Hike Boardman Lake Trail in Traverse City Michigan! Interactive Map, Photos and Video of the Scenic Bridge, Trails and Lake!
Hike Boardman Lake Trail in Traverse City Michigan | By Sherry Trautman | Travel-MI.com | Updated October 14, 2022
Chris and I love this outstanding 3 mile trail located in Traverse City Michigan. It's perfect for hiking, biking and walking!
You will love walking across the scenic bridge that crosses the Boardman River and connects to the Old Town neighborhood.
Check Out How This Incredible Bridge and Trail!
Boardman Lake Trail Map
Helpful Map Tips:
- Click on the plus and minus in the left corner to zoom in or out of the map.
- Click on the icons for more info, addresses and photos of the stops.
- Click on the map to drag and move it to view surrounding areas.
- In the Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all of our stops. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header.
- In the Header, click on the "square" icon in the upper right side to expand the map for better viewing.
The northern mile of this serene trail is paved, while the southern mile is crushed limestone and boardwalks.
Parking: Access and parking at the north end is off Hannah Road at Hull Park just south of the Traverse Area District Library, and at the south end from Medalie Park in the Logan’s Landing area off South Airport Road.
- I prefer to park at Hull Park as it's very close to the scenic bridge that you can see in my photos and video.
- Parking is free.
Surface: Boardwalk, Crushed limestone, Flat, Paved
Directly north of Hull Park is the Traverse City Community Sailing area. The sail boats and launch areas are so beautiful! The Traverse City Community Sailing offers youth and adult sailing lessons. Looks incredibly peaceful!
Continuing counter-clockwise around Boardman Lake from Hull Park in Traverse City, you will discover this incredibly scenic bridge! I spent about an hour exploring just this area!
Continuing south-west past the bridge, the trail is still paved and follows the river. Trees arch over the pathway and it's absolutely incredible as the trees change in the fall.
The Boardman Lake Trail continues until you reach 14th Street.
History of the Boardman Lake
Per theboardman.org, early European settlers named the river the “Ottawa” after the local band of Native Americans. In 1848, Captain Harry Boardman established a sawmill and acquired timber rights for the area. Captain Boardman stored logs for his sawmill in a natural lake on the Ottawa River, known as “Boardman’s Lake.” Soon the river became known as the “Boardman River.” The river played a vital role in the economic growth of the region as logs were driven downriver to the mills.
Looking For Fun Things to Do in Traverse City?
We have 3 guides that focus on the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and the Heart of the City. Check them out!
- The Cheers Itinerary heads up the Leelanau Peninsula with an Emphasis on Wine Tasting, Sightseeing, Eating and Adventures. Lots of photo opportunities and fun!
- The Juicy Itinerary (below) has an Emphasis on Exploring the Heart (and surrounding region) of Traverse City. We’ll see some iconic sites, check out farms, go hiking, enjoy tours and embark on a Tall Ship excursion. Perfect Itinerary if you are arriving in Traverse City from the South. Lots of photo opportunities and fun!
- The Lush Itinerary has an Emphasis on Sightseeing and Wine Tasting Along the Old Mission Peninsula. Lots of photo opportunities and fun!
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