Upper Macatawa Natural Area

The Upper Macatawa Conservation Area, located in Zeeland Township, now includes 612 acres with the potential for up to 700 acres in the future. With input from county residents, guidance from the Macatawa Greenway Partnership and funding from the Holland-Zeeland Community Foundation, a master plan was approved in 2006 to guide the development of this project.

In addition to recreation, the plan recognizes the value of the site for water quality improvement, flood water storage and wildlife habitat enhancement. The majority of master plan improvements for the UMCA have been completed including construction of key parking areas on 84th and 76th Avenues as well as the development of footbridges, picnic areas and overlooks. Trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, including a section of paved trail that will be part of the future greenway trail system are also being completed. Additional wetland restoration and a remeander of a section of the river channel, funded with a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Michigan Initiative, $100,000 in private dollars donated through the Macatawa Greenway Partnership plus park millage funds, has also been completed. Another restoration project, funded through the Michigan Department of Transportation, created over 18 acres of wooded and shrub-scrub wetlands for mitigation purposes.

Park Map - This printable map shows facilities, parking areas, features and trails (if any).

Facilities

  • Parking lots on 76th and 84th Avenues.
  • Hiking and cross-country ski trails
  • 0.5 miles of paved trail beginning at the 84th Ave. access leading to a scenic overlook platform
  • picnic tables
  • pit toilets

Park Hours

Upper Macatawa Natural Area is open year-round at the following times.

April 1 through October 31 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

November 1 through March 31 - 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fees

There are no entry fees.

Directions

The Upper Macatawa Natural Area is located in Zeeland Township. The 84th Avenue access is located on 84th Avenue north of Adams Street. The 76th Avenue access is located on 76th Avenue south of Byron Road.