Hart–Montague Trail State Park

William Field Memorial Hart–Montague Trail State Park, previously and more commonly known as Hart–Montague Trail State Park, is a linear state park in Michigan that consists of a bicycle trail running from the city of Montague in Muskegon County to the city of Hart in Oceana County. Recognizing its potential, Bill Field of Shelby purchased the former railroad and donated it for trail use to the State of Michigan.[1] Opened in 1991 and officially adopted as a Rails to Trails park in 1996, it was one of the first "Rails to Trails" projects in the State of Michigan. Its success paved the way for more trails throughout the state and Midwest. The trail's total length was previously 22 miles (35 km); however continuous expansions have increased that length in recent years with the hope of linking it to other trails throughout Western Michigan. A number of local businesses, such as restaurants and ice cream parlors, in the towns along the trail have posted small, discreet signage near the trail to attract cycling visitors who might not otherwise ever notice the little shops in the intervening small municipalities.[2] A whimsically themed ice cream/dairy bar in New Era, roughly halfway along the trail, is often mentioned by trail visitors, although there are also a number of others spread along the trail. There is a bicycle rental shop on Thompson St in Montague in the south, a repair shop right off the trail in Mears as well as another rental shop on Silver Lake Rd in Mears several miles away from the northern section of the trail.

William Field Memorial Hart–Montague Trail State Park
Location within the state of Michigan
LocationLower Peninsula, Muskegon County, Oceana County, Michigan USA
Nearest cityNew Era, Michigan
Coordinates43.55°N 86.342778°W / 43.55; -86.342778
Established1991
Governing body
Length22 mi (35 km)
TrailheadsHart, Michigan
Montague, Michigan
UseCycling, Hiking, Snow-mobiling, XC skiing
Trail difficultyEasy
SeasonAll
WebsiteOfficial site

Waypoints

Waypoints for the Hart–Montague Trail.[3] ↑ in the Distance column points to the other waypoint that the distance is between.

LocationServicesDistance
(approx.)		Coordinates
Hart, MichiganParking, Restroom43°41′21″N 86°22′22″W
Mears, Michigan↑ 2.5 miles (4.0 km)43°40′39″N 86°25′07″W
Shelby, MichiganDrinking Fountain, Parking, Restroom↑ 5.3 miles (8.5 km)43°36′42″N 86°21′54″W
New Era, MichiganDrinking Fountain, Parking, Restroom↑ 3.8 miles (6.1 km)43°33′35″N 86°20′42″W
Rothbury, MichiganDrinking Fountain, Restroom↑ 3.9 miles (6.3 km)43°30′12″N 86°20′40″W
Montague, MichiganDrinking Fountain, Parking, Restroom↑ 6 miles (10 km)43°25′01″N 86°21′10″W

References
  1. Hart–Montague trail to be renamed for the late William Field, trail advocate
  2. "Hart–Montague Trail State Park, Michigan - A1 Trails". Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
  3. Hart–Montague Bicycle Trail State Park Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (Free registration required to view map)
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