Discover the great outdoors in Cannonsburg, just 20 minutes northeast of Grand Rapids. It includes the area’s largest winter sports park, a 1,300-acre state game area, numerous lakes and greenspaces, and a quirky blink-and-you’ll-miss-it village at the center of it all. (“It’s an Irish community under Polish management,” explains the village website. “Please be patient.”)
Cannonsburg is nestled between two great shopping and dining destinations, Rockford and Plainfield Ave, so you can enjoy both natural splendor and urban convenience in the space of a few minute
Cannonsburg Ski Area offers a variety of hills perfect for all ages.
Photo by Experience GR
Art & Culture
Back to Top of ListRalph T Moose
The official mascot of Cannonsburg Village, Ralph T Moose (the T stands for “The”) is a 600-pound cast-alloy sculpture of an animal whose species hasn’t been seen in these parts for more than a century. Stationed in front of the village gas station – though it makes occasional trips to community events – Ralph is often adorned with seasonal finery. 8000 Cannonsburg Rd NE.
Family Fun
Back to Top of ListCannonsburg Ski Area
Each winter, Cannonsburg Ski Area offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, multiple terrain parks, fat biking and the largest tubing facility in the state. There are 21 ski runs, from beginner to advanced, and nine ski lifts, including four rope twos, three chair lifts and two Magic Carpets. During the summer, Cannonsburg’s 13 miles of trails are free to use for hiking, mountain biking and trail running. The facility also hosts special events all year long, from trail races to haunted Halloween forests. Enjoy food and libations on the outdoor deck of the main lodge, winter and summer. 6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE.
Food & Drink
Back to Top of ListGrist Mill
The Grist Mill is a breakfast café, fresh bakery, deli counter, gas station, convenience store and butchery offering the finest cuts, including its own smoked meats. Open daily from 6am-8pm; breakfast is served from 6:30am-1:30pm. 8000 Cannonsburg Rd NE.
Honey Creek Inn
Operating continuously since 1936, the Honey Creek Inn provides Old World hospitality and a menu of scratch-made burgers, sandwiches, fish and chicken baskets, soups, shareables and desserts. Also offers an extensive selection of craft and imported beer. Open noon-10pm Mon-Sat. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd NE.
Shopping
Back to Top of ListTownsend Park
With picnic areas and shelters spread among wooded hills along the Bear Creek valley, Townsend Park is a scenic destination for a family outing. A hiking trail in the park’s north section winds through a large pine plantation. The Cannon Township Trail also links to the park from the north, featuring a boardwalk over natural wetlands. 8280 6 Mile Rd.
Pickerel Lake Park
Also known as the Fred Meijer Nature Preserve, Pickerel Lake Park offers a scenic mix of natural areas to explore along a branching network of trails. Trails meander through wetlands, sandy woods, rolling forest hills and valleys, and across a 900-foot boardwalk traversing a portion of 80-acre Pickerel Lake. The trails are open in winter for cross-country skiing. The main restrooms are closed in the off season, but a portable restroom is available at the parking lot. 6001 Ramsdell Dr NE.
Cannonsburg State Game Area
There are 7+ miles of mountain bike trails in Cannonsburg State Game Area, accessible from a parking lot off 4 Mile Rd near Dursum Ave. This is a four-section trail that is considered intermediate for biking and is also great for hiking and running. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. The game area is closed from Sept. 15-Feb. 1 annually for small game hunting season.
Outdoor Adventure
Back to Top of ListTake a stroll and explore the trails and boardwalks of Pickerel Lake Park.
Photo by Paul Jendrasiak for Experience GR.
Cannonsburg Bottle Shop
This classic bottle shop offers a wide variety of fine, mass-market and hard-to-find wine, liquor, beer and accessories. Cannonsburg Bottle Shop is open from noon-9pm Mon-Sat and noon-8pm Sun. 8011 Cannonsburg Rd NE.
Event
Back to Top of ListCannonsburg Village Holidays
Cannonsburg Village hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.