The Grand River and Ionia State Recreation Area

The Grand River is Michigan’s longest river. It winds right through Ionia County, past Portland, Ionia, and Saranac. It’s a draw for paddling and fishing. Just southwest of the city sits the Ionia State Recreation Area. It protects about 4,500 acres of rolling hills, woods, and wetlands along the river. At its center is Sessions Lake, good for fishing, paddling, and swimming. The park also has a modern campground, cabins, and miles of hiking and mountain-bike trails. There’s a 24-hole disc golf course, too. And it holds the largest state-park horse-trail campground in Michigan.

You can also follow the Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Trail. It’s a paved rail-trail that runs between Ionia and Saranac. It crosses the Grand River along the way. The trail is part of the bigger Fred Meijer trail network across the region.

For a county this size, it’s a lot of outdoor space close to home. The Ionia State Recreation Area requires a Michigan Recreation Passport for entry.