The Dragon - Newaygo Michigan

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Views

This is a long 45-mile trail with a good mix of some easy, flowy, and challenging climbs.

On the north side of the trail, you can grab sandwiches and water at the Marina. Lots of campgrounds around the lake and I think most of these have water and restrooms available if needed.

We started at the Sandy Beach Campground (Mile 41) and rode clockwise. The idea was to get the tougher sections out of the way while we were still fresh. The first section did seem to have the most climbing.

As you move north, the climbs are not strenuous. There are a few sections in the northwest section, about 19 miles in (Mile marker 22), that you start to run on streets or gravel roads for a mile or two. There is a marina on the final section of road where you can grab sandwiches and refill water.

The eastern section seemed to be much flatter and rolling terrain. There were a few sections where we had to ride through campgrounds and did manage to miss the trail signs, so a little back and forth in these areas. Towards the southeastern end of the trail, it switched over to a wider bike path before getting to the Hardy Dam (Mile marker 45). The route takes you over the dam on a very narrow walking path. I felt nervous biking across on the walking path as sections were uneven and covered with sand, and the gap between the guard rail and fence was tight. I felt like my handlebars might clip the fence. I would recommend riding on the road across the dam. After crossing the dam, we were about 3 miles back to the Sandy Beach Campsite.