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DeYoung Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 118 Google reviews · Running trail in Traverse City, Michigan · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from DeYoung Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Nature preserve featuring cedar trees, farmland and wetlands, plus a dock.
What runners say about DeYoung Natural Area
“A truly beautiful little stroll- the boardwalk down to the water and then the hike through the cedar trees.”
“We took our family photos here, and I wish I could share a photo with you that reveals the serene nature of this area, but I can't post a picture of my foster kids at this time.”
My father’s uncle owned this farm. As a small child I remember visiting there. My father was born in 1925 and remembers visiting his uncle and aunt and cousins when he was young. It was an all day train ride from Newaygo MI area. Took my father here a year ago (92 years old) and he said the house looked the same.
It's a quick, quiet little loop that windes through woods and a field and pretty dog friendly. There is a little dock that comes to Cedar Lake. I've seen people with lines in the water pulling in bass and blue gill.
Great little dock area to fish off of with kids. You are not going to catch "monsters" or the like, so if you are a hard core fisherperson, not the place for you. However for younger kids and people just looking to catch some fish and have fun- it is a great area.
Such a cool little boardwalk that curves through a seemingly magical little Forest. My dog and I found this after venturing off the main trail by mile Marker 4. There’s a quaint benched boardwalk where you can sit and chill out in Cedar Lake; you can fish too!
Trail conditions & character
“A truly beautiful little stroll- the boardwalk down to the water and then the hike through the cedar trees.”
“A truly beautiful little stroll- the boardwalk down to the water and then the hike through the cedar trees.”
“It's a quick, quiet little loop that windes through woods and a field and pretty dog friendly.”
“We took our family photos here, and I wish I could share a photo with you that reveals the serene nature of this area, but I can't post a picture of my foster kids at this time.”
“The path is well marked and there appears to be a lot of other things in the area to walk to, which I did not get a chance to explore.”
Plan your run at DeYoung Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteleelanauconservancy.org
- Phone(231) 256-9665
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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