HomeMichiganBay City › Veterans Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,593 Google reviews · Running trail in Bay City, Michigan · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Veterans Memorial 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.

BoardwalkScenicTrailhead parking

Large riverside park with sports fields & walkways, plus a marina, an arboretum & a concert stage.

What runners say about Veterans Memorial Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2,593 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“It’s always clean and I love that it’s very close to the ice cream place with put put golf.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Starting from Bigalow park to the marina is about a 3 mile walk with great scenic views.”

I like going along the rail trail for a walk. Starting from Bigalow park to the marina is about a 3 mile walk with great scenic views. If I time it right I could be seen on TV5 news. Enjoy a wonderful day on the river side.

★★★★☆ — John , Apr 2019

This was by far one of the best kid friendly parks we have ever been to. You will not regret bringing your family to enjoy the memorials, park and boardwalk!

★★★★★ — Jim , Sep 2021

Beautiful park. Nice view of lake Huron. The pier is located at this park. Nice walk. They also have work out equipment.

★★★★★ — Bluebird , May 2024

Really nice park. Beautiful park with flowers and walking. They have created like a little zen area. It's a little path through the trees with little calming words and a couple of benches I didn't take too many photos with phone camera. I will go again. Bring peanuts for friendly squirrels :)

★★★★★ — Brenda , Aug 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 2,593 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 9 mentions

“Starting from Bigalow park to the marina is about a 3 mile walk with great scenic views.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Parking (well, leaving) was a PITA after the fireworks, so I recommend parking on the city streets where available.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“You will not regret bringing your family to enjoy the memorials, park and boardwalk!”

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Plan your run at Veterans Memorial Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Phone(989) 894-8314

Hours

Monday 6 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–10 PM
Friday 6 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6 AM–10 PM

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 Veterans Memorial Park

John F Kennedy Dr, Bay City, MI 48706

Get directions

Running trails near Bay City

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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Riverbend West Nature Area

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Natural surface

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DeFoe Park

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Popular baseball-themed playground, skatepark and sports fields for little leaguers.

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Ted Putz Nature Area

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BoardwalkScenic

4-acre park with a boardwalk overlooking the wetlands scenery of the Saginaw River floodplain.

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Discovery Preserve

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MixedScenicDog-friendly

This area of marshland features a boardwalk, observation deck, playground & nature center.

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All running trails in Bay City, 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.