Young State Park – Boyne City, MI – June 24 to 28, 2015
It was an easy 30 minute drive from Petoskey to Young State Park in Boyne City, Michigan.
About Young State Park: Young State Park protects 560 acres of of gently rolling terrain, lowlands and cedar swamp near the east end of Lake Charlevoix. There are 240 modern campsites spread between 3 different campgrounds. The interior of the park can be explored on 7.3 miles of hiking trails. However, the main attraction is the 1/4 mile of soft sand beach that starts in the day use area and continues along the edge of the Spruce Campground.
The Young State Park Campground
Our home for the next 4 days was campsite 107 in the Spruce Campground. The site was in a good location at the end of the first loop next to the mini cabin. It was only a short walk to the beach and the camp-store.
When I made our reservation I saw on the map that the playground was right behind the site. What I didn’t realize was that the slide for the older part of the play area was pretty much right next to our fire pit. It was nice for keeping an eye on our kids, but there was also more traffic than we would have liked right behind us.
About 150 feet further behind the site there was a more modern play structure.
The Young State Park concession building was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930. It has to be one of the best stocked camp stores in the entire Michigan State Park system. It centrally located in the day use area between the 3 different campgrounds.
The Young State Park Map.
It was a really nice afternoon so we made quick work of setting up camp and headed down to the beach. This is one of the best beaches that you will find on an inland lake. The shallow sandy bottom is perfect for swimming and the water in Lake Charlevoix is always clear and warmer than the Big Lake. It was a busy afternoon and it looked like there were several large groups that were spending the week vacationing together.
Last year we switched from propane to a charcoal grill. So far we have been very happy with our Coleman Table Top Charcoal Grill
The next morning the weather turned on us. It was cloudy and there was a chance of scattered showers all day. We slept in, made a big breakfast and then did some exploring around the State Park on our bikes. After lunch we went for a drive along Lake Charlevoix and then walked around downtown Boyne City. On the way back to the campsite we also stopped at Family Fare to restock our food supplies for the rest of the week. We were lucky, the radar showed showers all around us, but we stayed dry.
After dinner the radar looked like it was clearing up so we drove over to Boyne Mountain to play the disc golf course. We did this course over others nearby mainly for the experience. The course starts up on the ski hill and you can ride the chairlift to get to the top. The summer chair lift ride is free if you are staying at the resort and $7 if you are not. We didn’t realize it was going to be this expensive, but the nice guy at the activity desk gave us a reduced rate for the family.
The mandatory family pic at the top.
Overall it was a pretty fun course to play and we had it all to ourselves. Some of the holes were a little hard for the kids so it was slow going. The course loops back down around to the bottom of the hill along a paved bike path. We played 6 holes and then it started to sprinkle. The kids wanted to ride the chairlift again so we climbed back to the top and downloaded.
Find the current course conditions on DG Course Review.
We got a little wet but on the way back down, but then the sun came out and there was a rainbow ending at the bottom of hill.
There wasn’t a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but we did find Pierson’s Pub and some good appetizers.
We made it back to Young Sate Park just in time for the best sunset of the trip.
The next morning we drove into Boyne City for some coffee and donuts from Johan’s Bakery.
Avalanche Park
After powering up with sugar and caffeine we drove to the south edge of town to climb Avalanche Peak. Avalanche Park is 320 acres and has a 2.2 mile hiking trail, 4.2 mile mountain bike trail, disc golf course and scenic overlook of Lake Charaleviox.
Here is the history of Avalanche Park from the information board: “In the early 1950’s Mayor Sam Arbuckle felt strongly that the youth of Boyne City should have a local ski run. In response the city leased the property at this location, which was then known as McIntyre’s Hill. Volunteer labor was organized to help clear the hill and hand grade the runs, which were too steep for farm tractors to operate on. The first ski lift was a rope tow system that was built by local car mechanics and powered by a rebuilt car motor, The city furnished the material for the first warming house and again all of the labor to compete the project was donated by local volunteers.
The ski run was a success and well used by the community. A club house with restrooms and a short order lunch room was soon built, the rope tow was lengthened and a chair lift was added. In 1960 the property, which was owned by the city, was sold to David E. Cook, who expanded the ski operations and renamed Barn Mountain. Subsequently, the club house suffered fire damage, which was never repaired , causing ski operations at Barn Mountain to cease.
In 1969 Everett Kircher of Boyne Resorts negotiated the purchase of the property, In 1977 the property was donated to the Nature Conservancy, which in the early 1980’s sold the property back to the city for $1.00. However, by that time the deed to the property contained restrictions that prevent the property from being either used for downhill skiing or further developed. Since its return to city ownership, the property has been know as Avalanche Park.
The Park is about 320 acres and contains an ice skating rink, along with hiking, biking and cross-county ski trails. the front hill is approximately 394 feet high, with 462 steps up the front that leads to an overlook which provides a breathtaking view of Lake Charlevoix.”
Heading off on the well worn path to the bottom of the stairs.
Taking a quick break about 3/4 of the way up the 462 steps.
Trying to recreate a picture from a previous visit.
