band shell and sports facilities.

What runners say about Bay View Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (746 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Beautiful beach ⛱ 💙 Water was super clear (little chilly at first) Beach area was really nice and clean.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 11 mentions

“Beautiful beach ⛱ 💙 Water was super clear (little chilly at first) Beach area was really nice and clean.”

I love taking my dog Gracie for walks in this park. She enjoys letting loose & chasing the Canadian geese. I only moved to Alpena a week ago, so I didn't get to take advantage of the music in the park this past summer. I am greatly looking forward to music in the park next year!

★★★★★ — Deborah , Jan 2024

Super beautiful and peaceful here. Came here around 7ish before the sun set, it wasn't crowded at all and we were able to sit on the rocks right above the water and admire its beauty. We walked the pier next to the marina afterwards, which had a few interesting signs about the history of the area.

★★★★★ — Rachel , Sep 2020

Beautiful park! The walking/bike path in the water is fun, the breeze from lake Huron feels amazing. My 6 year old enjoyed playing on the big rocks and also at the playground. Always a great stop when visiting Alpena.

★★★★★ — Donna , Aug 2022

Very clean park. It has a playground, tennis courts, outdoor amphitheater and our favorite a pier. It’s a very beautiful place to enjoy nature and just go for a relaxing walk. I highly recommend visiting. Beautiful view of Lake Huron.

★★★★★ — Adam , Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 746 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 20 mentions

“Beautiful beach ⛱ 💙 Water was super clear (little chilly at first) Beach area was really nice and clean.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“There was no bathrooms or water fountains, but there was 2 porta-potties.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“There was no bathrooms or water fountains, but there was 2 porta-potties.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

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Plan your run at Bay View Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitealpena.mi.us
  • Phone+1 989-354-1780
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bay View Park

208 N 1st Ave, Alpena, MI 49707

Get directions

Running trails near Alpena

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

1.2 miles away

Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary

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PavedScenic

Picturesque nature preserve with many walking paths, plus kayaking & birdwatching opportunities.

1.5 miles away

Island Park

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ShadedScenic

Surrounded by a nature reserve, this undeveloped island is reached by a footbridge.

1.6 miles away

Arthur E. Sytek Roadside Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

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Scenic

2.0 miles away

North Eastern State Trail Southend

5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

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Crushed gravel

2.1 miles away

Partridge Point Park

4 ★★★★☆ 42 reviews

Alpena, MI

MixedScenic

Rustic park featuring trails and scenic views, plus a beach for kayaking and fishing.

3.6 miles away

All running trails in Alpena, MI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.