Michigan Trail Tuesday is our attempt to showcase a different trail or trail segment each week. The Mitten State is home to thousands of miles of trails, including the new Iron Belle Trail that runs from Detroit in the southeast to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula and more miles of the North Country Trail than any other state.

The Traverse City area is home to many great preserves and trails. This summer we were able to visit a few of them, including the Maple Bay Natural Area in Williamsburg. Maple Bay Natural Area is a Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy property that covers more than 450 acres on both sides of U.S. 31, with the main trail system located on the west side of the road. Trails cover 1.75 miles and pass through woods as they make their way to a beautiful sandy beach on East Grand Traverse Bay. This is a great place to relax and enjoy a beach that is much less crowded than those in Traverse City. This property borders the Petobego State Game Area, which allows visitors to extend their hike and increase their chances of seeing some wildlife. The Maple Bay Farm, another GTRLC holding that offers a community garden and interpretive programs.

We parked in the parking area by the main preserve sign, which is reached after driving past the farm. From here there were two trail options: marker #2 starts off the Joe and Kathy Magliocetti Trail (.65 miles) that passes through farm fields before making its way back around to the farm, and the main trail to the beach. We chose the trail heading into the woods to marker #3, which makes an almost immediate downhill trek.

At marker #3 you have a choice of heading to the right into the woods or left towards markers 4, 5, and 6 and the beach. We chose the latter, and found the trail to be wide and well maintained. Signs tell of the storm that came through here in 2015 and devastated the area with 100 mile per hour winds, as well as the plants (pitcher’s thistle, Lake Huron tansy) and wildlife (Eastern meadowlark, pine warbler, Caspian tern) you might encounter during your visit.

Continuing on a route that followed #4 and then #5 we eventually reached the beach. It was early in the day so there were only a few other people around. This peaceful and unspoiled stretch of shoreline is an amazing sight to take in, and across the bay you have a clear view of the Old Mission Peninsula.

We followed the beach north to the point where it rejoins the trail. From marker #6 we continued north into the Petobego State Game Area.

The woods here are full of tall and beautiful trees. Birdwatchers will enjoy listening for the sounds of woodpeckers and other birds and then trying to find them. The trail makes a move back inland at marker #7, then heads south at marker #8.

This was one of my favorite sections of trail at Maple Bay Natural Area, with a carpet of pine needles layered on top of the sandy path as we passed through a beautiful stand of trees. It wasn’t long before we were back at marker #3, where we headed left and uphill to the parking lot where we had started.

If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy some time in nature, Maple Bay Natural Area is a great place that showcases the excellent work the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has done in the area. From Traverse City, head north on U.S. 31 for roughly 13 miles. Look for the sign and entrance drive on the left side of the road just after the large white farmhouse.