Saginaw River Headwaters Rec Area

334 Acres along the Saginaw River in Southwest Saginaw

Saginaw County Parks, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, opened Saginaw River Headwaters Rec Area in April 2023. The property currently features a parking area and nearly 3 miles of developed trails along the Saginaw River and adjacent wetlands. Trail surfaces include a 1/2 mile asphalt trail and over 2 miles of crushed compacted aggregate trail. Continued developments on the site have included trails, an observational overlook, and an interpretive timeline of the site; all highlighting the beautiful features and wildlife habitat throughout the 334 acres. A fishing platform is planned on the Saginaw River for 2027. 

Headwaters Capital Improvement Update – June 2024

The State of Michigan is implementing a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant this spring/summer at Saginaw River Headwaters Rec Area. The capital improvements include aggregate trail surfacing on the southern half of the trail system including around the landfill, the construction of an observation platform at the southern terminus of the Saginaw River trail, and additional benches along the trail system. The construction began on April 4, with the aggregate trail surfacing and bench installation completed on April 19. In August, construction of the observation platform will take place, potentially requiring trail closure of the southern portion(s) of the trail along the River. 

Saginaw County, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division and the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy, will implement a Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Recovery Act (GLFWRA) grant across a three-year cycle 2024-2026. This work will include extensive invasive species removal, the planting of native species pollinating flowers, shrubs, bushes, as well as 1000 native tree plantings. Matching funds for this project and additional habitat restoration were secured through the Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration(NRDAR) program. The NRDAR funding will also contribute to a fishing pier installation on the Saginaw River in 2025-2026.

Saginaw County Parks plans to keep the property open to the public throughout these initiatives; however, intermittent closures will be necessary as work progresses. A soft opening took place in 2023, followed by a formal ribbon cutting in 2025. We appreciate your patience and continued support of the Saginaw County Headwaters Recreation Area.

Check out the landscape video and photos below to get a sneak peak of this beautiful park.