The panoramic view of Lake Charleviox from the overlook. Click the photo to see larger.
Before heading back down we relaxed in the shade and soaked in the view for a while.
We found this and many of our other favorite short hikes in: Best Hikes with Children in Michigan
It was really warming up and after climbing the steps everyone was ready to get to the beach for the rest of the day. I still did not have my fill of Avalanche Park so I jumped on the bike and rode back over from Young State Park. The mountain bike tail starts off the east end of the parking lot and is a loop that is just over 4 miles. It winds around and climbs through a nice forest on the back side of the peak ending at the overlook. From the overlook it is quick drop back down to the tailhead. This time I decided to turn around and try going back down the way I came up. Doing it this way lengthens the ride and was more enjoyable than just bombing down the hill to the end. The total distance for the ride was just over 16 miles.
I heard that improvements are being planned for this tail and it will be interesting to see what they come up with.
For more pictures of the Avalanche Park MTB Trail check out this video from a previous visit >>
It was another nice day on the shore of Lake Charlevoix.
The kids wanted to use the GoPro Camera
Here you can see the nice sandy bottom and clear water at Young State Park.
It is a good idea to have the GoPro Floaty Backdoor
After reading on the beach for a while I decided to take the paddle board out around the corner to the east end of the State Park to see if the upside down tree forest was still standing. I was surprised to see many of the trees were still there. I thought that the shifting ice in the winter would have knocked them all down.
After the paddle boarding it was back to chillaxing. We brought a bunch of snacks and beverages so we could stay on the beach and have happy hour while everyone else was heading up for dinner. It was the best part of the day, but soon our stomachs told us it was time to head up for some real food and a campfire.
The Hill Nature Preserve
The next morning we took a short drive to the Hill Nature Preserve on the north edge of the Boyne City limits. The Hill is part of the Little Traverse Conservancy and the preserve protects 119 acres of rolling hills with a mix of hardwoods, pine plantations and open meadows.
From the LTC website: “In 1966, the families of Dr. Gene Herzog, Dr. John Herzog, and Dr. Lou Mrstik purchased this property for their family to have an “up north” destination. It was used for family gatherings and enjoyment for several decades. In 1996, the families donated a conservation easement to protect it from future development and in 2011, the land was donated to LTC as a nature preserve.”
The Hill Preserve can be explored on 2.5 miles of trails. There are 4 stacked short loops that are accessed by a connector trail. We followed the outside of all the loops in the clockwise direction.
The path was mowed through some of the open meadow areas.
Passing through the Red Pines.
The panoramic view of Lake Charlevoix.
From the overlook it is an easy walk back to the trailhead. The Hill is a nice little preserve that has enough variety to make for an interesting short hike.
Directions to The Hill Preserve.
Find a map and more information at michigantrialmaps.com
After the hike we decided to go for a drive. We had never been in the Wallon Lake area so we decided to check it out. On the east end of the lake there is a nice little shopping area that is anchored by the marina and Barrel Back Restaurant.
There just happened to be a water ski show going on out in front of the restaurant. We decided that it was a good reason to stay for lunch and we were lucky to get a table right by the window of the open air dining area.
Here is a little of the show. We were really glad that we stopped here. The restaurant was very cool and the food was great. We will be back again the next time we are near this area.
See more at: barrel-back.com
It is sitting just outside of the frame of the picture above, but Young State Park was another spot where we got a lot of use of our Wonder Wheeler Beach Cart. Our site was close to the beach access, but it was still nice to have for hauling everything down. We also used it to get firewood from the concession and to even empty our porta potty.
The next morning I wanted to get in quick ride before heading home. I got an early start and headed back over to Boyne Mountain. The trailhead parking is right on the west side of the tennis courts. The trails were fairly well marked, but it was hard to figure out which way I was going at times. I managed to piece to together a good 10 mile ride with almost 1,200 feet of climbing.
I had to earn the view with my legs this time.
There is no access fee for the cross county trails. If the lift is running it a $15 for unlimited lift service on the downhill runs.
More Information at: www.boyne.com/boynemountain/activities/biking
After the morning bike ride it was time to hitch up the camper and head for home. Ending another great vacation in Northern Michigan.
-The End-
Our Favorites:
Wonder Wheeler Beach Cart – Ultra Wide Wheels
Our family doesn’t mind walking a little further than the average person to find the perfect spot on the beach. That’s why the Wonder Wheeler comes with us on every trip, we use it all summer long! It can handle up to 100 lbs. and we don’t need to leave anything behind- beach chairs, boogie boards, 2 umbrellas, cooler of food and drinks, books, towels, everything you need to enjoy a long day at the beach. On sidewalks, boardwalks and hard packed trails the Wonder Wheeler pushes with very little effort. When you get to the soft sand, just turn it around and drag it behind you. The oversized wheels can handle the sand, no problem.
It also comes in handy when a picnic lunch is needed and so is the huge cooler full of food. The Wonder Wheeler makes going to the beach a breeze. The kids aren’t complaining about the walk because their hands are free and they can skip ahead and enjoy the day- and so can you. – MMT Mom
Find Wonder Wheeler Beach Carts on Amazon >>
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