Of all the parks I experienced during the last weeks in Kalamazoo, Milham Park was my favorite. At…read more49 acres, it is one of the larger parks and it is bisected by Portage Creek. This means that there are three bridges over the creek and they're beyond lovely. Picnic tables and a pavilion (though it needs some sweeping) that has electricity and water fountains and a playground nearby. There are other playgrounds in the park, connected by walking trails. The bridge nearest the entry and parking lot on East Kilgore was my favorite. A paved path from the parking lot, through the pavilion and over the bridge means that this beauty is also available for folks who are mobility challenged. There is a second entrance at Milham Park Road with another bridge and from there, a view of the neighboring golf course. Love, love, love Milham Park. Well done, Kalamazoo. [Review 11245 overall, 1021 of 2019.]

What? No reviews? Are you KIDDING me? This was my go-to park in the Kalamazoo area for the longest…read moretime and I've been coming here for at least 20 years. I used to love climbing the big pines along the water's edge, all the way to the top, back when I was a young adventure-lover. I'm an old adventure-lover now and I weigh more, so it's been a long time since I've done that. There's plenty of space to walk around here along lots of little streams, there's a small but pretty dam, lots of picnic spots. Milham Park is about equidistant from my house and my husband's work so we meet up there for lunch pretty regularly and watch kids feed the birds. Please be aware of what is and isn't safe for birds to eat and do not bring them bread! There's lots of covered picnic areas and BBQ stations, so it would be a great spot for a work or family get-together, a nice playground area for kids. On my last visit a hula hooper was doing all sorts of awesome tricks and we had the best time watching her. It's kind of the bee's knees, actually.

This campground is perfect for families or solo campers getting away for a couple days or even a…read moreweek or two. Its a big campground, ive met people here that book a year in advance and make it a yearly family reunion. Most campers are couples/ families. Remember to book as soon as possible this place is popular! A campsite is around $50 with electric and dont forget to get a sticker for Michigan state parks, it is required. This price is super reasonable for all you get and its dog friendly! Sites vary in size, but lots of options. The campground is super clean and well maintained (yes, even the bathrooms and showers.) I came across this gem of a campground a few years ago and I have been returning yearly. Van Buren is only about 10 minutes from South Haven so you can enjoy both vibes! They have their own gorgeous beach just a few minutes walk from your campsite and on the way there is a beautiful walk with a big and clean bathhouse right next to the beach and free life vests for all the little kids. Did i mention this campground is dog friendly!? I love bringing my furry family member here. The grounds are calm, quiet and the people are super nice. The staff is never too far away keeping an eye on things. I always feel safe here. There is a daily activity sheet and the campground host is very accessible and they have a little area right before you drive into the camp with information pamphlets and little things to look at. Hiking, biking, dunes, vollyball, beach, dunes & close to south Haven and a beautiful place to chill out at the end of the day at your campsite or RV with a nice fire and good friends. Van Buren Campground exceeded all my expectations and I hope it does the same for you.

Great beach for rock hunting fossils and colorful stones, especially lightening stones. Water is…read morecrystal clear!

What an amazing park. I'd say it's a hidden gem but lots of people hang out here & parking can be…read morehard to find on a nice day! The water is shallow so it's much warmer than most Michigan beaches and you can enjoy the water. It's clean and everyone tends to pick up after themselves. There's a great playground next to the parking lot but be prepared for some extensive stairs on your way down to the beach. If needed, there are built in benches along the way. But don't be like some people we saw trying to carry wagons full of beach items lol

I have two yellow labs who love to swim and it's hard to find places for the them to go swimming…read more We tried it out, perfect place to go. Be careful though a lot of steps to the water. Definitely worth it.

The unique and fragile ecosystem located in this park is even more amazing when you consider it's…read moreat the heart of the city of Portage. Some of the first stops along the sanctuary's trail are viewing platforms overlooking a marshy area, which, though enjoyable, still require you to press on to reach the five-star attraction -- a wetland bog featuring carnivorous pitcher plants, sphagnum moss, and tamarack trees. You will have to walk awhile on paths through the woods before you reach the actual bog, which must be traversed on a floating boardwalk. Choose to wear shoes that will keep your feet dry. (At certain times of the year the boardwalk may even be flooded and inaccessible.) Mosquito spray and drinking water are also must-haves. Autumn is a particularly beautiful time to visit; the colors are spectacular. The trek ends with a glorious view of West Lake. You can sit on benches on the viewing platform before the trip back to the parking lot. Your wetland adventure will take 45 minutes or more depending on your pace and frequency of stops. Also, beware of poison sumac growing along the trail through the bog; the risk of getting a rash is a great deterrent to picking any pretty plants along the way.

