Michigan Trails Magazine 2020 • www.MiTrails.org • ©2020 Rockford Advertising. All rights reserved.

William

Field M

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tagu

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Hart

Shelby

Rothbury

Whitehall

Montague

Lakewood Club

New Era

Mears

Fred Meijer

Berry Junction TrailW

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67

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1

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31

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Hayes

Ocean

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TylerTyler

Baseline

Polk

Buchanan

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4th

Taylor

1st St

Shelby

Hayes

64th Grant

Baker

Garfield Rd

Walsh

Wat

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ArthurArthur

Cleveland

Winston

WilkeWilke

Winston

McKinley

Skeets

Meinert Park

Fruitvale

Alice

Colby

Eilers

Old Channel Trail

Post Stanton Blvd

White Lake

Benston Rd

Hancock

Webster

Michilinda Rd

72nd

Ocean

a Dr

1st St

72nd

Ocean

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Water R

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144th A

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White Lake Dr

Stap

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Ocean

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Loop Rd

Lake

St

White Lake

Lakewood

56th

Stony Lake

Hayes

Ocean

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Trails Legend

Paved TrailConnector RoutePlanned TrailHighwaysRoads

William Field Memorial Hart-Montague TrailMichigan’s first paved rail trail, the 22-mile William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2016. The new asphalt surface was widened to 10 feet and several of the bridges, road crossings and other infrastructure were rebuilt to meet new federal ADA standards.

The name of the trail was also updated to honor the late William Field, a local asparagus and cherry farmer who was the unstoppable force behind the creation of the trail.

Originally part of the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad, the rail corridor was built in 1872 to connect Pentwater to Grand Rapids. In 1982, William Field led an effort to convert the defunct C&O Railroad line into a recreational trail. After facing local opposition, he spent $175,000 of his own money to purchase the 22-mile strip of land between Hart and Montague, and then

donated it to the Michigan DNR for use as a linear state park. His determination finally paid off, and in 1989, the first 11 miles of the trail was opened for the enjoyment of all.

This classic American rail trail travels by cherry and apple orchards, picture-postcard farms, woodlands and waterways, connecting John Gurney Park in Hart to the twin cities of Montague and Whitehall. Along the way, you’ll see vast clusters of wildflowers, flowing fields of asparagus, historic train depots and inviting ice cream stands.

You’ll find camping and lodging at both ends of the trail and restaurants and stores in all of the small towns along the way.

©2020 Rockford Advertising. All rights reserved.

0 3 61.5

Miles

0 3 6 9 121.5

Miles

Access Site Parking Restrooms Water

1 John Gurney Park Yes Yes Yes

2 Hart Trailhead Yes Yes Yes

3 Shelby Staging Area Yes Yes Yes

4 New Era Staging Area Yes Yes No

5 Rothbury Trailhead Yes Yes Yes

6 Montague Trailhead Yes Yes Yes

7 Covell Park Yes Yes No

William Field Hart-Montague Trail Access

Trail founder, the late Bill Field (left).

Ph

oto

Co

urt

esy

of

Mar

jori

e Pe

ters

on

On the trail between Shelby and New Era.