Home › Michigan › Burton › For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum
For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,332 Google reviews · Running trail in Burton, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 7 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum'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.
383-acre preserve since 1970 featuring a visitor center, trails, many woody specimens & a treehouse.
What runners say about For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum
“My family and I loved our walk, the beautiful flowers, the cool bridge’s and the welcome center had some amazing animals on there as well.”
“It's peaceful and even if the parking lot is full it never feels overwhelmed with people once you get out into the trails.”
“It is super family friendly, and also the most easily navigated reserve I've been to so far.”
My family loves going here, it is one of our favorites. It has so many trails that are well groomed and have maps along the way. The treehouse is so cool, and we love the nature center, the butterfly tent, the hands on garden area, catching frogs by the pond, and looking at the goldfish.
First time here and what I thought would just be a normal walk through turned in to an amazing two mile walk with so much to see. My family and I loved our walk, the beautiful flowers, the cool bridge’s and the welcome center had some amazing animals on there as well. Thank you so much.
Awesome and completely FREE park. Great place with lots of activities for kids in the welcome center. You can check out backpacks that have activities to do during your nature walk. Beautiful butterfly house with lots of different kinds of butterflies. There is also a vegetable garden as well.
4.5/5.0 I've learned to enjoy my tranquility while in nature, and like the 2.5k reviews imply, there are plenty of people here. It is super family friendly, and also the most easily navigated reserve I've been to so far.
Trail conditions & character
“My family and I loved our walk, the beautiful flowers, the cool bridge’s and the welcome center had some amazing animals on there as well.”
“It's peaceful and even if the parking lot is full it never feels overwhelmed with people once you get out into the trails.”
“The visitor center has bathrooms, classrooms, and live and taxidermy animals to observe.”
“It's peaceful and even if the parking lot is full it never feels overwhelmed with people once you get out into the trails.”
Plan your run at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum
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
- Distance7 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitegeneseecountyparks.org
- Phone(810) 736-7100
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Burton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Kelly Lake Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 306 reviews
Park featuring a fishing dock, a boat launch & a beach, plus a pavilion & a sledding hill.
Pierce Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 11 reviews
Kearsley Park
4.1 ★★★★☆ 516 reviews
Spacious city park with a playground, ball fields & a pavilion hosting seasonal concerts & plays.
Stepping Stone Falls
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,601 reviews
Scenic recreation area with trails, picnic sites & an accessible dam & lake stocked with fish.
Wolverine Trail
3.5 ★★★★☆ 6 reviews