A Walk in the Park is an ongoing series from State Journal photographer Nick King, who intends to explore Lansing area parks one hour at a time. If you have a suggestion of a park he should visit, email him at nking@lsj.com.
Sanford Natural Area on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing is the perfect place to take a more rugged hike along the Red Cedar River and through thick, peaceful woods.
The 34-acre park features a canopy of diverse, mature and juvenile trees including sugar maple and beech trees. The main trail loop is about 1.5 miles with plenty of secondary offshoot trails to explore. In addition to the forest, there’s plenty of wildlife including deer and other small mammals and it’s a prime location for bird watching.
Sanford Natural Area is the perfect setting for a nature walk. The dirt trails are wide enough to traverse comfortably and are well maintained. The trail is rugged in places and guests may have to stop over fallen trees or trek through muddy spots while traveling. The trail is peaceful, especially because of the lack of city noise and foliage so thick at times that light has a hard time breaking through.
The Red Cedar River runs the entire length of the north side of the park. The trail follows along the river’s path offering beautiful water views and river access points along the way.
The park is bordered by Bogue Street, Van Hoosen and Owen halls to the west, Hagadorn Road to the east, resident halls McDonel and Holmes to the south off Shaw Lane and by the Red Cedar River to the north.
There are entrances behind Van Hoosen and McDonel halls and one on Hagadorn Road. The closest parking options are at Ramp 1, east of the Abrams Planetarium, or Ramp 3 near the Wharton Center. You can also ride your bike there by talking the Lansing River Trail to the MSU campus.
The park is open from dusk until dawn. There are no bathrooms on site and leashed dogs are welcomed; watch out for mosquitoes and ticks.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Sanford Natural Area at Michigan State offers trails along Red Cedar River, woods
Reporting by Nick King, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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