Hiking Trails in Barry County Michigan

Compiled by Jerry Pattok

(Updated July 2008)

Note: Clicking on the decimal GPS coordinates below will take you to a Google™ Map at those coordinates. In this zoom-able map you can generate driving directions to the starting point of the hike from your home or other origin of choice by clicking on the green arrow pointer, then on the "directions" link, and plugging in the address in the "A" box that pops up in the left column.

Barry State Game Area Headquarters

Address: 1805 S. Yankee Springs Road, Middleville MI 49333

Phone: 269-795-3280

GPS: N42°37’32.0” W85°26’49.8” [42.625555, -85.447166]

Maps and information about the trails are available at the area headquarters (and here). This area is used for hunting, so the hiker should wear bright colors during the hunting seasons and be respectful of that activity.

Starting from the intersection of Broadway and State St. in Hastings,
go west on W State Street for 2.3 miles.
Go west on M43 for 0.3 miles.
Go straight west onto M179 (Chief Noonday Rd).
Stay straight on M179 for 5.4 miles.
Turn left at the stop sign onto Yankee Springs Road.
Go 0.9 miles to the headquarters.
It is on the west side of the road.

Bernard Historical Museum

Address: 7135 Delton Rd, Delton MI 49046

Phone: 269-623-3565

Web site: (Click here)
GPS: N42°30’09.3” W85°25’38.2” [42.502583, -85.427277]

A loop trail of about 0.1 miles exists on the property. It is through a wood and goes down and up a hill. There is a view of a lake. Parking is free.

Starting from the intersection of Broadway and State St. in Hastings,

go west on W. State St. for 2.3 miles to the light.

Go straight for 12.1 miles on M43 until you get to Delton Road.

Turn right and go west for 0.8 miles to the museum.

It is on the north side of the road.

Carter Lake Preserve
	GPS: N42°40’13.7” W85°18’01.9” [42.670472, -85.300527] Aerial map image
	It has a loop trail of 1.5 miles with steps, a bridge, marsh and woods. It can be difficult to hike during wet weather.
	From the intersection of State St. and Broadway, go north on Broadway for 1.2 miles. Turn left on Indian Hills Drive. Go 0.7 miles to Country Club Drive. Turn right (north) and go 0.1 miles to the preserve.

Charlton Park

Address: 2545 S Charlton Park Rd, Hastings MI 49058

Phone: 269-945- 3775 FAX 269-945-0390

Web site: www.charltonpark.org

GPS: N42°37”11.2” W85°12’21.5” [42.619777, -85.205972]

There is a 1.4 mile marked loop trail that starts east of the main entrance. A map is available at the office. It passes through grasslands and woods. You will encounter a couple of log cabins near the trail. Most of it is flat but there is a steep hill.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway,
go south on Broadway for 0.2 miles.
Turn left.
Go east on Green St. for 0.4 miles.
Turn right onto Hanover (M37)
go south for 2.6 miles.
Turn left onto M79.
Go east on M79 for 3.0 miles.
Turn left onto Charlton Park Road.
Go 0.7 miles to the north gate on the east side of the road.

Dolan Trail
GPS: N42°46’38.3” W85°21’29.7” [42.777305, -85.35825]
This 1.1 mile loop trail is in Kent County near the Barry County border on property owned by Trout Unlimited. There are shorter loops. It is a flat marked trail with a section next to the Coldwater River. Some parts may be hard to follow as you move away from the river. Virginia Bluebells bloom prolifically along the trail in the spring.
Follow the directions given for the Maher Sanctuary (see below) to 108th Street. Wood School Road turns into Baker. Go north 0.5 miles across the river to the parking lot. It is on the east side of the road.

Gertrude McPharlin Bauer Nature Sanctuary
GPS: N42°35'51.0” W85°10’25.2” [42.5975, -85.173666]
	There are two loops of about ¼ mile each to scenic views.
	From the intersection of Broadway and State St., follow M-37 for 3.1 miles to M-79 just south of Hastings. Turn left. Go east for 5.0 miles to Barryville Road. Turn right and go 0.4 miles. The parking lot is on the west side of the road.

