Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail

This featured hike is a loop style trail and is mostly wheelchair accessible. Starting at the pavilion, pick up the trail heading south on the east side of the road off the traffic circle. The trail will wind through restored dune habitat. After approximately a half a mile, the trail will cross the road and head back north along the Burns Waterway. At roughly the one-mile mark, the trail will turn right heading past the pavilion entrance and down to the breakwater. Take the breakwater out to the end to enjoy the splendor of Lake Michigan. Lastly, take the breakwater back to the pavilion. This popular location is a great place to view the ever-changing seasons along Lake Michigan and watch dramatic weather and clouds build over the lake. It's an easy location to watch for migrating birds in the spring and summer and observe shelf ice that forms along the beach edge in the winter. Visitors can enjoy easy access to the lakefront and beach, trails that highlight dune succession, an accessible fishing pier and a restored 900-foot breakwater. A 3,500 square foot public pavilion includes restrooms, a seasonal snack bar and a glass walled classroom/meeting space. - Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. - Open daily at all times for those actively involved in fishing. - Free (no entrance or parking fees). - Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed. - Trail is wheelchair accessible. - Trail surface is paved. - There are year-round restrooms and potable water in the pavilion. - There are three paved parking lots with a total of 125 spots. - During the busy summer season, the parking lots are often full by mid-morning. - Pets are permitted on a leash (6' or shorter) with the exception of inside the pavilion. - Stay on the trail to protect the wildlife and yourself.