Welcome to the Bridge to Bay Trail
The Bridge to Bay Trail is a diverse trail system of boardwalks, riverwalks, rail trails and bike paths that extends along 50 miles of shoreline across St Clair County, Michigan. Experience picturesque views, charming towns, parks and benches, freighter watching and the blue waters of Lake Huron, the St Clair River and Lake St Clair.
What’s Happening
Communities along the Bridge to Bay Trail host annual festivals and events that keep visitors returning every season. Visit the Events Page for information on what’s happening in the local trail towns. For other events in the Thumb, visit the Discover The Blue website.
The new Black River Canal Trail was constructed in 2023. Check out the Trail News Page to learn more.
Getting Started
The Bridge to Bay Trail has an abundance of interesting trails to keep you busy. The Recommended Trips Page will give you all the information you need to plan your next adventure. Check out the Trail Towns Page to explore what each shoreline community has to offer and use the Interactive Map to navigate when you are out on the trail.
Get Involved
Have you recently discovered the Bridge to Bay Trail, or are you a long-time enthusiast? Since the Bridge to Bay’s inception in the early 1990’s, it has been a premier destination on Michigan’s Thumbcoast. Share Your Trail Story and learn how you can Get Involved and Support your trail.
Go for a Stroll…
Marine City’s historic downtown includes numerous parks that are interspersed between unique shopping and dining venues along it’s half-mile riverfront. Visitors enjoy a swimming beach, fishing, boating and scuba diving along the river.
Visit St Clair’s Palmer Park, home of the world’s longest fresh water boardwalk. The boardwalk is about a half-mile long and located adjacent to the downtown shopping and dining district. The grassy park is dotted with trees, colorful gardens and commissioned sculptures. Many of the city’s major events take place in Palmer Park and it is a spectacular location to view freighters up close.
Visit Algonac’s Riverfront Park for spectacular freighter-watching along the 1/2-mile boardwalk on the St. Clair River. In the summer time, this park host numerous events. The park includes a gazebo, benches, boat launch, along with a local historical museum. Local dining and shopping options are right across the street from the park. So grab yourself an ice cream cone and enjoy the riverfront views.
Enjoy a stroll down the 1-mile long Blue Water River Walk located just south of the Black River in Downtown Port Huron. The riverwalk is a 10’ wide asphalt path and includes an observation dock, outdoor classroom, public art, fishing pier, and home to Wetlands County Park. Extending north from the riverwalk is the Great Lake Maritime Center and a seasonal farmers market.
Marysville’s riverfront is a popular outdoor destination with a beach, park and 2.7 acres of living shoreline, where aquatic plants and cobble provide a habitat in which fish can spawn. The riverwalk is about 1-mile long. At the north end of the riverwalk is Marysville City Park and Chrysler Beach where the city hosts numerous events throughout the year. A new splash pad, picnic area, pavilions, playgrounds and recreation area make this a great destination for families.
On a sunny afternoon, the 1-mile long riverwalk will be full of people fishing, running, roller blading, scuba diving, picnicking, and taking pictures with the breath-taking view of the Bluewater Bridge in the background as freighters pass. The riverwalk passes through numerous parks that include benches, gazebos, picnic areas, playground equipment, restrooms, and drinking fountains.
Hop on a Bike…
Enjoy this easy 5-mile ride with family and friends. Park at the Algonac Lions Field Park, then travel 1/2 mile north on Michigan Street to access the off-road trail to the State Park. This segment of the Bridge to Bay Trail is popular and receives a lot of use. The majority of the route is a shared use pathway through a wooded corridor of the state park.
Enjoy this easy 5-mile ride with family and friends. The majority of the route is a shared use pathway through a wooded corridor with road crossing about a mile apart. East China Township Park is fun to explore with meandering pathways, a disk golf course, rec fields and a dog park.
This 11-mile loop is a combination of the inland and river routes. Majority of this trail is a sidepath along the road, with some short on-road and off-road segments. The bike ride takes you through downtown St Clair where you will find shopping, cafes, waterfront dining and a riverfront park. East China Township Park anchors the ride on the south end and is fun to explore with meandering pathways, a disk golf course, rec fields and a dog park.
Enjoy this 6-mile ride as you follow the St Clair River under the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. This route uses local roads and parallels the riverwalks with access to numerous waterfront parks and magnificent views of the St Clair River and Lake Huron.
Enjoy Marysville’s riverfront on this 9-mile bike ride. It passes through Morton Park, Marysville City Park, Chrysler Beach and along Marysville’s living shoreline. The trail follows River Road were you will get unrestricted views of the river.
