The Drag on Trail • Hardy D Am P Ond W Ater Trail
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West Michigan Trails The first 11.5 miles of The Dragon Trail Cypress isis nownow2 Mile openopen fromfrom HardyHardy DamDam CountyCounty MarinaMarina 2 Mile 8 Mile 20 8 Mile toto BigBig BendBend Park.Park. to Big Rapids 230th E Orion Elder Pierce Pierce a Elm Cottonwood 230th ewcost Old State Newcosta N 131 1 Mile 1 Mile 7 Mile 7 Mile 20 Birch Polk Polk 4 Wilderness 215th Cottonwood BaseliBaselinene 20 6 Mile to White Cloud The Dragon Trail • Hardy Dam Pond Water Trail Water Pond Dam • Hardy Trail The Dragon Old State Rd Trails Legend Beech Cherry 4th Tyler MTB/Hiking Trail Under Development Aspen Highways 210th 220th Butterfly Arcadia 230th Roads 8th 8th 5 Mile Cypress The Dragon Trail Public Access Access Site Parking Restrooms Water Camping Boat 12th St 12th Van Buren 131 Launch Newcosta 1 Hardy Dam Elm Avenue Elm County Marina Yes Portable No No Yes Cottonwood Oakwood 16th 2 Sandy4 BeachMile County Park Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Nash 3 Big Bend Park Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Sumac Pfeiffer Federal 4 Brower County Park Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 20th Camp Forest 9457 5 Newaygo State Park d 200th on Boat Launch Yes Vault Yes 205th Yes Yes 212th P 220th am D y 3 6 Oxbow Park Yes Yes 3 MileYes Yes Yes rd a H 7 Operators Village Sportsman Ray Day Park Yes Vault Yes No Beach 28th 6 Monroe 5 Brady 30th 2 Newaygo Lake State Park Pasadena 230th 131 32nd 2 Mile Lake Brady Elm Avenue Elm Knight Sandra Owen to Grand Rapids Beech 215th Newcosta Mary 1 36th Jefferson Hardy Dam to Newaygo 0 0.25 0.5 1 1.5 2 7 220th Croton Hardy Chestnut ©2021 Rockford Advertising. All rights reserved. Miles 40th 1 Mile 1 Mile The Dragon Trail The new 11.5-mile section from Hardy Dam County Marina to Big Bend Park meanders along the edge of Hardy Dam Pond After more than 10 years of planning, engineering, fundraising, beneath majestic white pines through rolling hills and mature forest. and approvals by Consumers Energy and the Federal Energy This out-and-back trail is open year round. It passes through Sandy Regulatory Commission, three sections of The Dragon Trail are Beach County Park, a good place to camp with access to the trail. now open and ready for your enjoyment. The 1.5-mile trail loop at Brower County Park was recently When completed, the trail will make a 47-mile loop around completed and is also open year round. You’ll find the trailhead Hardy Dam Pond, a reservoir on the Muskegon River created when behind the amphitheater at the upper boat launch parking area. Consumers Energy built the Hardy Hydroelectric Dam in 1931 on At the Newaygo State Park boat ramp, about a half mile of trail is a site once known as “The Oxbow.” The trail gets its name from completed on the east and west sides of the boat ramp traveling the shape of the reservoir which resembles a Chinese dragon. along the edge of the lagoon and reservoir. Officially known as “Michigan’s Dragon at Hardy Dam,” this Trail construction will continue this summer. If these three professionally designed and built trail was specifically engineered new sections are any indication of what’s to come, The Dragon is as a rolling grade “flow” trail optimized for mountain biking, but destined to become one of America’s great destination mountain also well suited for hiking, and fat biking during the winter season. biking and hiking trails. For more information, visit: TheDragon.us You will appreciate the attention to detail as the trail follows the natural contours of the hillsides and along the edges of Hardy Dam Pond with several bridges and scenic overlooks. Hardy Dam Pond Water Trail This is a two-way trail system. Riders yield to hikers. With nearly 4,000 acres of surface area and more than 50 miles of Descending riders yield to climbing riders. Most of the trail is scenic shoreline, Hardy Dam Pond is a great place for paddling, intermediate level. Some sections are more strenuous requiring fishing and pleasure boating. You’ll find camping and easy access all greater physical ability and technical skill. Stay alert and always around the Pond, including 3 county parks, 3 township parks, practice good trail etiquette. Newaygo State Park and several private resorts and boat launches. Michigan Trails Magazine 2021 • www.MiTrails.org • ©2021 Rockford Advertising. All rights reserved..