Get Out is Your Monthly Guide to What’s Great in the Great Outdoors.
I’m not going to tell you that I always choose my group hike locations based on whether they have nice restrooms, but it certainly is a factor. Especially if it’s a longer hike or an all-day event. I mean, thanks for the porta-potty and all, but as a bunch of women mostly over 50, we have certain expectations. I can hear Eva Gabor in my head singing, “Darling I love you but give me Park Avenue.”
If you have no idea what I’m talking about with that reference, that’s okay. The point is that both of the trails at Grand Ravines in Jenison have super-posh loos (by relative standards) and we appreciate it. (Though I can’t guarantee they’re always open, so keep that in mind!)
The location at 3991 Fillmore is the Grand Ravines Dog Park entrance, and while it’s a great place to take your pup out to burn off some energy and have a play date with other canines, it also has several hiking and walking options as part of the South Loop.
This route takes you through mixed terrain with paved and unpaved pathways and a blend of prairie, forest, and river frontage depending on which way you turn. There’s also a sweeping ADA-accessible suspension bridge that’s an ideal vantage point for taking in views of the deep cut ravines and the varied trees towering above. It doesn’t matter what time of year you go; it’s always pretty.
The North County Park portion, which is accessed via 9920 42nd Avenue, is mostly paved and has a more direct way to reach the Grand River. You have to drive a bit down to get to the parking lot, to the point that you’ll think you’ve done something wrong. But just keep going. You’ll see parking at the nature overlook, or drive a bit further to the lodge, which is where those fancy bathrooms are. The lodge is rentable for events, too.
On this path, you’ll be planted directly by the river, and the walkway there is fully paved and easy to traverse. There’s a pic-worthy covered bridge there and also the new-ish treehouse that begs to be checked out. This is a particularly nice trail for nighttime walks, and the moonlight on the water is an added appeal.
Now: if you stay on this path, make a note that you’ll need to turn around, so make a decision about what feels like a good halfway point. If you don’t turn around, you’ll eventually end up at Grand River Park—and very far away from your car. The other option is to hike into the woods right around where the treehouse is. Follow the map and you’ll eventually loop back to where you parked. Each trail has its own charms, but I think the riverwalk is probably the better choice if you’re going after dark.
Arguably, the best part about hiking at either Grand Ravines trail is that Farmhaus Cider is minutes away and the perfect place to relax and refresh after. If I schedule a hike at Grand Ravines there will be an afterparty at Farmhaus. Fall is my favorite time to go there, because they have outdoor firepits burning and the vibe is social and cozy at the same time.
They have a thoughtfully curated selection of food trucks that alternate on different days, or you can bring your own picnic if there isn’t one scheduled that day. As it starts to get colder, they bring out the heated igloos, and you can gather your friends and reserve one for up to eight people. The cost is $15 for a 50-minute time slot, but you can book consecutive sessions for a longer stay.
There’s also year-round indoor seating that doesn’t require a reservation, but it does fill up—especially if the weather is brisk or otherwise unfriendly. Farmhaus is open all year Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (minus certain holidays) and seasonally Wednesdays and Thursdays. They have Trivia Nights on Thursdays, too. Go to farmhauscider.com/visit to see their calendar and find out which food trucks are planned on which days. This is the page where you make igloo reservations as well. They’re at 5025 Stanton St. in Hudsonville. Though it sounds like a whole city away, it’s just a couple miles, so it’s easy to make an afternoon of it!
