Hart–Montague Trail State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Field Memorial Hart–Montague Trail State Park
William Field Memorial Hart–Montague Trail State Park Location in Michigan
Location	Lower Peninsula, Muskegon County, Oceana County, Michigan USA
Nearest city	New Era, Michigan
Established	1991
Governing body	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Length	22 mi (35 km)
Trailheads	Hart, Michigan Montague, Michigan
Use	Cycling, Hiking, Snow-mobiling, XC skiing
Difficulty	Easy
Season	All
Website	Official site: http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=452&type=SPRK

The William Field Memorial Hart–Montague Trail State Park is a special kind of park in Michigan. It's a "linear" park, which means it's long and narrow, like a line. This park is actually a fun trail for biking, hiking, and even snowmobiling in winter!

The trail stretches from the city of Montague in Muskegon County all the way to Hart in Oceana County. It was once a railroad line. A kind person named Bill Field bought the old railroad land. He then gave it to the State of Michigan so it could become a trail for everyone to enjoy.

The park opened in 1991. In 1996, it became an official "Rails to Trails" park. This means an old railroad line was turned into a public trail. The Hart–Montague Trail was one of the very first projects like this in Michigan. Its success helped create many more trails across Michigan and the Midwest.

The trail is about 22 miles long. But it keeps growing! There are plans to connect it to other trails in Western Michigan. Along the trail, you'll find small towns with local shops. Many restaurants and ice cream parlors have signs to welcome visitors. A popular ice cream spot in New Era is about halfway along the trail. You can also find bike rental and repair shops in towns like Montague and Mears.

Exploring the Hart–Montague Trail

The Hart–Montague Trail is a great place for outdoor fun. It's easy to use for all ages and skill levels. You can enjoy it during any season of the year.

Activities on the Trail

The trail offers many activities depending on the season.

• Biking: It's a smooth path perfect for bicycles.
• Hiking: You can walk or run along the scenic route.
• Snowmobiling: In winter, the trail is open for snowmobiles.
• Cross-country skiing: When there's enough snow, you can also ski.

Stops Along the Trail

As you travel the Hart–Montague Trail, you'll pass through several towns. These towns offer services like parking, restrooms, and places to get a drink. Here are some of the main stops: