Exploring the Nagonaba Trail near Northport

Frog art installation along the trail

By Joan Young, Contributing Writer

LEELANAU COUNTY — Northport, nearly at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula (northwest of Traverse City and sometimes called Michigan’s little finger), is a village most known as a scenic, event, and shopping destination for tourists.  Various festivals throughout the summer attract participants to drive out of their way to attend such things as a fishing derby, a fly-in breakfast, a car show, or a winter festival. The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located at the very tip of the peninsula within Leelanau State Park. The state park boasts 8.5 miles of hiking trails.

But what if you are in town with a dedicated shopper and wish you could take a short break in quieter and more natural surroundings. You’re in luck!

The Nagonaba Trail system is part of the Braman Hill Recreation Area, just a quarter-mile from downtown via West Nagonaba Street. Or, if you have a vehicle, drive west on Third Street to Morningside Drive where you will find parking, restrooms, basketball, a skate park, toddler playground, tennis and pickleball courts. From the parking area, the Nagonaba Trails head north, south, or east. The east branch is the one which leads to town.

There are at least five miles of trail, although since the main portion is not looped, you have to backtrack to some extent to get back to your car.

Don’t miss the scenic overlook at the top of Braman Hill. At almost 200 feet higher than the level of Lake Michigan there is a nice view of the Grand Traverse Bay and the main portion of the mitten. You can drive to the overlook or include it as part of a foot tour. There are picnic tables, benches and a fire ring on the hilltop.

A moderate amount of topography makes the mostly natural-surface, and mostly shaded, trails interesting. The trail does run the length of Morningside Drive before heading into the woods in its three directions. The overlook is to the west. The system is multi-use, so bicyclists may be present.

The northern trail curves around the golf course and terminates at Eighth Street. You could double back, or return to town via streets which would be about a mile.

The southern trail terminates on East Johnson Road in the Soper Natural Area. From there it’s, again, approximately a mile to return to town via Johnson Road and M22 if you don’t care to double back. However, there are trails I did not have time to explore, including a boardwalk through an attractive marshy area which appears to create at least a small loop.

The connection to West Nagonaba Street is pleasant, passing near Northport Creek where there is a large art installation, a silver frog. There is parking at the Nagonaba Street Trailhead.

Trail maps are posted at many junctions, and I found that the Open Streets Map (free on many mapping apps) is accurate as to trail locations. Dogs are allowed. Water is available at the restrooms. Nagonaba is an Ottawa name of one of the early leaders of the mission founded by Chief Waukazoo and Reverend Joseph Smith.

If one wanted a full day of outdoor exploration, combining this with the Leelanau State Park Trails would provide ample opportunities in the Leelanau Peninsula.

View of Grand Traverse Bay from the trail.

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