As avid mountain bikers who have traveled the country riding the best trails you can find, Amy and I are proud to say that Newaygo County has some of the best trails in existence! In fact, the main motivator for our recent move to Newaygo County was The Dragon trail. We are so passionate about this trail that we moved here full-time so we could enjoy it every weekend, year-round.

Between the stunning scenery, lookout points, and deep-woods feel, we couldn’t be happier to call this trail system our “backyard.” Come see for yourself why we decided to make Newaygo our permanent home!

This 45-mile, 11-segment multi-use loop around Hardy Pond was recently named the “Best New Backcountry Trail” of 2024 by Singletracks, and the hype is real. 

Built for Every Rider

The Dragon took over 10 years to complete and was built with every riding ability in mind. Professional builders designed it to flow perfectly in both directions, allowing for everything from a casual 30-minute ride to a 5-hour adventure excursion.

• 11 Unique Sections: The trail features 11 distinct segments, each with its own flavor and style.
• Flow That Flows and Keeps Flowing: Sections 3 and 4, located between Brower Park and Newaygo State Park, are some of the flowiest sections and hard not to smile on while riding!
• Hills Pay the Bills: Section 9 is one of the hilliest sections of the full trail. But remember: what goes up must come down, so strap on your seatbelt and enjoy the descents!
• The Ultimate Challenge: We consider Section 7 to be the most challenging stretch. As the newest section, it features six bridges, creek crossings, and slab rock climbs and descents that make for fast, technical riding.
• Twisty Turny Fasty Bermy: Sections 2, 5, 8, and 10 are the flatter sections of the trail that keep you guessing with many twists and turns.
• Accessible Adventure: There is a dedicated ADA section (Section 1) on the southeast side, which is perfect for wheelchair or trike-style bikes.

Plan Your Adventure

Because the trail is so expansive with numerous trailheads, you could visit all summer long and get a different ride experience every time.

• Stay and Ride: There are many camping and cabin options around the trail, allowing you to ride your bike right from your front door to the trailhead, including Dragon Adventures Base Camp.
• Mapping and Directions: We use Trailforks, which is a great app for planning your ride. AllTrails and Strava are also excellent for on-trail tracking and navigation.
• Hydration and Food: We suggest planning your food and drink accordingly. While the campgrounds around Hardy Pond are open for filling water bottles, keep in mind they are closed during the winter months.
• Bike Rental Options: Don’t have a bike? No problem! Check out local rental options and bring a family member or friend to introduce them to mountain biking.
• Shuttle Services: For a unique experience, use our shuttle to pick you up at your car and drop you 5 to 30 miles out. It is also a great idea to keep our shuttle service number (231-888-7433) with you on the trail just in case you need assistance!

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The details above are just enough information about The Dragon Trail to scratch the surface! Amy and I (Mark Deering) are the owners of Dragon Adventures Base Camp, and we have so much more information we can give to help make your trip a 10 out of 10. Located just a half-mile from the trail, we provide everything you need to hit the dirt, from camping and cabin stays to bike rentals and shuttle services. We keep bike repair items on hand to ensure you stay on the trail, along with maps and YouTube trail previews to help you plan your favorite sections. After your ride, you can join us in the beer garden at Dragon Adventures Base Camp for some storytelling and community.

Cheers!

Mark and Amy Deering
dragonadventuresbasecamp.com
Call or Text: 231-888-7433