New ► Gun Lake Tract

GPS: N42°34.517 W85° 30.887 [42.575283, -85.514783]

This loop trail is located south of Gun Lake. The 360 acre Gun Lake Tract's primary habitat is early successional forest, which is the necessary habitat for a variety of bird species including the ruffed grouse, woodcock, barred owl, rufous-sided towhee, indigo bunting, yellow and chestnut sided warblers and yellow crowned kinglet. This habitat is likewise populated by deer, turkey, pheasant, and more common woodland species. The Gun Lake Tract demonstrates many other managed natural communities, including oak, black locust and walnut regeneration areas, upland and swamp oak seed tree stands, a developing beech/sugar maple forest, lowland and upland hardwood stands, timber management and unmanaged tracts, a peat bog, an emergent wetland and grasslands.

From the junction of M37 and M43 west of Hastings,
go west 0.3 miles to M179 (Chief Noonday Road).
Follow M179 for 1.3 miles.
Bear left onto Gun Lake Road.
Go 5.9 miles to the stop sign at Yankee Springs Road.
Turn left and go 1.2 miles to Wildwood Road.
Turn right and follow Wildwood to the stop sign on Marsh Road.
Turn left and go 0.1 miles to the parking lot on the west side of the road.

Hastings Riverwalk & Trestle Bridge

Riverwalk GPS: N42°39’5.3” W85°17’39.2” [42.651472, -85.294222]
Trestle Bridge GPS: N42°38’57.8” W85°17’02.0” [42.649388, -85.283888]

This is a short easy hike. It features a bridge over the Thornapple River. There are about 0.3 miles to hike in Tyden Park and 0.3 miles across the bridge. There are benches and it overlooks of the river.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway,
go north on Broadway 0.2 miles.
Turn left into Tyden Park.
The footbridge is on the west side of the park.

There is another footbridge in Hastings that crosses the river. It is a very short 0.1 mile section joining Apple and Mill Streets. It is The Railroad Trestle Bridge. It is not part of the Riverwalk but worth a look.

Turn right out of Tyden Park.
Go 1 block south to Apple Street.
Turn left onto Apple
go three and a half blocks east.
Take the cement sidewalk beside the river over the bridge.

Maher Sanctuary
http://www.glsga.org/graud/maher/maher_sanctuary.htm GPS: N42°46’10.0” W85°21’53.9” [42.769444, -85.364972]
This is an easy 0.5 mile hike that takes about half an hour. It is a loop trail. Most of it is flat. It has diversity. Boardwalk has been built through the lowlands. It has benches.
From the intersection of State St and Broadway, go north 0.3 miles to State Road. Turn left. You’ll be going west. Go 4.5 miles. State Road curves to the north. Turn right onto Wood School Road. Go 6.2 miles to the intersection of 108th and Baker. Wood School Road turns into Baker. Turn left onto 108th go 0.4 miles to the parking lot on the south side of the road.

Middleville Spring Park
	GPS: N42°42’25.0” W85°28’05.7” [42.706944, -85.46825]
	This 0.1 mile linear trail has boardwalk, benches and bridges. It’s flat.
	This trail is on the north side of Middleville Spring Park. The Park is on the east side of the M-37 just 0.3 miles south of the traffic light at the intersection of M-37 and E. Main St. in Middleville.

North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST)

www.northcountrytrail.org (national web site)

www.northcountrytrail.org/cnd (Chief Noonday Chapter of the NCTA)

This Trail is a linear park that goes from North Dakota to New York. A section of it passes through Barry County. Sections of the Trail are changed periodically to improve the quality of the hike. The section that passes through the Barry State Game Area and Yankee Springs Recreation Area is well established. Follow the blue blazes. Listed here are parking lots and access points along that section of the Trail. Kiosks are placed at trailheads to provide information to the hiker.

