Home › Michigan › Portage › Bishop's Bog Preserve
Bishop's Bog Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · Running trail in Portage, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Bishop's Bog Preserve'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.
Park featuring a trail for walking and admiring nature.
What runners say about Bishop's Bog Preserve
“Also, the facility itself is well maintained and clean.”
“This is a beautiful and diverse bog habitat with about everything you could hope for plus at least one special rarity.”
Since this place is not near my house I don't come often, however, when I do visit I love every second of it. When I was doing cross-country I sometimes ran here, to say the least, this is a gorgeous place to run.
My 9 and 11 year old daughters love walking in the bog. Be prepared to get wet, the water will come up to your ankles in many parts. A new section of trail was just added to connect to a paved trail that runs along side the bog. Last weekend we found the attached picture...my daughters were so fascinated by it.
Lovely place for a walk to enjoy nature and companionship, but in fact it is a real bog. So in spite of our waterproof walking boots, we got our feet thoroughly drenched. Do take extra socks and shoes to change in the car at the end of the expedition, otherwise you will not appreciate the drive back.
The walkways are fantastic, sturdy and well above the water line when we went. I parked at the skate park right near there, where they have decent restrooms and a water fountain. Lovely walking trails 😊
Trail conditions & character
“This is a beautiful and diverse bog habitat with about everything you could hope for plus at least one special rarity.”
“I was expecting a common boardwalk hike but what I got was a walk through an environment I was not familiar with.”
“Along with the gorgeous nature trails within the park, they have a playground, bathrooms, a picnic area with tables, water fountain, and a large field.”
“Along with the gorgeous nature trails within the park, they have a playground, bathrooms, a picnic area with tables, water fountain, and a large field.”
Plan your run at Bishop's Bog Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteportagemi.gov
- Phone(269) 329-4522
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Portage
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
West Lake Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 292 reviews
Lakefront acreage with a wetland bog habitat, wooded trail & a dock promenade with scenic views.
Eliason Nature Reserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 138 reviews
Paved trail through the woods featuring a boardwalk over a bog.
Central Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 151 reviews
Compact, kid-friendly park featuring a playground, picnic tables, and an amphitheater.
Schrier Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 262 reviews
Relaxed, wooded park, with picnic tables, featuring trails, benches, and a playground.
Celery Flats Historic Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,109 reviews
Popular park for dog walks and picnics, as well as biking.