Van Buren Trail State Park

The Van Buren Trail State Park is a 14-mile linear, multi-use trail that links the cities of Hartford with South Haven. The trail runs through open farmland, blueberry fields, dense brush, and wooded areas. The surface of the trail creates a challenging ride that is more suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling.

There is parking at the Hartford trailhead, but there is currently no DNR-established trailhead in South Haven. Visitors can use the South Haven City lot at the corner of Huron and Kalamazoo Streets and follow the marked road route to the trail. Parking is also available at Van Buren State Park to access the trail via the Van Buren Trail Spur. A Recreation Passport is required for motor vehicles entering Van Buren State Park.

The Van Buren Trail Spur, opened in 2015, is a 4.5 mile paved trail connecting the Van Buren State Park to the City of South Haven.

The Van Buren Trail merges with the Van Buren Trail Spur near 16th Avenue. Heading north from this junction, the trail surface is paved to Maple Street. The City of South Haven does not have accommodations for horses, horse trailers, snowmobiles beyond the junction and does not allow horseback riding or snowmobiling on the trail within the city limits.