Johnson Road

GPS: N42°44’10.7”W85°24’26.2” [42.736305, -85.407277]

From the traffic light at the intersection of M-37 and E Main in Middleville,
go east 0.6 miles to Grand Rapids Street.
Turn left.
Go north 1.9 mile to Garbow Road. Grand Rapids Street turns into Whitneyville Road.
Turn right.
Go 2.8 miles to Johnson Road.
Turn right.
Go 0.3 miles south to the trail.
This is a seasonal road. The parking lot is on the east side of the road. It is a 1.2 mile hike to Robertson.

Robertson Road

GPS: West side of Robertson N42°43’54.4” W85°25’40.1”
[42.731777, -85.427805]
East side of Robertson N42°44’01.4”W85°25’38.2”
[42.733722, -85.427277]

There are two parking lots on this road 0.1 miles apart that are on the trail.
Follow the directions to the intersection of Whitneyville Rd. and Garbow Rd given for Johnson Road.
Turn right onto Garbow and go east for 1.8 miles to Robertson Road.
Turn right on Robertson and go south for 0.4 miles to the parking lots.
It is a 1.4 mile hike to Crane Road.

Crane Road

GPS: N42°43’31.7”W85°26’48.1” [42.725472, -85.446694]

From the traffic light at the intersection of M-37 and E Main St in Middleville,
go east on E Main for 0.6 miles to Grand Rapids Street.
Turn left.
Go north for 0.8 miles to Crane Road.
Turn right.
Go east for 0.7 miles to the trailhead.
Trailhead is on the north side of the road.

Peets Road

GPS: N42°39'21.0” W85°25’38.9” [42.655833, -85.427472]

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway,
go west on State St. 2.3 miles to the light.
Turn right.
Go 5.4 miles to Peets Road.
Turn left and go west 0.5 miles to the lot.
It is on the right side of the road.
It is a 1.4 mile hike to Bowens Mill Road.

Bowens Mill Road

GPS: N42°39'11.5” W85°26’08.7” [42.653194, -85.43575]

After turning onto Peets Road from M37,
go 1.5 miles to Bowens Mill Road.
Turn right.
Go 0.5 miles to the parking lot on the right side of the road.
It is a 1 mile hike to Yankee Springs Road.

Yankee Springs Road

GPS: N42°38’44.2” W85°26’51.8” [42.645611, -85.447722]

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway
go west on State St for 2.3 miles.
Go straight onto M43 for 0.3 miles.
Stay straight to go onto M179 (Chief Noonday Rd).
Go 5.4 miles to the stop sign on Yankee Springs Road.
Turn left and go 0.5 miles to the parking lot. It is on the left.
It is a 0.7 mile hike to Chief Noonday Road.

Chief Noonday Road / M-179

GPS: N42°38’20.9” W85°27’15.6” [42.639138, -85.454333]

Follow the directions given for the parking lot on Yankee Springs Road to the stop sign at the intersection of M179 and Yankee Springs Road.
Instead of turning, go straight ahead on M179 for 0.4 miles.
The parking lot is on the right.
It is a 1.3 mile hike to Bassett Lake Road.

Bassett Lake Road

GPS: N42°37’59.4” W85°28’16.7” [42.633166, -85.471305]

Follow the directions given to the stop sign at the intersection of M179 and Yankee Springs Road for the Yankee Springs parking lot.
Go straight ahead on M179 for 1.2 miles to Bassett Lake road.
Turn left onto the two track.
Follow it 0.5 miles to the parking lot on the left.
It is a 3.1 mile hike to the west side of Hall Lake.

Hall Lake Access

GPS: N42°36’44.5” W85°29’01.3" [42.612361, -85.483694]

The NCNST crosses Gun Lake Road on the west side of Hall Lake. It is 0.1 miles from the access to the trail. It is 2.6 miles by trail to Norris Road. A permit is required. It can be obtained on-line or at the Yankee Springs Headquarters. We have a map of the re-route of the NCNST between Hall Lake and Norris Road approved by the DNR in 2009, for which construction is planned in the spring of 2009.

