Information on Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding Northwest Michigan area

Grand Traverse County Natural Education Reserve

The reserve along the Boardman River is so close to downtown Traverse City that "day trip" really doesn't do it justice - you could easily visit it during a lunch break. But with six miles of trails winding along the rapids of the Boardman River, Sabin Pond and Keystone Pond, it is easy to spend hours in the 420-acre reserve.

Photo courtesy of the GTCD
The Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve, a series of developed trails along the Boardman River and Sabin Pond (above), is just minutes outside the Traverse City limits.

The drawback of being so close to town is that the noise of passing cars on can be distracting on certain trails, as some of the paths are close to Keystone Rd., which runs the length of the Reserve. One does not always get the same sense of wilderness as in some of the more remote natural areas in Northern Michigan.

But on some trails, such as the Keystone Rapids Trail, the roaring sound of the river rapids drowns out the traffic noise, and its convenient location makes up for the traffic.The Sabin Pond Trail is a half-mile trail beginning at the parking area on Cass Rd. The trail leads you through a hardwood forest and wetlands, ending at the Pavilion/Picnic Area on Cass Road.

The Sabin Pond trail also gives you access to the Fox Den Loop, a trail that runs along the Boardman River past the Sabin Dam. The Fox Den Loop also features a 900-foot boardwalk through wetlands, two footbridges and a viewing platform.

The Beaver Pond Trail also begins on Cass Road (near the one-way bridge). The three-quarter mile trail loops through wetlands and ends at the Pavilion/Picnic Area on Cass Road. The trail also features a swan nesting area, an active beaver lodge and a viewing platform with a panoramic view of Sabin Pond. There is also a boat launch across the road from the trailhead.

Photo courtesy of the GTCD
One of the many guided hikes at the reserve.

The Keystone Rapids Trail begins on Beitner Road and is a half-mile long. The wood-chip trail winds along the Boardman River past whitewater rapids and ends at the Oleson Bridge. There is also a viewing platform that gives you an amazing view of the river. Beitner Park, which is across from the trailhead, features a canoe portage, a large parking area and a restroom.

The Conservation District also offers a series of guided educational nature hikes from late June through mid-August.The Grand Traverse County Natural Education Reserve is located 3 miles south of Traverse City on Cass Road, Keystone Road and Beitner Road. The Grand Traverse Conservation District, which maintains the Reserve, is at 1222 Veterans Dr.; 941-0960.

For more information and a map of the Reserve, see http://www.gtcd.org.