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Helmstrom Family Loop Trail

The Helmstrom Family Loop Trail at Stearns Creek Park in Grand Haven, Michigan is an easy 0.6-mile loop trail that features a peaceful walk through the woods.

This trail encompasses the central-most part of the park and gives hikers access to the eastern loop in the park as well (not shown in this GPS track). The trail also includes several benches along the way so hikers can take breaks.

This trail is named after the heirs of John J. Helstrom who donated about $60,000 to help the construction of the Stearns Creek Park.

Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed and their waste must be carried out by the hiker.

About the Trail System
The Stearns Creek Park trail system was opened summer 2019 and is maintained and administered by the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission. It features 1.7 miles of easily-hiked trails, robust way-finding signage, and benches & picnic tables.

This trail fits into the plan of various parks & rec organizations across the State of Michigan to preserve valuable natural land and create a walkable greenway from the source of the Grand River in Jackson, MI, to the mouth at the City of Grand Haven, MI.

A former pine plantation, it is one of few spaces in the state where it is possible to make an attempt to restore the native Oak savannas that dominated many parts of the state before extensive development within the state and harvesting of timber to rebuild Chicago after the Great Fire.

Features and Amenities
  • Hiking trails, some boardwalks
  • Waterway overlooks
  • Kayak access
  • Historical signs and artifacts
  • Benches
  • Picnic tables
  • Port-a-let
  • Leashed dogs permitted
  • No hunting of any kind permitted
Explore 16 trails near Grand Haven, MI

Know Before You Go

  • Helmstrom Family Loop Trail is an easy, 0.6-mile loop in Grand Haven's Stearns Creek Park, suitable for a peaceful walk in the woods.
  • The trail features benches, connects to other park trails, and is part of a larger initiative to preserve natural land and create a walkable greenway across Michigan.
  • Stearns Creek Park offers amenities like waterway overlooks, kayak access, picnic tables, and allows leashed dogs, contributing to the restoration of native Oak savannas.
Interactive topographic map for Helmstrom Family Loop Trail located in Grand Haven, MI. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
0.6 mi
Difficulty
Easy
Type
Loop
Est. Time
18 min
Elev. Gain
23'
Rating
0.0
Added
January 15, 2020
Updated
January 25, 2024

Weather Forecast

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Total Change
19'
Ascent
23'
Descent
32'
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Features

Dogs

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    43.01581, -86.123607
  2. Main Trailhead

    43.01581, -86.123607
  3. Point-of-Interest

    43.016156, -86.122903
    Point-of-Interest
  4. Old fence

    43.015983, -86.121264
    Old fence

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

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