Things to do in Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo County: The Best Nature & Parks

March 6, 2022 Brandee Mangan

Discover the best top things to do in Kalamazoo County, United States including Lakeview Park, Lillian Anderson Arboretum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Markin Glen County Park, W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Milham Park, Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, Al Sabo Preserve, Bishop’s Bog Preserve Trail, Fort Custer Recreation Area.
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1. Lakeview Park

9345 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002-6427
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Lakeview Park

2. Lillian Anderson Arboretum

West Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 +1 269-337-7000 http://reason.kzoo.edu/arboretum/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Lillian Anderson Arboretum

3. Kalamazoo Nature Center

7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009-6309 +1 269-381-1574 http://www.naturecenter.org
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 164 reviews

Kalamazoo Nature Center

Reviewed By ChrisL872 - Niles, United States

We were blessed with a beautiful fall day to get introduced to this wonderful site. A large variety of trails (would recommend #6) and the trails are well maintained and even the ones classified as difficult can be hiked with a bit of determination. The visitor center is also worth visiting, especially if you have children with you. The gift shop is quite good, especially the selection of books. Do considered visiting both sides of the center. The other side is more rustic, but one section along the wetlands has magnificent hardwood trees that reach to the sky. Only recommendation is that you watch the map carefully as sometimes it seems the signage along the trails don't match exactly with the map. Bring a compass to help. There is an admission, but the price is well worth the experience you'll discover.

4. Markin Glen County Park

5300 North Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI +1 269-381-7570 http://www.kalcounty.com/parks/markinglen/index.html
Excellent
50%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Markin Glen County Park

Reviewed By yogamoe

Great campground, very clean and it is nice to be able to walk around lake. It is close to everything in Kalamazoo.

5. W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

12685 E C Ave, Augusta, MI 49012-9707 +1 269-671-2510 [email protected] http://birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu/
Excellent
53%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary was founded in 1927 and is an important stopover for migrating birds, especially waterfowl. The Sanctuary has 180 acres of trails, fields, forests, and lake habitat, and hosts many programs and events throughout the year. The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and through research, education, and outreach help people gain environmental awareness about our past, present and future.

Reviewed By 854kayg - Swartz Creek, United States

We went in the morning so it was still chilly we only saw the pond because it was so cold that morning but I loved feeding the swans and geese and ducks there is a trail that takes you to see more birds 1 dollar for a bucket of corn to feed the birds really a good deal 5 dollars for admission per person definitely worth it .plan on coming back when warmer when we can actually enjoy the walk to see the animals.

6. Milham Park

607 E. Kilgore, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 +1 269-337-8191 http://www.kalamazoocity.org/all-parks/109-milham-park
Excellent
53%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 55 reviews

Milham Park

7. Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Kalamazoo County Park, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 http://www.kalcounty.com/parks/krvt/index.html
Excellent
72%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

Reviewed By DeputyDe - Kalamazoo, United States

The north part of this trail is very challenging to one and all....but especially to bikers!! Very very hilly and curvy. After you get through that it is pretty straight with just a couple surprise hills here and there!! This trail is paved and has a divided line painted on it. It goes past the Kalamazoo Nature Center and Markin Glen County Park!!

8. Al Sabo Preserve

6310 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009-9702
Excellent
73%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 30 reviews

Al Sabo Preserve

Reviewed By Maps18908999547

visiting our daughter on the west coast of Michigan we took a hike through the trails. It's a casual and well-maintained trail and a great spot for a fall hike. The park was particularly busy, but the weather was perfect and I would expect nothing less on a day like that.

9. Bishop’s Bog Preserve Trail

9920 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002-6857
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Bishop’s Bog Preserve Trail

Reviewed By S6778PKbobh

This bog was one of the noteworthy sites in Clarence and Florence Hanes's "Flora of Kalamazoo County" (1947). It's a beautiful place that harbors the rare orange fringed orchid, at least three kind of carnivorous plant (northern pitcher plant and two species of sundew), pink ladyslipper orchids, and more. I've walked the boardwalk for many years--and yes, when the bog is saturated, you'll get wet feet and probably wet pants from getting squirted, as others have noted. In drier periods you won't have that problem, but wear water shoes and shorts when the place is waterlogged. After all, it's a *wet*land. Don't let a little water stop you from enjoying this little gem while you still can. It is being invaded on the east side by dense stands of glossy buckthorn, and I have noticed significant changes since I first began visiting there fifteen or twenty years ago. Last time I was there, two years ago,* the trail was overgrown and appeared not to have been maintained. But I just read a more current and hopeful writeup here from this year, so hopefully my last experience was just a fluke, not a sign of disinvestment by the City of Portage. This bog is unique, and it deserves to be fought for, not surrendered to invasive species. __________ * The question below, "When did you visit?" doesn't provide an adequate date range. So, sorry, I lied. My last visit was in August 2018.

10. Fort Custer Recreation Area

5163 Fort Custer Dr, Augusta, MI 49012-9618 +1 269-731-4200 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx
Excellent
52%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 90 reviews

Fort Custer Recreation Area

Reviewed By 270mindied

We love Fort Custer not only for the opportunity to spend time in nature, which do many times a year on the trails and waterways, but also for the camping. We have been camping here every October for the Fall Festival (Halloween Camping) weekend for the last 9 years. The bathrooms are modern and there are nice showers. The sites for the most part are big and private with vegetation between you and the next site. There are a few spots that aren't ideal, so make sure you check site photos and descriptions when you book so you don't end up with one. Our kids love to head over to the playground to make new friends. Our kids look forward to our annual October camping trip because of all the great activities on this special weekend. There is a hot dog mixer Friday night. On Saturday there are kid's activities, hay rides, costume contest/parade, and tick or treating at over 200 campsites. People decorate and it is such a great weekend. There is a DJ dance party Saturday night that the kids love to go to. You have to book EARLY to get a spot for that weekend, but so worth it. During the summer months a trip to the beach area at the lake is always a good.

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