Boardman Valley Nature Preserve

Boardman River

The 90.81-acre Boardman Valley Nature Preserve (BVNP) follows the west side of the Boardman River south from Airport Road, and includes opportunities for hiking, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, tennis, beach volleyball, soccer, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting (with prior Township approval), and nature watching. The Reserve was established in 2002 with money received from a State of Michigan Trust Fund Grant, and includes over a mile of Boardman River frontage and around 1.5 miles of unpaved hiking trails. Abutting the Garfield Nature Reserve directly to the south is the Grand Traverse County Natural Education Reserve, offering an additional 400-plus acres of land and seven miles of improved pathways.  Including the portion of the Natural Education Reserve facility that is within Blair Township, these two areas offer more than 500-acres of natural area and over eight miles of trails! Link to Grand Traverse County Natural Education Reserve 

Boardman Valley Nature Preserve bridge

As you hike these trails you'll follow the river closely in spots, walk through stands of cedar trees and over wooden bridges, pass wetlands, and cross meadows. Scattered throughout the cedar groves are numerous picnic tables for a shaded lunch spot! Also dispersed along the trail are a number of observation/fishing decks overlooking the river.

 The Boardman Valley Nature Preserve is accessed via the parking lot adjacent to the adjacent to the YMCA on Racquet Club Drive. Public restrooms are available within the YMCA building. For recreational opportunities at the YMCA, please follow this link: Grand Traverse Bay YMCA

 Did you know? The world-famous Adams dry fly, which has helped anglers land countless trout, was created in 1922 by local fly tier Leonard Halladay and first used on the Boardman River by Charles F. Adams!  Cool!