Home › Michigan › Portage › Eliason Nature Reserve Trail
Eliason Nature Reserve Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 4 Google reviews · Running trail in Portage, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Eliason Nature Reserve Trail'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.
What runners say about Eliason Nature Reserve Trail
North side trail head no bathrooms or drinking fountain. This is the main entrance, bathrooms, tables and drinking fountain and bike rake. Awesome paved trail that gives you some unpaved trail access too! Connects to Bishops bog (5 stars), which connects to Schrier park (5 stars).
Nice place for a walk/hike. It's very flat so an easy hike. Paved trails mostly. The bog section of the trail is not good when it's wet. It has a plastic sectional walkway that doesn't float. In several places I stepped on sections and my foot sunk under water up to my ankle.
Trail conditions & character
“Awesome paved trail that gives you some unpaved trail access too!”
“North side trail head no bathrooms or drinking fountain.”
“North side trail head no bathrooms or drinking fountain.”
Plan your run at Eliason Nature Reserve Trail
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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
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.
Eliason Nature Reserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 138 reviews
Paved trail through the woods featuring a boardwalk over a bog.
Bishop's Bog Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 68 reviews
Park featuring a trail for walking and admiring nature.
Schrier Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 262 reviews
Relaxed, wooded park, with picnic tables, featuring trails, benches, and a playground.
West Lake Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 292 reviews
Lakefront acreage with a wetland bog habitat, wooded trail & a dock promenade with scenic views.
Central Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 151 reviews
Compact, kid-friendly park featuring a playground, picnic tables, and an amphitheater.
Celery Flats Historic Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,109 reviews
Popular park for dog walks and picnics, as well as biking.