Enjoy this 16-mile ride as you follow the St Clair River between St Clair and Marysville. Majority of this trail is a shared use path, separated from the roadway, with the exception of Yankee Road where you will travel for 1/2-miles on bike lanes before re-joining the path. In Marysville, the trail follows River Road where you will get magnificent views of the river.
This loop ride takes you from the inland rail trail through the heart of downtown Marine City and along the riverfront. The majority of this route uses local roads with plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and to do some shopping and dining. Marine City’s riverfront is scattered with parks where you can sit back and enjoy the river.
For a scenic bike ride, hop on a ferry in Clay Township and explore Harsens Island. For bicyclists, the ferry service is free and only takes a few minutes. The island is about 8 miles long and 3 miles wide with a few roads that offer loop routes. There are a few restaurants/bars and convenience stores on the island that cater to near-by boaters and locals.
Explore a New Place…
Lighthouse Park is one of the most historic parks in the area with 900 feet of waterfront and beach on Lake Huron and is the site of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Amenities include bathrooms, playground, picnic tables, and grills.
Climb aboard the Huron Lightship for a look at the crews quarters and hear stories about the Huron’s duties. The Huron Lightship Museum is located next to Pine Grove Park in Port Huron. The Huron Lightship was the last operating lightship on the Great Lakes, and served for over 50 years when she was retired in 1970. There is an extensive collection of artifacts, including many model ships, as well as a live camera feed of the bottom of the river, taken off a camera positioned at the bow.
Artifacts and archival collections bring Marine City’s maritime history and heritage to life. Highlights include a diorama of the Belle River in 1885 when 5 shipyards were engaged in producing some of the finest ships on the Great Lakes.
Blue Water River Walk County Park is the newest park of the St. Clair County Park system. The 6.5-acre park that includes one mile of trail is located just north of the Seaway Terminal on the St. Clair River. The park, which was a former railroad switch yard, has been partially restored to a coastal wetland. A boardwalk allows park visitors to get close to the wetland habitat without disturbing the natural features and interpretive signs help explain how the wetlands work.
The Algonac-Clay Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the community and maritime history of the area. The museum archives include Algonac’s boat building heritage featuring Chris-Craft, Gar Wood, Allen, Cuthbertson and many other local boat builders. Over 10,000 artifacts feature local history, business, boat racing, boating, shipping, Coast Guard, industry, schools, churches and the military.
For premier freighter viewing visit the Great Lakes Maritime Center (GLMC). It offers a variety of opportunities to learn about the history and current events of the Great Lakes. A live underwater camera feed lets you view activity under the surface of the St. Clair River; and a live display of ship movements can be viewed. The GLMC is located at the junction of the Black River and St. Clair River. Watch the ships gracefully pass by less than a quarter mile away from the sun-soaked deck or warm and dry viewing room.
Visit a Trail Town…
This historic city is known for its vintage homes and record-breaking waterfront, holding the title of the longest freshwater boardwalk in the world. St Clair is a charming city of tree-lined streets, boat harbors, boutiques, and cafes. The center piece of downtown is Palmer Park were concerts and other public events are held throughout the year and it is a spectacular location to view freighters up close.
Algonac is all about boating and beautiful waterfront scenes that can be viewed over 1,800 feet of boardwalk. Algonac shares its border with Clay Township and together, these communities are a destination for sportspersons, paddlers and nature lovers. The area is one of the worlds largest fresh water deltas with hundreds of islands including, the charming Harsens Island that can be access by a ferry service.
Known as the Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes, visitors can take a stroll through the many waterfront parks and enjoy the vast presence of the Blue Water Bridge. On a sunny afternoon, the riverfront parks will be full of people fishing, running, roller blading, scuba diving, picnicking, and taking pictures with the breath-taking view of the Bluewater Bridge in the background as freighters pass by.
The City of Marysville is a popular outdoor destination for both residents and visitors. Many great summer events occur within its 58 acres, near the riverfront, which include a beach, park and 2.7 acres of living shoreline. The shoreline riverwalk provides uninterrupted views of the St. Clair River and is perfect for fishing or taking a leisurely stroll.
With its many antique and gift shops, Marine City has grown into a hot spot for collectors and treasure hunters. Numerous parks are interspersed between unique shopping and dining venues along the historic waterfront and beyond. Live theaters and museums ensure there’s something fun for everyone. Visitors also enjoy a swimming beach, fishing, boating, scuba and amphitheater along the riverfront.
Make a donation to support the Bridge to Bay Trail.
Learn about opportunities to help us take care of the trail.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the Bridge to Bay Trail.
Check Out the Links Above for Local Events and Information
Check Out the Following Links for Local Events and Information
