Michigan’s Dragon Trail at Hardy Dam has been named one of the best new mountain bike trails in the United States set to open in 2024.
In December, Singletracks, a premier mountain biking publication, named The Dragon Trail the Best New Backcountry Trail out of over 250 reader nominations.
While this is a fairly long ride, Singletracks describes it as anything but a “humdrum” cross country trail. The 45-mile loop is divided into 11 different segments, each with its own distinct characteristics. Some segments are easier and more fluid, while others are rockier and more feature-rich.
According to the publication, the Dragon represents the pinnacle of a trend that began this year with new trail projects opening across the Midwest.
“We’re talking about purpose-built, feature-rich, natural surfaces like berms, turns, rock features, everything,” Dan Frayer, president of the West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance, stated in the article. “So when you ride it, it is, to me, 45 miles of an absolute dirt roller coaster.”
Mecosta County Parks Superintendent Jeff Abel said it’s no surprise that the Dragon Trail is gaining popularity among mountain bikers.
“It was certainly an honor to hear that we were named one of the best new trails in the U.S.A. and the Best New Backcountry Trail for 2024,” Abel told me. “I believe anyone who has been on the trail will agree that the route was well-planned, and the trail construction is world-class.
I believe that as more people have the opportunity to experience the entire 45-mile loop, the positive momentum will continue among mountain bikers, hikers, and winter sports enthusiasts.”
Newaygo County Parks and Recreation Director Nick Smith agreed, saying Singletracks is one of the best mountain biking publications and it is “really cool to see that (ranking).”
“We are really excited about it,” Smith said. “We all know the Dragon is pretty impressive, and based on the feedback I’ve received over the last year from people all over the country, I knew it was one of the best trails.
“I don’t think any of us were shocked that people thought that way, but we were really excited that the word is out,” he told me. “That is a big deal for us.
That is why we built the Dragon: to attract more people to the area and help boost the local economy. When a national publication covers it like that, it’s a big deal.”
According to Smith, a group from Colorado rides the trail every year, as do people from as far away as California.
“Of course, our local mountain bikers think it is the best trail around, but when people are driving from Colorado and California because they heard about the trail, that’s pretty exciting,” Smith told me. “It is exciting to hear that people from other places say it is one of the best trails they have ever been on.”
According to Abel, trail users frequently comment on the trail’s beauty and the surrounding landscape, including the forest environment and the “breathtaking overlooks” of Hardy Dam Pond.
“Trail users rave about how well thought out and constructed the trail is,” Abel told me. “Mountain bikers especially enjoy the way the trail flows over the terrain as it twists and turns through the undeveloped landscape, as well as how the ravines along the trail keep things interesting with elevation changes, switchbacks, and bridge crossings.”
Hikers enjoy the tranquility of being in the woods and the beauty of the bridge crossings and overlooks.”
He stated that people are willing to drive from multiple states to experience the trail system, and he encourages anyone who lives within an hour or two of the trail to plan a visit by 2025.
“You will not be disappointed with the experience,” he assured me.
Although they do not yet have the most recent trail usage figures, both Abel and Smith expect the totals for the year to exceed 100,000.
“We expect the counter data to be pulled and calculated within the next few weeks as we start the new year,” Abel informed me. “We expect the numbers will show more than 100,000 trail users visited during the 2024 season.”
Smith said that even before the trail’s grand opening in September, he noticed more mountain bikes than boats in the campgrounds, which was eye-opening.
“I never thought I would see such a thing,” Smith said. “Hardy Pond is a boating and fishing area, and I never expected to see more bikes than boats, but that is exactly what I saw last year. A lot of hikers, too.”
Now that the trail has been completed, future plans will include special mountain biking events as well as other types of special events, but these will most likely not take place until 2026.
“Our primary focus up until now has been getting the trail completed and adding amenities to enhance the user experience, such as better signage, improved trailheads, better parking areas and touching up portions of the trail as they have settled,” Abel told me.
“We are continuing to look at ways in which we can upgrade visitor amenities over the coming years, along with consideration of an event process and the associated requirements necessary to begin to host events.”
Smith said he and Abel will collaborate to develop a special events policy for the trail system.
“Being such a big trail, it is not an easy undertaking, with many different fire departments and emergency first responder agencies involved,” Smith informed the crowd. “We are collabora
ting with these individuals to put something together so that we can begin accepting applications for trail events. That is the next big step—having events along the trail to bring in even more people.”
Friends of the White Pine Trail vice chair Paul Griffith stated that accolades like this will undoubtedly help to spread the Dragon name now that it has been completed.
Smith stated that officials from both counties are excited to see the trail completed and the impact it has on the community.
People are buying property near the trail, he said, and one developer has already built the Dragon Adventures Base Camp, which is centered around the trail and will include campsites.
Smith expects to see more of that in the coming years.
For the second consecutive year, the Mecosta County and Newaygo County park systems will offer a common Regional Pass for $60, which grants access to all county parks in both counties.
In addition, the $14 Michigan Passport tab on the license plate allows entry into Newaygo State Park, one of five public parks along the Dragon Trail.
