Bay-Zil Rail Trail - Saginaw, MI
Bay-Zil Rail Trail – A Dog-Friendly Trail in Saginaw, Michigan
The Bay-Zil Rail Trail is a scenic, pet-friendly trail located in Saginaw, Michigan. Known for its smooth, flat path and abundant wildlife, this trail is ideal for dog owners looking for an easy, peaceful hike or a casual stroll with their pups. The trail is wheelchair accessible and features paved paths for most of the distance, making it suitable for a variety of visitors, including families with children and those with limited mobility.
Stretching approximately 5.5 miles from southern Bay City to the Zilwaukee Bridge, Bay-Zil Rail Trail offers beautiful views of nature, opportunities to spot sandhill cranes, herons, bluebirds, and more, plus convenient parking and minimal street crossings. Dogs are welcome on leash, and there are kid-friendly hikes and plenty of natural shade along the route. Its combination of accessibility, wildlife viewing, and peaceful atmosphere make it a top choice for dog-friendly hiking in the Saginaw area.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? No, dogs must remain on leash while enjoying the trail.
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the trail has wheelchair accessible parking and smooth paved sections.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the trail is good for kids and includes kid-friendly hikes.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the Bay-Zil Rail Trail itself is a dedicated hiking and biking trail.
Reviews
Decent short ride. Smooth and flat with lots of wildlife
Great trail. Easy and wonderful nature watching. Sandhill cranes, herons, bluebirds and several different scurrying critters.
A very nice trail to bike and hike. Paved and smooth. No official trail access at south end in Zilwaukee so if you bike or hike out the 5 miles from Bay City trailhead to the south end be prepared for the return trip. Will give five stars when access at the south end is complete.
Pretty nice bike/walking trail about 5.5 miles long which starts in southern Bay City at Hotchkiss Rd and Stark St. and goes to the Zilwaukee Bridge, although the last 3/4 mile is a real rough dirt trail and the paved mile before that point has damage due to grass growing up in the asphalt path. Once you get to that paved/dirt interface, there is nothing (bench, alternate route) – you just come back. The path only crosses two streets for that entire distance, and you can make it longer by starting at Morton St and Salzburg Ave (to make it 8 miles long, one way). Nice a straight with little elevation change.
Great rail trail in the Bay City area. I have walked this trail several times now (in the Fall and now Spring) and it is very peaceful, along with the wildlife to view. This trail is quite long and has two bridges to cross which makes it more enjoyable. I recommend this trail if you are into nature and outdoor activities.
Decent short ride. Smooth and flat with lots of wildlife
Great trail. Easy and wonderful nature watching. Sandhill cranes, herons, bluebirds and several different scurrying critters.
A very nice trail to bike and hike. Paved and smooth. No official trail access at south end in Zilwaukee so if you bike or hike out the 5 miles from Bay City trailhead to the south end be prepared for the return trip. Will give five stars when access at the south end is complete.
Pretty nice bike/walking trail about 5.5 miles long which starts in southern Bay City at Hotchkiss Rd and Stark St. and goes to the Zilwaukee Bridge, although the last 3/4 mile is a real rough dirt trail and the paved mile before that point has damage due to grass growing up in the asphalt path. Once you get to that paved/dirt interface, there is nothing (bench, alternate route) – you just come back. The path only crosses two streets for that entire distance, and you can make it longer by starting at Morton St and Salzburg Ave (to make it 8 miles long, one way). Nice a straight with little elevation change.
Great rail trail in the Bay City area. I have walked this trail several times now (in the Fall and now Spring) and it is very peaceful, along with the wildlife to view. This trail is quite long and has two bridges to cross which makes it more enjoyable. I recommend this trail if you are into nature and outdoor activities.
Decent short ride. Smooth and flat with lots of wildlife
Great trail. Easy and wonderful nature watching. Sandhill cranes, herons, bluebirds and several different scurrying critters.
A very nice trail to bike and hike. Paved and smooth. No official trail access at south end in Zilwaukee so if you bike or hike out the 5 miles from Bay City trailhead to the south end be prepared for the return trip. Will give five stars when access at the south end is complete.
Pretty nice bike/walking trail about 5.5 miles long which starts in southern Bay City at Hotchkiss Rd and Stark St. and goes to the Zilwaukee Bridge, although the last 3/4 mile is a real rough dirt trail and the paved mile before that point has damage due to grass growing up in the asphalt path. Once you get to that paved/dirt interface, there is nothing (bench, alternate route) – you just come back. The path only crosses two streets for that entire distance, and you can make it longer by starting at Morton St and Salzburg Ave (to make it 8 miles long, one way). Nice a straight with little elevation change.
Great rail trail in the Bay City area. I have walked this trail several times now (in the Fall and now Spring) and it is very peaceful, along with the wildlife to view. This trail is quite long and has two bridges to cross which makes it more enjoyable. I recommend this trail if you are into nature and outdoor activities.
Decent short ride. Smooth and flat with lots of wildlife
Great trail. Easy and wonderful nature watching. Sandhill cranes, herons, bluebirds and several different scurrying critters.
A very nice trail to bike and hike. Paved and smooth. No official trail access at south end in Zilwaukee so if you bike or hike out the 5 miles from Bay City trailhead to the south end be prepared for the return trip. Will give five stars when access at the south end is complete.
Pretty nice bike/walking trail about 5.5 miles long which starts in southern Bay City at Hotchkiss Rd and Stark St. and goes to the Zilwaukee Bridge, although the last 3/4 mile is a real rough dirt trail and the paved mile before that point has damage due to grass growing up in the asphalt path. Once you get to that paved/dirt interface, there is nothing (bench, alternate route) – you just come back. The path only crosses two streets for that entire distance, and you can make it longer by starting at Morton St and Salzburg Ave (to make it 8 miles long, one way). Nice a straight with little elevation change.
Great rail trail in the Bay City area. I have walked this trail several times now (in the Fall and now Spring) and it is very peaceful, along with the wildlife to view. This trail is quite long and has two bridges to cross which makes it more enjoyable. I recommend this trail if you are into nature and outdoor activities.