Michigan Trail Tuesday: Treat Farm Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Michigan Trail Tuesday is our attempt to showcase a different trail or trail segment each week. The Mitten State is home to thousands of miles of trails, including the new Iron Belle Trail that runs from Detroit in the southeast to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula and more miles of the North Country Trail than any other state.
We’ve been to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore many times and have visited beaches, historic sites, and mile after mile of trail. This summer we were able to return and tackle a few trails we had never been to before, including the lesser-known Treat Farm Trail. This short but scenic trail passes through a farm where the barn, farmhouse, and several outbuildings still stand before it heads to the Lake Michigan shoreline and offers some fantastic views from above the dunes.
You won’t find any big signs or a dedicated parking lot for this trail like the ones at Empire Bluffs or Pyramid Point. Parking is available on the shoulder of Norconk Rd. just west of M-22, across from the Tweddle Farm (look for the bright red barn). The farmhouse here is used as housing for NPS workers, so be sure to not block the driveway. You will see a gate blocking an old two-track at the point where Norconk Rd. curves and that is where the hike begins.
The trail is wide and gradually works its way uphill for about half a mile before reaching the barn and the sign for the farm.
In addition to the barn, several outbuildings survive here. You can also see a circular garage and a root cellar. Head uphill to the right to see the 1880s farmhouse before coming back down to the barn to finish the trail.
The trail narrows as it passes through a field. Keep your eyes peeled for butterflies, flowers, and birds as you pass through here. After another quarter mile a sandy trail to the right heads straight uphill – this is the option if you’d like to reach the top of the dunes. We chose to continue on the flat path and see what the view was like.
This video gives a look at what the approach to the bluff is like. There are no fences or guardrails here, so use caution near the edge and enjoy the view from a safe distance. I was quite impressed with the view and glad we could see the lake and the dunes as our visit fell during the peak of the wildfire smoke and low air quality in July.
The Treat Farm Trail is a great stop for those looking to escape the crowds in other parts of the park. Despite visiting during one of the busiest months of the summer, we only saw 10-15 other people during our visit. The trail wasn’t too demanding and offered plenty of shade (in the first half) as well as some great scenery – this is one we will be back to soon!