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Van Buren Trail State Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 56 Google reviews · Running trail in Hartford, Michigan · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Crushed gravel
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Van Buren Trail State Park'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.

Van Buren Trail State Park — running trail in Hartford, MI, photo 1
Van Buren Trail State Park — running trail in Hartford, MI, photo 2
Van Buren Trail State Park — running trail in Hartford, MI, photo 3
Van Buren Trail State Park — running trail in Hartford, MI, photo 4
Van Buren Trail State Park — running trail in Hartford, MI, photo 5
Crushed gravelOpen 24h

Kid-friendly state park offering a walking path.

What runners say about Van Buren Trail State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (56 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

If you look at it as an adventure and understand that it's an underdeveloped trail, it's a good time! Today there was water over the trail around 2 miles in from the Hartford trail head and it was muddy and mushy in places. I strongly recommend riding a mountain bike.

★★★★☆ — Candi , May 2020

Parking was a bit challenging with construction vehicles in the lot but we made it in. Trail is a bit rough but we did a few miles. Need bug spray once you cross the river.

★★★★☆ — Rich , Jun 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 56 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.

🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Van Buren Trail State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitekalhaven.org
  • Social Facebook

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 Van Buren Trail State Park

Van Buren Trail State Park, Hartford, MI 49057

Get directions

Running trails near Hartford

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

Randall Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 250 reviews

Coloma, MI

City park with slides, swings, and other playground equipment, plus picnic pavilions.

7.1 miles away

Lions Park

4 ★★★★☆ 119 reviews

Bangor, MI

Park for families featuring swings and picnic tables, as well as basketball and salmon.

7.8 miles away

Van Buren State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,297 reviews

South Haven, MI

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Park with lakeside sand dunes & woodland trails features picnic area with grills & modern campsites.

10.8 miles away

Black River Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 149 reviews

South Haven, MI

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Scenic, wooded preserve of easy-to-moderate trails, with a river and ravines at the Black River's South Branch.

12.6 miles away

Van Buren Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 83 reviews

South Haven, MI

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Paved path for walking, biking and running that joins a state park and lakefront.

13.4 miles away

Van Buren Trailhead

4.2 ★★★★☆ 6 reviews

South Haven, MI

13.9 miles away

All running trails in Hartford, 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.