It might be winter, but you still belong out here! Winter is one of our favorite seasons to enjoy Grand Rapids’ amazing parks. All you need is a little creativity (and some thick socks).
1. Go on a Bird Hike at Mackay Jaycees Park
Bird hikes are one of our favorite ways to appreciate the natural world. Our conservation team has spotted a lot of birds in Mackay Jaycees Park this winter season, including a beautiful flock of cedar wax wings! If you’ve never birded before, we suggest checking out a birding field guide from the library to help identify different species. A pair of binoculars can also be helpful!
2. Look for Animal Tracks
Look for animal tracks and try to identify them! Our parks are full of wildlife and winter is a great time to learn to identify their footprints. This handy guide outlines common tracks in different Michigan habitats.
3. Cross Country Ski at Aman Park
It requires some gear, but Aman Park is a great spot if you like cross country skiing. Explore Aman Park’s winding trails, majestic trees, and invasive-free habitat.
4. Sled at Highland Park or Richmond Park
The hills at Richmond Park and Highland Park are legendary for a reason! They’re some of our favorite places to sled, but Grand Rapids has plenty of excellent sledding spots.
5. Make a Snowman at Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park’s beautiful grove of trees are stunning in the winter—and the perfect place to make a family of snow people. Grab your snow pants and see who can make the biggest snowball.
6. Ride Bikes at Bike Park
We love winter biking and Bike Park’s trails make winter park exploration a blast. If you’re new to winter biking, we recommend riding a bike with textured tires (mountain bikes are perfect); wearing good gloves, covering your ears, and even your mouth if it’s quite cold; and always wearing a helmet.
7. Join a Conservation Work Day
Conservation work doesn’t stop in the winter! In fact, cold weather is the perfect time to remove woody invasive species that threaten our native trees, shrubs, and plants. If you want to help our parks’ forests thrive, join the Friends team for a conservation work day! Shifts are just two hours and take place at different parks around the city.
8. Skip Rocks on the Frozen Pond at Richmond Park
Enjoy life’s simple pleasures: throwing rocks at water. When you’re done skipping rocks, go enjoy Richmond Park’s legendary sledding hill.
9. Take a Hike at Ball Perkins Park
Ball Perkins Park has miles of stunning wooded trails—three of which were built by Friends of Grand Rapids Parks! Enjoy Ball Perkins’ wetlands, scenic overlooks, and rolling hills.
10. Take a Luminary Walk at Luminaria at Huff Park
Mark your calendars—Luminaria returns to Huff Park on February 12, 2026. Stroll Huff Park’s beautiful boardwalk by candlelight and enjoy all that parks have to offer, even when it’s winter. We’ll provide hot cocoa, s’mores, a roaring fire, and great conversation. Our Luminaria events are always free, so we hope you’ll join us!
Enjoy Your Parks, All Year Round
Winter in Michigan is beautiful. We hope this list gives you ideas for getting out and enjoying all our parks have to offer. Friends of Grand Rapids Parks hosts a variety of community events and volunteer opportunities that give people a chance to work and play in nature. If you’re looking for more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, we hope to see you out there!
