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Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 61 Google reviews · Running trail in Mattawan, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 1.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Paw Paw Prairie Fen 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.
Nature reserve with walking trails through prairie and open wetlands.
What runners say about Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve
“This isn’t a very big trail but its pretty well maintained and offers great views of the fields and forests.”
“A bit difficult walking as the path is very uneven from the previous hikers packing down the snow, but a good bit of exercise on a beautiful day.”
“A double loop easy to follow trail with a few trails into the neighboring woods.”
Drove by here a few times and decided to finally come out and hike around. Glad I did! I was expecting to be unimpressed but was taken in by the serenity of this location. Found a nice little wooded area to hang my hammock and relax with a book for a couple of hours.
Great, multi environment trail, perfect for kids. Though not challenging, I've seen more diverse skat and wildlife than any other Kalamazoo area trail. Possibly because it is never busy.
Me and the fam went before the spring bloom so the prairie wasn't a vibrant green, but rather filled with golden hills and grassland. Just goes to show that this place is beautiful no matter what the season. The trail is well marked and is a double loop.
Wonderful prairie fields and wetlands. Some great natural views. A double loop easy to follow trail with a few trails into the neighboring woods. If you walk both loops, about 1.5 miles. Lots and lots of birds. Wetland birds, prairie birds, woodland birds. Great nature and not over used.
Trail conditions & character
“A double loop easy to follow trail with a few trails into the neighboring woods.”
“A bit difficult walking as the path is very uneven from the previous hikers packing down the snow, but a good bit of exercise on a beautiful day.”
“Found a nice little wooded area to hang my hammock and relax with a book for a couple of hours.”
Plan your run at Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance1.5 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitenature.org
- Phone+1 517-316-0300
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Mattawan
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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