Boardman Lake — Medalie west-bank return
Michigan · Greenway
From Medalie Park follow the designated lake trail west across its river/boardwalk connection and then north on the west shore for up to one mile and retrace. Walk crowded or slippery boardwalk sections. Do not attempt the full loop or the natural Boardman River network.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Traverse City · Michigan
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Designated improved lake trail: pavement and boardwalk with firm gravel transitions
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Local rises and bridge ramps; wet boards and gravel need care.
- Starting location
- Medalie Park public Boardman Lake trail access, South Airport Road, Traverse City, MI
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Named mapped trail/park reference, not the exact selected public entrance, parking lot or driving route. Use the separate written public start.
Boardman Lake — Medalie west-bank return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Medalie Park public Boardman Lake trail access, South Airport Road, Traverse City, MI.
TART explicitly lists public parking at Medalie Park in Logan’s Landing off South Airport Road. Use actual signed park spaces rather than nearby private business parking, and walk to the trail.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: From Medalie Park follow the designated lake trail west across its river/boardwalk connection and then north on the west shore for up to one mile and retrace. Walk crowded or slippery boardwalk sections. Do not attempt the full loop or the natural Boardman River network.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Designated improved lake trail: pavement and boardwalk with firm gravel transitions. Local rises and bridge ramps; wet boards and gravel need care.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. TART retains a detour to Woodmere Avenue sidewalk between Hannah and Centre on the east side. This short west-bank return avoids that area; no four-mile uninterrupted loop is promised. Boardman/Ottaway River natural trails and sewage-related water recreation notices are separate scopes. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.