By Wendy Sinicki
Tucked in the southeastern corner of Newaygo County is a wonderful place to spend time hiking, especially with the family. The Ensley Township Nature Preserve, 6985 136th Street, Sand Lake, just west of Cypress Avenue, is designed with children in mind.
When you arrive, there is a nice parking lot that is anchored by a two-story lookout tower that will whet any kid’s energy meter. A porta-john bathroom, swing set and a pavilion for a picnic round out this area for a walk in the woods. The outside looping ring, the Deer Trail, is nine-tenths of a mile around the perimeter of the preserve. It is color-coded (blue painted on trees) along the trail and also marked by tree slices with a deer outlined burned into the wood. Along the route is a trellis tunnel with climbing vines, bogs and many bird and bat houses attached to trees.
Photo courtesy of Wendy Sinicki
At the back or north property line, a nice deck gives you a view of a small lake. Then, depending on the energy level and stamina, you can continue the loop or head back to the parking lot by taking the Fox Trail-coded (orange) that is nearly a half mile back to the parking lot and has a bridge over some interesting wet lands.
If you continue the loop, about three-quarters of the way, is another trail option called the Squirrel (yellow) for a short tenth of a mile and connects to the Fox Trail. Another option is the Rabbit Trail, which is a little longer and connects to the deer loop near the parking area.
Sprinkled along the trails are bogs, small and swampy areas with frogs, turtles and chipmunks. Even with so many trail options, it is always an easy hike back to the parking lot if a bathroom break is needed or today isn’t a good one for hiking. The other bonus of the nature preserve is the many benches it provides to sit peacefully and observe the birds, squirrels and other animals, perform their daily activities. This is a great family outing tucked in a corner but well worth the trip. For a trail map or more information: http://www.ensleytownship.org/nature_preserve.htm
Feel the ADRENALINE… with the world’s heaviest motorsport!
A need for power and speed is a desire dating back to the chariot races of ancient Rome. It’s a safe bet to say that there is no other sport quite like Truck and Tractor Pulling. The guys and gals that harness these incredibly high-powered machines on the weekends are...
Spring Brings New Life to Newaygo County
For a growing number of residents, that new life is in the form of baby chicks. As “Backyard Birding” continues to grow in popularity, many communities are amending or passing laws that allow residents to raise chickens. With most breeds laying an average of 3-4 eggs...
As the ice melts from Croton Pond, a new season drips into Newaygo County
As the ice melts from Croton Pond and we cautiously put away our snow shovels, a new season drips into Newaygo County. With cold evenings and warm, or at least above freezing daytime temperatures, Maple Syrup season begins to take off at Grey Dog Maple Farms. Situated...
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail. This winter, my fiancé, two dogs, and I had the chance to check out the trail for the first time and we all quickly fell in love. In fact, we did not just go once, we went twice within the...
Newaygo County is the Perfect Place to Experience 1000 Hours Outside!
My family and I are avid outdoors people. More often than not, you can find us outside enjoying the four seasons of beautiful Michigan weather. From rivers and forests to trails and adventures, we’re pretty blessed to be able to explore Newaygo County that boasts the...
Q & A With a local SLEDHEAD and Snowmobiling Etiquette 101
My family has grown up in the Newaygo County area and we have been riding snowmobiles off the LP3 Trail system for years. When you see the staging parking lots full on a Saturday morning, it feels good to know the area businesses are going to see some out of county...
A Dazzling Light Display at Croton Township Campground!
There is something magical about Christmas light displays that bring out the child in all of us. Memories of car rides to see the neighborhood lights, with noses pressed to the window, are rekindled. These memories can be relived, and new ones created, in Newaygo...
Fremont’s own Award-winning prairie
Fall is my favorite season, hands-down. Between the fall colors, harvest festivals and some fresh-pressed apple cider, I’m one happy girl. A fall favorite event of ours is Fremont’s Hay Art and this year it was extra special. While out exploring the city’s Hay...
White Cloud- Trail Town Hidden Gems
If you venture a few yards off M-37, you will find some amazing hidden gems within White Cloud city limits that most travelers don’t know exist. Hidden Gem #1 If you're heading North into town, Rotary Park is the first stop you’ll make. Taking a right on James Street...
Take me Down to the River: High Rollway Adventures
High Rollway is a roadside park located in Brooks Township off M-82, less than ten minutes from Downtown Newaygo. From the road, the park looks like an ordinary grassy area to park and stretch your legs after a long car ride. However, this park is a hidden gem just...
Let’s Talk About Bogs!
On todays episode of our outdoor family adventures, we ventured out to Camp Newaygo's Wetland Trail! Nestled in Camp Newaygo, the Wetland Trail is the only one of its kind in Michigan. What makes this so unique is that the one-mile round-trip trail crosses through the...
Family Adventures at Coolbough Natural Area
My family and I are avid outdoors people. Our ideal day would be to do something outdoorsy from sunup to sundown. From hunting and fishing, to hiking trails and exploring new places, it’s something we all can connect and bond over, while giving our family the outdoor...
Never Underestimate a Woman With a Chainsaw
Growing up, my grandparents were farmers, and my grandpa and uncle were really into steam engines , restoring one and building one from scratch. They would go to steam engine shows and by chance at one of them, they met a group of lumberjacks doing a show. They...
Labor Day Weekend Logging Festival
The Logging Festival in Newaygo has been a part of Labor Day weekend for more than 60 years. I have been trying to research the changes throughout the years and have learned that while some of the weekend’s events and activities have changed, the common theme of...
Exploring Challenge: An 8 year old’s adventure
Having a mom that is involved in a million things has its perks every now and then. As Newaygo County Tourism Council President, I had the opportunity to share the new Newaygo County Exploring Challenge with my kids as soon as it was approved. Over the past few...
A Newbie’s Experience With The White River
Like most who grew up in Michigan, water has always been my happy place. From boating on the big lake, jet skiing on the inland lakes, tubing down the Muskegon River, and most recently kayaking, any day in water is a good day. My new found love of kayaking took me on...
Star Parties Return!
Great news from the S.F. Wessling Observatory! Read on to learn more, or visit their new website: http://www.newaygocd.org/kropscott-and-observatory.html We are pleased to announce that the S. F. Wessling Observatory will conduct its first 2021 Star Party on Saturday...
Mountain Biking Saved My Life… an experience with The Dragon!
Mountain biking saved my life….well, that’s an exaggeration, but it definitely improved my overall quality of life. I moved up to Newaygo county last August from Calhoun county, were I thoroughly enjoyed the trails of Fort Custer. However, by this time I was a new...
