HomeMichiganShelby › Shelby Trailhead on Hart-Montague Trail

Shelby Trailhead on Hart-Montague Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 53 Google reviews · Running trail in Shelby, Michigan · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Shelby Trailhead on Hart-Montague 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.

Open 24hShadedFlat & fastRestrooms

Park with bike trails and a public restroom.

What runners say about Shelby Trailhead on Hart-Montague Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (53 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Clean trail, friendly folks in town.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions
🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Trail is well shaded and smooth which made for a quiet peaceful ride.”

This is a great path whether you're a local using it for everyday exercise or exploring Michigan's bike trails! Formerly the Pere Marquette railway, the Rail Trail runs through Oceana County connecting many of its major towns and Montague in Muskegon County at its southern most stretch.

★★★★★ — Madeline , Aug 2017

I used to walk these trails as a child until we moved away. It was nice coming back to see it has been well taken care of and to see many people still using it to walk, bike, exercise. Nice shade along the way 😊

★★★★★ — Irene , Jul 2024

Trail is well shaded and smooth which made for a quiet peaceful ride. We rode from Shelby to Hart and enjoyed the 8.5 miles each way.

★★★★★ — Heidi , Jul 2020

Great place to stop while biking along the trail. Large open structure and restrooms. Easy access to Shelby's downtown.

★★★★★ — Gary , Sep 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 53 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.

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Trail is well shaded and smooth which made for a quiet peaceful ride.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Large open structure and restrooms.”

More trails like this →

Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Low to the ground and no hills!”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Shelby Trailhead on Hart-Montague Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitemichigandnr.com

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

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Shelby Trailhead on Hart-Montague Trail

Shelby, Michigan

Get directions

Running trails near Shelby

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

Shelby Community Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

Shelby, MI

Scenic

1.6 miles away

Genevieve Casey Nature Sanctuary

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Shelby, MI

2.7 miles away

3.2 miles away

Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,522 reviews

New Era, MI

22 miPavedScenic

Well-maintained walking, biking and snowmobiling trail that runs between Montague and Hart.

3.8 miles away

Hart Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 21 reviews

Hart, MI

PavedScenic

5.4 miles away

Otto Nature Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Shelby, MI

ScenicDog-friendly

Wooded nature preserve featuring easy-to-follow hiking trails for walkers and their pets.

7.7 miles away

All running trails in Shelby, 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.