Yankee Springs State Recreation Area is a
state-managed protected area located in
Yankee Springs Township
Yankee Springs Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,065 at the 2010 census. The township includes Yankee Springs State Park, a popular tourist destination in the summer. The name was t ...
in
Barry County,
Michigan
Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
.
The park is in area. It has 120 rustic, 200 modern and 25 equestrian camping sites, plus two cabins. There are of cross-county ski/hiking trails, of mountain biking trails and of equestrian trails. of the
North Country Trail pass through the park. 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.
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.
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.
Facilities and activities
Facilities and activities include a beach area, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, equestrian, permanent
orienteering
Orienteering is a group of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain whilst moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a s ...
course,
mountain bike
A mountain bike (MTB) or mountain bicycle is a bicycle designed for off-road cycling. Mountain bikes share some similarities with other bicycles, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain, which ...
trails, and in winter,
cross country ski trails, snowshoeing, and groomed
fatbike trails.
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References
External links
Yankee Springs Recreation Area and Barry State Game Area Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Yankee Springs Camping ReservationsMichigan DNR
Yankee Springs Recreation AreaPackYourGear.com
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Protected areas of Barry County, Michigan
Important Bird Areas of Michigan
State recreation areas of Michigan
Mountain biking venues in the United States