Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trails

08/28/2026

Just a reminder that the Billy Strings Freak Fair concert is happening in Ionia this weekend with close to 30,000 people expected to attend on both Friday and Saturday. We anticipate heavy use of the trail in the area as it borders the north side of the fairground. Please respect the NON-motorized status of the trail. There are several camping locations in the area catering to concert goers such as the Ionia State Rec Area as well as on the east side of Ionia near Prairie Creek. Some of these camping areas have access roads that intersect the trail so please be alert for heavy cross traffic at these locations.

Thousands of people are expected to pour into Ionia this weekend as Muir native Billy Strings brings his Ionia Freak Fair to the Ionia Free Fairgrounds.

Let us know: will you be attending?

08/22/2026

08/19/2026

In honor and appreciation of Carl Jones. Carl was one of our long time, unsung volunteers. He often helped our trail maintenance manager cut and clear debris whenever we had a damaging storm hit the trail as well as participating in other projects. Our condolences to his family and friends.

View Carl L. Jones Sr.'s complete obituary, share memories, and explore 9 tribute posts from the community.

08/10/2026

The August meeting of the Friends of the Fred Meijer River Valley Rail-Trails will be held this Wednesday, August 12th at the depot in Belding. It is located at 100 Depot St. Meeting begins at 6:00pm. Anyone who is interested in using and/or supporting the trail is welcome. If you can't make it to our meeting consider attending the Lowell Area Trailway meeting on the same evening at Vergennes Township Hall - 6:30pm.

08/03/2026

Trail maintenance update: Our mowing contractor, Scott Litchfield, will be out on our trail system the rest of this week, beginning tomorrow (Tuesday), to cut the grass on the trail shoulders. Please give Scott and his tractor plenty of room and pass when he indicates that it is safe to do so. Thanks to Scott for helping keep our trail in excellent condition!
Also, all 32 benches and decks on the Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail-Trail and Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail-Trail have recently been power washed along with the 20 kiosks. Fun fact, it takes 900+ gallons of water to power wash the above, as well as 21 hours of volunteer labor.

07/31/2026

,  The latest edition of Michigan Trails Magazine features stories that celebrate the people, projects, and momentum shaping the future of trails across Michigan. With a fresh look under new publisher Harbor House Publishing, this year’s magazine highlights the growing impact of tr...

07/30/2026

E-MOTOS ARE NOT E-BIKES.

State law regulates three classes of e-bikes and where they can be used. But e-motos are "out of class" because state law considers them to be motorized vehicles that are ABSOLUTELY NOT PERMITTED ON OUR TRAILS.

Because e-motos are high-powered and fast, they pose serious safety risks to trail users. To operate an e-moto legally in Michigan, you must register the vehicle and follow all state motor vehicle and/or off-road vehicle regulations.

Under Michigan law, e-motos are classified as motor vehicles (think electric mopeds, motorcycles or dirt bikes) – not e-bikes. A vehicle is considered an e-moto if it meets any of the following criteria:
- Exceeds 750 watts of power
- Can exceed 28 mph under motor assist
- Functions primarily as a throttle-powered vehicle above 20 mph
- Lacks fully operable pedals

The City of Petoskey
Emmet County, Michigan

07/26/2026

This section of rail corridor has been unused since around 2006 and the state has been trying to acquire it for many years. It stretches south from Lowell to Elmdale and borders the Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan/Kent County Youth Fair. Another section runs between Jackson St and Montcalm Ave east of Lowell.