Traverse City Record-Eagle, Northern Michigan's Newspaper
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Information on Traverse City, Michigan and the surrounding Northwest Michigan area

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Sand Lakes Quiet Area

This preserve has 10 miles of trails and five lakes within its 3,000 acres. The terrain in the pine and oak forests ranges from flat to hilly - perfect for hiking or mountain biking. Camping is allowed, but you'll need to pick up a camp card pass from the DNR office (south of town on Emerson Road and Garfield Road).

You can camp pretty much anywhere, but if you want the comforts of civilization (outhouses, potable water pumps, etc.), the Guernsey Lake State Forest is nearby. Guernsey Lake has 36 sites for tents and small trailers.

The Sand Lakes Quiet Area trailhead is located on Broomhead Road, 4 miles south of M-72 (between Acme and Kalkaska). Take Williamsburg Road south, take a left on Sand Lakes Road and look for the parking area on your right. Guernsey Lake State Forest is 8 miles west of Kalkaska via Island Lake Road.