Home › Michigan › Sanford › Pere Marquette Rail Trail
Pere Marquette Rail Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 151 Google reviews · Running trail in Sanford, Michigan · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Pere Marquette Rail 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.
Long rail-trail used for hiking and biking that stretches from Clare to Baldwin.
What runners say about Pere Marquette Rail Trail
“The surface is well maintained and there are lots of trees for shade on hot days.”
“From there, you can travel west or go over the Tridge and go 4 miles to the Chippewa Nature Center for a quick and beautiful side trip.”
“The surface is well maintained and there are lots of trees for shade on hot days.”
One awesome rail trail. Stretching from Midland to Reed City nonstop and all paved. Approximately 70 + miles. Expected to have a new 7 mile portion from Midland east to Freeland completed in 2027, including a passage over the Tittabawasse river on the restored Bailey bridge.
We started in Sanford and skated our way into midland. Love the journey of this rail trail. There’s plenty of stops along the way and taking the route to midland allows you to shop and refresh before getting back on the trail.
This is a very nice rail trail. 30 miles Clare to Midland. Best to get Michigan trails magazine for parking/staging areas. There is also the chippewa nature trail from the tridge to the chippewa nature center. About 3 miles. Trail stops in Clare and there is 2.5 mile gap that picks up at the Moose lodge.
The area we rode was paved and smooth. A nice two hour bike ride. Rode from the trailhead to downtown Midland park next to the tridge and back for a 16 mile ride.
Trail conditions & character
“Stretching from Midland to Reed City nonstop and all paved.”
“A good 30-mile hike from Midland to Clare, with plenty of benches for sitting, the occasional porta loo, but lack of drinking water facilities.”
“From there, you can travel west or go over the Tridge and go 4 miles to the Chippewa Nature Center for a quick and beautiful side trip.”
“The surface is well maintained and there are lots of trees for shade on hot days.”
“Rode from the trailhead to downtown Midland park next to the tridge and back for a 16 mile ride.”
Plan your run at Pere Marquette Rail Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance3 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Phone(989) 832-6876
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Sanford
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Pine Haven Trails
4.5 ★★★★★ 76 reviews
Wooded park featuring hiking and biking trails that range from short loops to an extensive trek.
Pine Haven Recreational Area
4.3 ★★★★☆ 131 reviews
Large, scenic park featuring marked trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, plus a creek.
Riverview Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 75 reviews
Wooded trails, some along a river, through a natural area.
Midland City Forest Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 719 reviews
Multi-use, tree-lined park offering walking and hiking trails, plus toboggan runs and an ice rink.
Chippewa Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,082 reviews
Educational center featuring a wide range of nature programming, plus 1,200 acres & many trails.