HomeMichiganLansing › Lansing River Trail

Lansing River Trail

3.9 ★★★★☆ 27 Google reviews · Running trail in Lansing, Michigan · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Lansing River Trail yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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.

Lit at nightScenic

What runners say about Lansing River Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (27 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful place to walk/hike/run/hang out/listen to the Manwagon podcast wherever you get your podcasts/have a picnic/host an event/and so much more!”

Was having a nice walk when I was almost lit on fire. Don’t know why the bush was on fire but it was crazy. Also met a nice fellow named Bruce. Seems like a good guy.

★★★★★ — Jacob , Apr 2025

Beautiful walk enjoyed my time until I got smoked out by a guy named Bruce who ended up being super nice and offering me a smoke and then proceeded to light the trail on fire would Return

★★★★☆ — Dane , Apr 2025

Nice scenery, wide open trails, wooded areas to enjoy and of course, the riverfront! Spread throughout the greater Lansing area, the River Trail offers a relaxing walk for all types of walkers! Get outside and experience the Lansing River Trail today!

★★★★☆ — Nukacolareviews , Jul 2025

The River Trail is such a Lansing landmark. It's fun to walk around near downtown. Some parts are nicer than others. It goes for miles each direction and has expanded and has so much scenery and history.

★★★★★ — Neal , Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 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 5 mentions

“Beautiful place to walk/hike/run/hang out/listen to the Manwagon podcast wherever you get your podcasts/have a picnic/host an event/and so much more!”

More trails like this →

💡 Lit for night running 2 mentions

“Was having a nice walk when I was almost lit on fire.”

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Plan your run at Lansing River Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • Websitelansingrivertrail.org

Where to find Lansing River Trail

305 Riverfront Dr, Lansing, MI 48912

Get directions

Running trails near Lansing

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

Bancroft Park Trails

4.7 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

Lansing, MI

PavedScenic

1.5 miles away

Tollgate Wetlands

4.7 ★★★★★ 243 reviews

Lansing, MI

Crushed gravelScenic

Nature preserve with a loop trail through habitat for wildlife such as deer and herons.

1.6 miles away

Bancroft Park (North Trailhead)

4.5 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

Lansing, MI

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Paved and unpaved trails wind through the woods, around ponds and past a playground.

1.7 miles away

Clippert St Trailhead - Lansing River Trail

4.3 ★★★★☆ 33 reviews

Lansing, MI

2.1 miles away

Fenner Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ 828 reviews

Lansing, MI

PavedScenicDog-friendly

134-acre environmental education site with a visitor center, hands-on exhibits & self-guided trails.

2.1 miles away

Red Cedar Pkwy Trailhead - Lansing River Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Lansing, MI

2.1 miles away

All running trails in Lansing, 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.