Yankee Springs State Recreation Area
Map showing the location of Yankee Springs State Recreation Area
Map showing the location of Yankee Springs State Recreation Area
Location within the state of Michigan
Map showing the location of Yankee Springs State Recreation Area
Map showing the location of Yankee Springs State Recreation Area
Yankee Springs Recreation Area (the United States)
LocationYankee Springs Township, Barry County, Michigan, USA
Nearest cityMiddleville, Michigan
Coordinates42°36′46″N 85°29′28″W / 42.61278°N 85.49111°W / 42.61278; -85.49111[1]
Area5,200 acres (2,100 ha)
Established1943
Governing bodyMichigan Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteOfficial website

Yankee Springs State Recreation Area is a state-managed protected area located in Yankee Springs Township in Barry County, Michigan.

The park is 5,200 acres (21 km2) in area. It has 120 rustic, 200 modern and 25 equestrian camping sites, plus two cabins. There are 30 miles (48 km) of cross-county ski/hiking trails, 12 miles (19 km) of mountain biking trails and 9 miles (14 km) of equestrian trails. 6 miles (9.7 km) of the North Country Trail pass through the park. 30 miles (48 km) or more of seasonal two lane roads open to any road legal vehicles and is a popular destination for Enduro Riders. Nine lakes, Gun Lake being the largest, provide fishing, boating and swimming.

Points of interest in the park include the Devil's Soupbowl, a glacially carved kettle formation, Graves Hill Scenic Overlook, The Pines and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era buildings.[3][4]

The park hosted the annual Barry-Roubaix cycling race for several years, prior to the event moving to Hastings, MI to accommodate a larger number of participants; the race course still traverses parts of the recreation area.[5][6]

History

In the 1830s, the Yankee Springs area was opened up for homesteading. By the 1930s the land was eroded and depleted from farming. The federal government acquired the land and the CCC began reforesting the area. In 1943 the land was turned over to the State of Michigan and became a park in the state park system.[4]

Facilities and activities

Facilities and activities include a beach area, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, equestrian, permanent orienteering course,[7][8] mountain bike trails,[9] and in winter, cross country ski trails, snowshoeing, and groomed fatbike trails.[10][11]

References

  1. ↑ "Yankee Springs Recreation Area". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  2. "Yankee Springs Recreation Area". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  3. ↑ Yankee Springs Recreation Area Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  4. 1 2 "History, camping at Long Lake". Penasee Globe. Advance Newspapers. May 28, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  5. ↑ Meyerson, Howard (21 Mar 2010). "Cyclists take to gravel roads in Barry-Roubaix". The Grand Rapids Press. Barry County, Michigan. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  6. ↑ Bures, Frank (13 Mar 2013). "On the Groad: Gravel riding has exploded over the past few years. Frank Bures tries to figure out where it's going -- and if that even matters". Outside Online. MI. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  7. ↑ Dits, Joseph (21 September 2014). "Orienteering offers unique way to explore woods". South Bend Tribune. South Bend, IN. Retrieved 17 Apr 2015.
  8. ↑ "Permanent Orienteering Course". www.michigano.org. Southwest Michigan Orienteering Club. 2013. Retrieved 17 Apr 2015.
  9. ↑ "Yankee Springs Recreation Area map". mmba.org. Michigan Mountain Biking Association. 2009. Retrieved 17 Apr 2015.
  10. ↑ The county roads that border the park are suitable for road biking as well. Myerson, Howard (1 Feb 2015). "Groomed fat-tire bike trails growing more numerous in Michigan". mlive.com. Retrieved 17 Apr 2015.
  11. ↑ "Yankee Springs Recreation Area". www.michigandnr.com. State of Michigan, Department of Natural Resources. 2015. Retrieved 17 Apr 2015.
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