From the intersection of Broadway and State St.,
go west on State for 2.3 miles.
Go straight on M43 for 0.3 miles.
Go straight onto M179 (Chief Noonday Rd).
After 1.3 miles, bear left onto Gun Lake Road.
Go 5.6 miles until it intersects with Yankee Springs Road at the stop sign.
Go straight on Gun Lake Rd for 1.3 miles.
The Access is on the right.

Norris Road

GPS: N42°36’18.8” W85°27’49.6” [42.605222, -85.463777]

Follow the directions to the stop sign at Gun Lake Road and Yankee Springs Road given for the Hall Lake Access.
Instead of going straight, turn left onto Yankee Springs Road.
Yankee Springs Road turns into Norris Road.
Go 0.5 miles to the parking lots. There are lots on both sides of the road.
It is 2.4 miles by trail to McKibbin.

McKibbin Road

GPS: N42°34’51.7” W85°26’45.1” [42.581027, -85.445861]

Follow the directions to the stop sign at Gun Lake Road and Yankee Springs Road given for the Hall Lake Access.
Turn left onto Yankee Springs Road.
Go 2.7 miles to Mullen Road.
Turn left onto Mullen.
Go 1 mile.
Turn left onto McKibbin
Go 0.5 miles to the parking lot on the right.
It is 0.4 miles by trail to Mullen.

Mullen Road

GPS: N42°34’21.3” W85°26’42.3” [42.572583, -85.445083]

The NCNST can also be accessed by a right turn at the intersection of Mullen and McKibbin
then following the curve to the left for 0.1 miles.
It is a 1.6 mile hike to Keller.

(Webmaster note: As of June 2010, this Trail segment between Mullen and McKibben Roads has not been maintained.)

Otis Sanctuary

Address: 3560 Havens Rd, Hastings MI 49058

Phone: 269-948-5777

e-mail: otissanctuary@mei.net

Web site: (Click here)
GPS: N42°36’01.8” W85°23’25.9” [42.6005, -85.390527]

This preserve has a 1.2 mile trail with picnic tables and benches. It passes through wooded and open areas. The parking lot is on the west side of the road just south of the manager’s residence.

From the intersection of Broadway and State St.

Go west on M43 (State St.) for 5.5miles.

Turn right onto Goodwill Road.

Go 1.6 miles.

Turn left onto Havens Rd

go 0.5 miles to the sanctuary.

Paul Henry - Thornapple Trail

Address: The Thornapple Trail Association, P.O. Box 393,

Middleville MI 49333

Phone: 269-795-8739

Web site: www.thornappletrail.com

This is a linear trail developed from the former Penn Central railroad bed. There are no steep grades. This is a premiere trail. The trail has many scenic views of the Thornapple River. Sections close for the hunting season.

Middleville

GPS: N42°42’40.3” W85°27’53.8” [42.711194, -85.464944]

There is a park with benches overlooking the river. There are 3.5 miles of paved trail from here to McCann. This is a very scenic and easy hike.

From the light at the intersection of M37 and Main Sreet in Middleville,
go east 0.2 miles to the park next to the river.

McCann Road Parking Lot

GPS: 42°41’13.7” W85°25’04.6” [42.687138, -85.417944]

Go 1.8 miles north of the intersection of Irving Road and M37 on M37.
Turn right onto McCann Road
go 0.7 miles to the parking lot on the left side of the road.

Irving Road

GPS: 42.687246, -85.417521

A parking lot is not available. However, there is room for a vehicle. Go north on the gravel path for 1.7 miles to McCann

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway
go west on State for 2.3 miles.
Turn right onto M37.
Go 3 miles to Irving Road.
Turn right.
Go 0.6 miles to the trail.

Quimby

GPS: Kellems N42°36’45.9” W85°14’07.9” [42.61275, -85.235527]
GPS: Thornapple Dr N42°36’42.7” W85°13’35.6” [42.611861, -85.226555]

This is 0.5 miles of trail that goes from Kellems Drive east to Thornapple Drrive in Quimby. There are no parking lots but there is room for a vehicle.

