A rail line that once carried passengers and freight between Cincinnati and northern Michigan from 1867 to 1984 has been reborn as Michigan's longest paved trail. The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park stretches 92 miles from Comstock Park, just outside Grand Rapids, up to Cadillac, cutting through five counties and 15 towns — and it only became fully paved in 2025. That makes it the third-longest paved trail in the United States and Michigan's longest linear state park.
The surface upgrade matters for a practical reason: the trail is now smooth enough for road bikes, skating, wheelchairs and strollers along its entire length, and it's ADA-accessible throughout. In warm months it's a walking, cycling and skating route; come winter, it switches to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and — between December 1 and March 31 — snowmobiles between the Cadillac and Russell Road trailheads.
The ride itself is quietly scenic rather than dramatic. White pines, Michigan's state tree, still tower over the northern sections, mixed with aspen and maple that turn vivid in autumn. Fourteen open-deck bridges cross rivers along the way. Near Rockford, the Rogue River bridge has an overlook of the dam — a solid picnic spot — while the Muskegon River bridge at Big Rapids runs 319 feet and connects to the town's Riverwalk, lined with public art. Birders get good value too: swans, great blue herons and sandhill cranes patrol the river corridors, and the wetlands near Cadillac hide beaver lodges.
Most cyclists split the trail over two days, with Big Rapids a natural halfway overnight stop. Camping directly on the trail isn't permitted, but options nearby include Country Inn & Suites in Big Rapids or the cabins at Paris, right beside the Muskegon River. Head north and you'll face a sneaky gradual climb toward Cadillac despite the flat-looking terrain, so some riders prefer to start in Cadillac and coast south toward Grand Rapids. Trailheads and parking appear at regular intervals — Cadillac's is especially well equipped with repair stations, bike racks, picnic tables and restrooms — so day-trippers can easily sample a section. If you want to do the whole thing one-way, there's no regular shuttle, though Bike Tour Vacations has previously arranged transport between Comstock Park and Cadillac.
Why it's worth your attention: this is one of the Midwest's best low-effort, high-reward cycling trips. It's family-friendly, dog-friendly (on a leash), flat enough for casual riders, and strings together small Michigan towns with beer-city Grand Rapids at one end. If you have extra time, Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling, north of Cadillac, protects some of the old-growth pines that once covered the region — a fitting add-on to the ride.
