Saginaw Valley, Michigan
Bay City sits where the Saginaw River meets Saginaw Bay: a paved riverwalk through a long waterfront park, and, at the edge of town, a state park of coastal wetland, beach and a visitor centre on the marsh.
Photo: Coastal wetland on Saginaw Bay at Bay City, Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Bay City grew on both banks of the Saginaw River, just before the river opens into Saginaw Bay. Official city pages say the Parks Division looks after 238 acres and 25 park areas, plus 10 miles of Railtrail and Riverwalk. The Riverwalk is a paved path along the river through Veterans Memorial Park, Kantzler Memorial Arboretum and Fitness Park, with a gazebo on a pier and a 1993 footbridge over to Bigelow Park.
At the edge of town, Bay City State Park occupies more than 2,000 acres on the bay, including Tobico Marsh, one of the largest remaining freshwater coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, more than 1,000 feet of sandy beach, and the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
A paved path along the Saginaw River, official city pages say, through Veterans Memorial Park, Kantzler Memorial Arboretum and Fitness Park, built for walkers, cyclists and roller-bladers. A pier with a large gazebo extends into the river, and a pedestrian bridge built in 1993 connects the walk to Bigelow Park.
A 10-mile looping trail of asphalt and cement. Official city pages say the Railtrail follows a former railroad right-of-way around the east side of Bay City and along the west bank of the Saginaw River, and that the loop connects or passes near Maplewood Park, Carroll Park, Bigelow Park, Ted Putz Nature Area, the Riverwalk, Veterans Memorial Park, Defoe Park and Infinity Skate Park.
The city's central riverfront park, official pages say, about 97 acres, roughly 1.2 miles long, along John F. Kennedy Drive. It includes Liberty Harbor Marina, ball fields, Kantzler Memorial Arboretum, Fitness Park, the Riverwalk and a hard-surfaced boat launch. No overnight parking or camping is permitted.
A 12-acre riverfront arboretum, a sub-area of Veterans Memorial Park, with plantings maintained by civic and private organizations. Official pages describe the Davidson Dry Dock, a 500-foot inlet once used for shipbuilding, and a pedestrian bridge at its mouth that joins the Riverwalk. Official hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Season Official hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (check before you go).
A 9-acre park at the north end of Middleground Island, reached by a footbridge from Veterans Memorial Park and the Riverwalk. Official pages say the land was donated in 1929 by Charles Bigelow and developed as a park in 1991. There is a playground, a pavilion and a fishing pier. Official hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. No overnight parking or camping is permitted. The pavilion generally has no running water from 1 October to 1 June.
Season Official hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The pavilion generally has no running water from 1 October to 1 June (check before you go).
A 4-acre park on the west bank of the Saginaw River at Ivy Avenue, in the Salzburg Business District. Official pages describe a boardwalk overlooking wetlands along the river floodplain, with picnic tables and fishing. No overnight parking or camping is permitted.
A state park at 3582 State Park Drive, on the shore of Saginaw Bay, with more than 2,000 acres of wetland, woods and prairie, more than 1,000 feet of sandy beach, miles of trails, and the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center. Official pages describe it as a staging area for migratory birds in spring and fall. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. The modern campground is closed through early July 2027 for utility and road work.
Season A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. Official pages say the modern campground is closed through early July 2027 for utility and road work (check before you go).
One of the largest remaining freshwater coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, inside Bay City State Park. Official pages describe observation towers, a boardwalk, viewing platforms and shoreline spotting scopes. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Season Inside the state park. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry (check before you go).
A lagoon inside the marsh at Bay City State Park, with a fishing pier and a seasonal floating dock, official DNR pages say. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Season Official pages describe a fishing pier and a seasonal floating dock. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry (check before you go).
A buoyed swim beach on Saginaw Bay, which official pages note is part of Lake Huron. There is an accessible beach mat and a coastal boardwalk in the swim area, and a beach wheelchair is available free of charge. A beach house has restrooms, changing rooms and an outdoor shower. Pets are allowed along the Lake Huron shoreline other than the buoyed swim area, on a 6-foot leash. Official pages also warn that Great Lakes beaches have dangerous currents. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Season A buoyed swim beach on Saginaw Bay. Confirm current beach and water conditions before you go. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
A Bay County park on Saginaw Bay in northeastern Bay County, official county pages say, with a sandy beach, boardwalks and trails, observation towers and decks, and a boat launch. The park office is listed as open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round, closed 25 December and 1 January. Confirm current access and any camping rules before you go.
Season Official pages listed the park office as open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round, closed 25 December and 1 January (check before you go).
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
An official DNR visitor centre at Bay City State Park, described as an award-winning gateway to the park's coastal wetlands, with interactive exhibits on Tobico Marsh, wildlife viewing, a gift shop and educational programs. Official pages say to start your park visit here. Confirm current hours before you go. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Season Confirm current hours before you go. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
A public marina just north of Veterans Memorial Bridge, official city pages say, listed as one of 80 Michigan DNR-certified harbors. Facilities include a 99-berth marina, a concession building and a parking lot, with restrooms, showers and picnic tables. Confirm current hours and berth availability before you go.
Season Confirm current hours and berth availability before you go.
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
The official visitor centre at Bay City State Park, with exhibits on Tobico Marsh, wildlife viewing and educational programs. Official pages say to start your park visit here. Confirm current hours before you go. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Season Confirm current hours before you go. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Part of our Frankenmuth and Bay City guides.
Photo: Coastal wetland on Saginaw Bay at Bay City, Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Tobico Marsh in winter, on Saginaw Bay, Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Lily pads on the water at Tobico Marsh, Asher196, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: A bascule bridge opening for tall ships on the Saginaw River, Joanna Poe, CC BY-SA 2.0