Go 1.5 miles south of Hastings to the intersection of M37 and M79.
Turn left onto M79
go east for 1.7 miles to McKeown Road.
Turn left onto McKeown.
Go north 0.1 miles to Kellems Drive.
It is on the east side of the road.
The trail is about 120 ft. from McKeown on Kellems.
Thornapple Dr is 0.5 miles east of McKeown on M37. It is 0.1 miles north of M37.

Morgan

GPS: N42°37’18.7” W85°10’38.6” [42.621861, -85.177388]

This trailhead has parking for several vehicles. Start by going NE 1.2 miles to Devine Road.

Go 1.5 miles south of Hastings to the intersection of M37 and M79.
Turn left onto M79
Go 3.7 miles east.
Turn left onto Thornapple Lake Road
Go 1.3 miles to the trailhead on the east side of the road.

Devine Road

GPS: N42°37”22.5” W85°09’12.7” [42.622916, -85.153527]

Cars can be parked on the road or in front of the gates. Go east on the trail for 1.2 miles where public access ceases.

It is 1.3 miles east of the Morgan Trailhead.

Fuller Elementary

GPS: N42°35’59.1” W85°05’47.2” [42.59975, -85.096444]

Cars can be parked on the north side of M79 across from the school. You can go west for 1.7 miles to Greggs Crossing where public access ceases or east through the town of Nashville for 1.2 miles to Reed Street.

Go 1.5 miles south of Hastings to the intersection of M37 and M79.
Turn left onto M79
Go east for 9.1 miles.

Reed Street

GPS:N42°36’25.4” W85°04’34.4” [42.607055, -85.076222]

There is a parking area at this trailhead. The trail continues towards Charlotte.

Go 1.5 miles south of Hastings to the intersection of M37 and M79.
Turn left onto M79
Go 9.3 miles to the intersection of M79 and M66.
Turn left onto M66
Go north for 0.6 miles to Reed Street.
Turn right
Go 0.9 miles to the trailhead.
Trailhead is on the south side of the road.

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Address: 701 Cloverdale Rd, Hastings MI 49058 Phone: 269-721-4190 FAX (269) 721-4474 Web site: www.cedarcreekinstitute.org Sponsor's Web site Trail Map GPS: N42°32’10.2” W85°18’04.0” [42.536166, -85.301111]
	This is a private facility that has over 5 miles of trail open to the public 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. There are 6 color -coded trails ranging from 0.2 to 1.8 miles in length. The trails vary from easy to moderately difficult. All are well maintained. Restrooms and maps are available at the Visitors Center. The Center is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. The Center can also serve as a warming room for winter hikes. Snowshoes are available to rent. This facility has ponds, a lake, woods, fen, grassland, an esker and abundant wildlife.
	From the intersection of State St. and Broadway, go south on Broadway for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto Green St. Go east 0.4 miles to Hanover. Turn right onto M37 (S Hanover St) go south for 8 miles to Cloverdale Road. Turn right go west on Cloverdale Road for 1.9 miles. The Institute is on the left.

Sweezy’s Pond

GPS: N42°38’26.4”W85°17’59.0” [42.640666, -85.299722]

This is a 0.8 mile loop trail through a wood.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway in Hastings
Go west to S. Market Street
Turn left (south)
Go south for 0.5 miles to Clinton Street
Turn right
Go west for 0.3 miles
The lot is on the south side of the road next to the soccer field.

Star Elementary

GPS: N42°37’41.2”W85°16’26.3” [42.628111, -85.273972]

This is a 0.8 mile loop trail that has boardwalk, an overlook, benches and blind alleys.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway in Hastings
Take M-37 south for 2.1 miles.
Turn left onto E River Road.
Go 0.4 miles to Star School Road.
Turn left
Go 0.1 miles to the school on the west side of the road.

