Parks and Recreation
Grand Traverse County has over 1,600 acres of parkland with 20 miles of trails.
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Beitner Park
Beitner Park’s location along the Boardman-Ottaway River makes it a prime paddlecraft put-in and take out point. This park has ample parking, steps down to the river, a seasonal vault toilet, and a small picnic area.
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Camp Greilick
Grand Traverse County's newest park opened in December 2025. It has a storied history as a Boy Scout Camp and is home to trails, a disc golf course, and several lodging and venue options.
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Civic Center
Civic Center Park is a year-round bustling hub in the center of Traverse City. The one-mile walking path draws a million walkers and runners annually and now boasts fitness stations as well as a gravel alternative to the paved trail. For more action and adventure, check out Norte HQ, Campbell Family playground, or the skatepark. In the summertime, the outdoor amphitheater is home to a number of outdoor concerts. Youth and adult baseball and softball games are regular happenings throughout the summer. Indoors, Howe Arena is home to Titans and Trojans high school hockey in the winter, North Michigan Muskies Arena Football in the spring, and TC Roller Derby in the summer. There are also a number of trade shows and expos. The indoor space is also home year-round to the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Central location and the Easling Pool.
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Keystone Soccer Complex
Traverse Bay Area Youth Soccer organization maintains the many well groomed fields for soccer enthusiasts of all ages.
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Maple Bay Park and Natural Area
Maple Bay Natural Area is a 450-acre property that straddles both sides of North U.S. 31. The hiking trails located off the west side parking lot lead to 2,586 feet of pristine shoreline on East Grand Traverse Bay. This park is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species. To access the beach visitors will travel past Maple Bay Farm on the west side of North U.S. 31 to a parking area on top of a bluff where forests meet wildflower fields. MDNR hunting rules broadly apply to this property, including safety zones within 150 yards of an occupied building, house, cabin, or any barn or other building used in a farm operation when hunting is not allowed.
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Medalie Park
Located conveniently as the south trailhead for the mostly paved Boardman Lake Loop Trail, Medalie Park is a great place to start an adventure: by foot, on wheels, or by paddlecraft. A pavilion is available for rental, and if you don’t own a bike or kayak you may rent one from The River Outfitters. Medalie Park is home base for the state and national award-winning Tritons rowing team, who can be seen practicing on the lake all summer. The lakefront and trail, including several bridge vantage points, are fantastic for catching a glimpse of a number of bird species. In 2025, in partnership with the Greenspire School and the Grand Traverse Conservation District, students installed a rain garden to help manage rainwater on-site.
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Natural Education Reserve
The Boardman River Nature Center is a wonderful place for folks of all ages to visit. Behind the Center is a nature playscape and accessible path to a small amphitheater set into the woods. The Grand Traverse Conservation District holds many programs here, including summer camps, field trips, and specialized classes. The NER has a large network of trails over 500 acres of the Boardman-Ottaway river valley, which was once dammed but is being restored. There are multiple trailheads with parking on both the east and west side of the river, with an accessible footbridge planned that will soon connect the two sides. The Jack’s Landing lot is a popular location for picnics and paddlers. Beware- the water can be swift at times! On the east side of the river is the Meyer Farm/Great Lakes Incubator Farm. This innovative program within the Conservation District teaches farmers and the community principles of sustainable agriculture and in the summer months is home to a farmstand.
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Power Island - Bassett Island
This quiet wilderness reserve 202-acre island complex composed of Power and Bassett Islands beckons visitors from points all throughout the bay area. The island is dedicated as a nature preserve and houses several picnic sites, a 15-site campground, trails, geocaching, a public beach, well, and vault toilets. The island is located three miles from the Bowers Harbor DNR public launch on Old Mission Peninsula and six miles from Clinch Marina in Traverse City. It is possible to head to the island via paddlecraft if the water is calm. Many day visitors arrive by personal powerboat or one of the charter companies in the area. The campsites, split between south beach and Bassett Island, are rustic. They are reservable for the upcoming season each year on the first business day in January. Firewood may not be brought to the island but is available for purchase with campsite reservation. Campers should contact the DNR if they intend to park overnight at any boat launch location.
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VASA Pathway
Vasa Trailhead is a four-season playground that has something for everyone. A year-round warming hut provides a gathering area and restroom access. The trailhead itself abuts state land that is home to the Vasa Pathway, an extensive network of two-track and singletrack ranging from easy to challenging. There is also a 3K snowshoe and hiking loop that is scenic, flat, and very approachable for all skill levels. Winter trails are groomed by our partners at TART. A bike skills loop maintained by NMMBA complete with jumps and rollers rounds out Vasa’s offerings.