Bay View Trail

Distance
Total of 8 miles of trails divided into loops

Terrain
Hilly

Vegetation
Beech-maple forest, fields and pine plantation

Comments
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

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Bay View Trail Map

NPS Map 2006

 

Charles Olsen Farm from the Bay View Trail

Kerry Kelly 2005

The Charles Olsen Farm is located on M-22 and is home to Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. As you can see from the photo, the Bay View Trail runs just behind the barn and silo. Stop and walk around the buildings and stop in at the house to learn more about the Port Oneida area while you are hiking the Bay View Trail.

 

Port Oneida School

Kerry Kelly 2006

The Port Oneida School is located near the Bay View Trail. Stop and pump some water and rest your weary bones on the front porch or a picnic table under a tree near the school.

 

Miller Barn from the Bay View Trail

Kerry Kelly 2006

The Miller Barn is located near the Bay View Trail. Take a short detour from the trail and walk around the barn and explore the site of the Miller Homestead. You will see where the house used to be and be able to find some old farm machinery near the barn. Looking over the fields, you can begin to feel what it might have been like to live and farm this land.

 

View of South Manitou Island from the Bay View Trail Overlook.

Kerry Kelly 2006

Hiking the Bay View trail gives you several beautiful vistas of Lake Michigan, the farms, and North and South Manitou Islands. This view is from the bench on top of the hill just across Thoreson Road from the trailhead. The hike to the overlook is about 0.5 miles from the trailhead.

 

Lookout Point is a favorite spot for photographers.

Kerry Kelly 2006

Lookout Point on the Bay View trail gives you a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding fields and wooded hills. Have a seat on the bench and take in the majestic beauty of this spot. Bring your camera and capture the moment. You will have several great photo opportunities along the trail.