Yankee Springs Recreation Area Headquarters

Address: 2104 S Briggs Rd, Middleville MI 49333

Phone: 269-795-9081
GPS: N42°37’21.4” W85°30’50.8” [42.622611, -85.514111]

Information and maps of the trails are available at the headquarters (and here). Some of the parking areas require permits that are issued here.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway,
go west for 2.3 miles.
Go straight on M43 for 0.3 miles.
Go straight west onto M179 (Chief Noonday Road).
Go 9.0 miles to the stop sign on Briggs Road.
Turn left onto Briggs.
Briggs becomes Gun Lake Road.
Go 0.6 miles to the headquarters. It is on the right.

Yankee Springs Recreation Area Foot Trails

A map is available at the headquarters (and here) for the trails listed.

Chief Noonday Trail

GPS: N42°38’08.8” W85°29’46.6” [42.635777, -85.496277]

This is a 4- mile round trip trail with orange markers. It takes the hiker to the geologic phenomenon called the Devil’s Soupbowl. The trail passes near McDonald Lake.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway,
go west 2.3 miles.
Go straight on M43 for 0.3 miles.
Go straight west onto M179 (Chief Noonday Road).
Go 8.0 miles to the parking lot. It is on the south side of the road.

Deep Lake Trail

GPS: N42°36’59.9” W85°27’11.0” [42.616638, -85.453055]

This is a 4-mile trail with ivory markers. This trail winds around Deep Lake passing by the Devil’s Soupbowl.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway,
go west on State St. (M37) for 2.3 miles.
Stay straight on M43 for 0.3 miles.
Go straight west to go onto M179 (Chief Noonday Road).
Go 5.4 miles to Yankee Springs Road.
Turn left
Go 1.7 miles to the campground. It is on the west side of the road.

Hall Lake Trail

GPS: N42°36’47.8” W85°29’25.8” [42.613277, -85.4905]

This is a 2-mile trail with blue markers. It follows the shoreline of Hall Lake and goes to Graves Hill. A permit is required to use the parking lot.

Follow the directions given for getting to the Yankee Springs Headquarters to the stop sign at the intersection of M179 and Briggs.

Turn left and go 2.1 miles. The parking lot is on the left in front of the entrance to the Long Lake Lodge.

Long Lake Trail

GPS: N42°37’26.5” W85°30’48.3” [42.624027, -85.513416]

This is a 5-mile trail with yellow markers. It features a boardwalk, an old wagon road, Grave’s Hill and the Devil’s Soupbowl.

Follow the directions given for getting to the Yankee Springs Headquarters to the stop sign at the intersection of M179 and Briggs .
Turn left and go 0.5 miles. It is on the left side of the road .

Sassafras Nature Trail

GPS: N42°37’12.1” W85°31’04.9” [42.620027, -85.518027]

This is a ½ mile interpretive trail with green markers. Separate brochures are available for the trail from the campground office and area headquarters.

Follow the directions given to for getting to the Yankee Springs Headquarters to the stop sign at the intersection of M179 and Briggs.
Turn left and go 0.8 miles to the campground.
Turn right. The trail is 0.2 miles from the road behind and to the right of the campground office.

ZHIGAAWIN Trail
	GPS: N42°39’55.4” W85°18’42.4” [42.665388, -85.311777]
	This trail is on property owned by the City of Hastings. A 0.5 mile loop trail overlooks Carter Lake. Another 0.6 mile loop passes over a wooden footbridge. It has some steep grades. It contains a Boy Scout orienteering course.
	From the intersection of State St. and Broadway, go north on Broadway for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto State Road. Go west 1.3 miles to Hammond Road. Turn right. Go 0.5 miles to the trail. It is on the right.

Warner Sanctuary

GPS: N42°37’14.3” W85°23’47.4” [42.620638, -85.3965]

This loop trail goes through a heavily wooded area for about 1.7 miles. It has a boardwalk and a bridge over a creek.

From the intersection of State St. and Broadway,

go west on State St. for 2.3 miles.

Go west on M 43 for 0.3 miles.

Go straight west onto M 179 (Chief Noonday Road).

Go 1.3 miles and bear left onto Gun Lake Road.

Go 2 miles and go straight after rounding the curve onto Erway.

Go 0.7 miles to the parking lot on the east side of the road.

Last modified: Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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