Dunnebacke Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dunnebacke Park is a popular outdoor destination located in Kent County, Michigan.


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Summary

The park is known for its beautiful scenery, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and family-friendly activities.

Some good reasons to visit Dunnebacke Park include:

- Hiking: The park features several miles of trails that wind through woods and along the Grand River. These trails offer a great way to explore the park's natural beauty and spot wildlife.
- Fishing: The Grand River is home to a variety of fish species, including steelhead, salmon, and trout. The park offers a fishing area and boat launch for visitors.
- Picnicking: Dunnebacke Park has several picnic areas with tables and grills, making it a great spot for a family outing or group gathering.
- Playground: The park has a playground for children, featuring swings, slides, and climbing structures.
- Winter sports: During the winter months, the park offers opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

In addition to these activities, Dunnebacke Park also has several points of interest worth visiting, including:

- The Grand River: The park is situated along the Grand River, which is one of the longest rivers in Michigan. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of the river and its wildlife.
- The Dam: The park is home to a historic dam that was built in the early 1900s to create a hydroelectric power source. Today, the dam is a popular spot for fishing and sightseeing.
- The Woods: Dunnebacke Park is surrounded by woods, which offer a peaceful and serene atmosphere for a hike or picnic.

Interesting facts about Dunnebacke Park include:

- The park was established in 2003 and covers over 100 acres of land.
- The park is named after the Dunnebacke family, who were early settlers in the area.
- The Grand River is home to over 80 species of fish, making it one of the best fishing destinations in Michigan.

The best time of year to visit Dunnebacke Park depends on what activities you are interested in. During the summer months, the park is popular for hiking, fishing, and picnicking. Fall is a great time to visit for the changing leaves and fall foliage. Winter sports are available during the colder months, and spring is a great time to see wildflowers and migratory birds.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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