Bay View Trail

Bayview Trail directional sign

Quick Facts

Location:

GPS Coordinates 44.934,-85.9497

Amenities

2 listed

Parking - Auto, Trailhead

Hiking Bay View

Located off of South Thoreson Rd, the Bay View Trail provides views of Lake Michigan and the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. There are several loops of different lengths and difficulties. Bicycles are to remain on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

Pets prohibited December 1 - March 31.

Distance
Total of 8 miles of trails divided into loops

Farm Loop: 2.4 mi
Easy hike and ski - Wanders through farms and fields and by an historic schoolhouse to Lookout Point. Lookout Point gives a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding countryside. The trail along the edge of the woods on top of the bluff overlooks fields of wildflowers and former farmland with Lake Michigan in the background.

Ridge Loop: 4 mi
Moderate hike, advanced ski - The low trail leads through fields and forest. The high trail follows the ridge for views of Lake Michigan.

Terrain
Hilly

Vegetation
Beech-maple forest, fields and pine plantation

Are you prepared to hike in the Lakeshore? Follow these safety tips.

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Share the Trail

Approximately 2.5 miles of the Bay View trail, located closest to M-22 between the Homestead Resort and Port Oneida Road, is shared with the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. 

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Biking the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

A delight to ride, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is one of Michigan's most beautiful biking trails. A 10-foot-wide picturesque path that winds idyllically through the pristine, tranquil forests and undulating hills of the Lakeshore, the multi-use trail connects major attractions in Sleeping Bear Dunes and is suitable for recreational use by cyclists, wheelchair users, runners pushing baby strollers, and rollerbladers.

Pets are NOT allowed on this trail from December 1 to March 31 .

While most of the terrain is fairly easy, all ages can enjoy the trail. There are a couple of steeper segments, but these climbs are almost immediately rewarded by swift descents, and benches and picnic tables along the trail offer a place to rest and take in the sounds and sights of the cool forest or bask in the warm beach sun.

The SBHT is managed and maintained by Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and an excellent map of the trail which can show trailheads, parking, water, steep climbs, etc. 

Bay View Trailhead

Nestled between the Kelderhouse cemetery and the Kelderhouse Farm, the Port Oneida access point to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail has parking and vault toilets. This segment between Glen Arbor and Port Oneida takes riders through another part of the park: over wetlands, through forests, and into the rural historic landscape of Port Oneida.

Part of this section-from west of the Bay View Trailhead to about .1 miles past Narada Lake-is not paved but is crushed limestone, in keeping with the historic character of the district. It can be ridden fairly easily by road bikes and easily by hybrids or mountain bikes. Some runners prefer it. It is not recommended for rollerblades nor is it groomed in the winter for XC skiing.

Winter skiing
In winter, the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes grooms segments of the trail for both classic Nordic skiers and skaters as well as providing a lane for snowshoers.
 

Trail Etiquette

• Show consideration for other trail users
• Stay on trail to be respectful of plants and wildlife
• Stop at road crossings
• Ride single file when other users are present
• Ride slow and steady
• Wear a helmet while skating or riding
• Stay to right and alert others by saying "on your left" when passing
• Do not block trail - please move to the side when stopped on trail
• Keep pets on a leash
• Dispose of all trash and animal waste in trash receptacles
• Trail users need a park pass
• Some of the SBHT passes through or in front of private property. Be careful and respectful of the rights of these property owners