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The Lakeshore Trail is a 2.5-mile multi-use walking and biking trail along the M-63 corridor that follows the Lake Michigan shoreline starting at Higman Park Road in Benton Harbor and connecting to a trailhead on Monte Road on Whirlpool’s campus. The Lakeshore Trail is part of the Lakeshore Route which will connect communities along the Lake Michigan shoreline while providing a safe route for walking, biking and outdoor recreation. While the full vision for the trail is still being developed, visitors can already enjoy the first completed phase today.
Along the route, the Lakeshore Trail connects visitors to parks and beaches along Lake Michigan while providing access to both downtown Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. The trail also links to an impressive network of nearby recreational opportunities, including 12 miles of Harbor Shores public walking trails and the 7-mile Lakeview Mountain Bike Trail.
The trail can be accessed at a trailhead on Higman Park road and the trailhead on Monte road. Both trailheads have restroom facilities and make convenient starting points for exploring the broader trail system.
Phase One, completed in Spring 2026, includes 2.5 miles of paved multi-use trail beginning at Higman Park Road in Benton Harbor and running along M-63 to the Lakeview Mountain Bike trailhead on Monte Road. This section provides a scenic and accessible route for walking, running and biking, making it a great option for anyone looking to explore the area outdoors.
The Lakeshore Trail is part of a larger regional vision of a Lakeshore Route. When completed, it will connect the Red Arrow Trail, the John and Dede Howard Family Trail, and the Van Buren State Park Trail, which continues north to South Haven. This connection is especially important because Benton Harbor and St. Joseph sit almost exactly halfway between New Buffalo and South Haven – about 28 miles in either direction – making this trail a critical link along the Lake Michigan corridor.
To learn more about future phases and trail expansion, visit the Lakeshore Trail project page.
Your tax-deductible donation will help expand the Lakeshore Trail creating a safer, more connected trail network along the Lake Michigan shoreline while supporting tourism, outdoor recreation and local communities.