Yet another Portage Park that has elevated walkways over the bogs. Be aware both that when you walk…read moreover these rubber walkways, water will squirt up through the holes so you're likely to get damp (not a huge deal on a hot summer day, but pretty intense when you're going on a run in the late fall or early spring). Also, despite being a fairly neutral looking gray, these elevated walkways get incredibly hot. I noticed my chihuahua was lifting his paws so I reached down and touch the surface and it was scalding, so we carried the dogs for those stretches of the paths. We saw lots of butterflies, birds and a gorgeous turtle on our recent visit. Our cousin had a hard time finding the geocaches that were supposed to be on our route, though. There's a beautiful West Lake view at the end of one of the elevated platforms and lots of yummy wild blackberries to forage if you happen to be at the park in early July. We're always on the hunt for great spots to take our dogs for a nice afternoon hike, and this will be becoming one of our go-to spots.

Fair warning -- many of the paths here run on the muddy side (including some of the raised paths…read moreover the bog that have holes in them that let water through). There is lots of lovely hiking to be done here, though ... And because the area tends to be damp it's a great place to spot cool plants and fungi. Recent, an elevated path was added that connects this park and neighboring Elliason. We're loving all the work the city has done to connect it's natural spaces.

Beautiful park with excellent hiking trails. Wear hiking boots if you're planning on walking bog…read moretrail!

This place is great for hiking and meeting up with friends! I really enjoy all the flora & River.read more

The Black River Preserve is truly a spectacular place. The location of the preserve, along the…read moreLake Michigan coastal area, makes it a premier migratory songbird stopover. There is also great biological diversity ranging from poplars and redbud trees to hemlocks and birch trees. The Preserve encompasses 120 acres of rolling forest, meadows, and scenic tributary ravines. The trails are all marked and offer easy-to-difficult hiking options. We spent a Sunday afternoon in October walking through this magical preserve. The Mainstem Trail is the most direct route through the preserve. We traversed slops of the north and middle ravine and crossed streams along the way. We stopped at the "quiet spot" bridge and closed our eyes and just listened to the peaceful sounds of nature. The Black River Preserve is located on 8th Ave. in South Haven. There is a gravel park lot and a trail map posted at the trail head. If you are looking for a place to go for nature and a quiet atmosphere, be sure to check out the Black River Preserve.

This is one of the best times of the year to get out on the lakes in Portage, and with the sunshine…read morewe're expecting on Friday it's a good time to get your kayak ready. While the water is still absolutely frigid, it's a great time to glimpse some beautiful migrating waterfowl. I've seen mergansers, loons, and all maker of unique ducks that typically only stay for a week or two in the spring and fall and right now seems to be the season for them. You can also catch the occasional baldy here. And if you're real brave and don't mind spider webs, you can kayak underneath Portage road and go from Austin Lake over to West Lake. It's super peaceful this time of year before everybody gets there ski boats out on the water.

I came for a quick hike on an icy cold afternoon with my friend. The Park is composed of a…read moreHistorical Area, hiking trails and a kayak launch into the creek. In May, the Park was hit by a tornado that destroyed many of the trees and damaged several structures. It is amazing how Mother Mature can change the face of the land so quickly. The Park is named Celery Flats, because the region has been popular for growing celery with its sandy soil. The Historic Area of the Park is decorated for the holidays with trees and lights. Historic buildings include a grain elevator, a one room school house and Stuart Manor. Stuart Manor as moved to the park in 1994 and was one of the first homes built in Portage. Hayloft Theater is a restored barn turned theater. The barn was damaged by the tornado and is awaiting repair. There is also an amphitheater in the Park that is perfect for summer concerts. The buildings were not open for touring during our visit, but they appear to be open during events. The Historic Area is a perfect place to bring the kids to learn about history. The hiking trail through the Park is part of the trail system that meanders through Portage and Kalamazoo. There are picturesque bridges along the trail with a canoe/kayak launch over Portage Creek. The trails are a perfect place to watch birds. We saw a flock of mallards in the creek during our visit. The trail offered something I had not seen before. There was a solar phone charging station near a bench for those who need to stay connected. The Park has a really nice pavilion that was decorated for Christmas. I could see this as a perfect place to take family pictures or visit with Santa. The parking lot is large with handicapped spaces close to the pavilion. The trails are paved and easily accessible. I will return to see how the forest recovers from the tornado. The Park has a lot to offer.

This is a very popular spot, very clean and beautiful it was recommended by a friend when we asked…read morewhat's a good walking trail. We are from Battle Creek and she told us this spot county zoo.