Boyne City and Petoskey, Michigan: Water Street Inn, Hiking, Passport Visits

October - November 2020, 2-nights, weekend

We originally had a reservation at Water Street Inn for April of this year that cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, we had planned to bring our bicycles, and were going to bike the trail from Charlevoix to Petoskey. After that trip cancelled, we rescheduled for the end of October. Part of the trail we had planned to bike had washed out from high water levels this year, and it was cooler in October, so we decided we would hike instead. We were glad we changed our plans, because it was snowing and cold when we left Sunday morning!

Deadman's Hill Overlook

Hiking/nature

We stopped at Deadman's Hill overlook on the way to Boyne City. I cannot even imagine how amazing this view is near the middle of October. It was still beautiful at the end of October, even though it was an overcast day and the leaves had already started to turn brown. The second overlook parking area is about two miles off US-131 at the end of Deadman's Hill Road. The first half of this road is paved.

Deadman's Hill Overlook
Jordan River in the distance on the left

We did not hike much at this location, as it was late in the day, and we wanted to get settled into our condo before dark. Jordan River, which we had kayaked near Mancelona and East Jordan this past summer, is barley visible in the photo above.

The Hill Nature Preserve
Lake Charlevoix in the distance

In the Boyne City area, we hiked The Hill Nature Preserve just outside of town off Charlevoix Road. This was an easy and beautiful hike, although the view was not as good as I had expected.

Avalanche Preserve viewing platform

Boyne City, Michigan: Young State Park, Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, and Harvest Festival

September 2019, Weekend, 2-nights, Campsite 31

Above: sunset from campsite 31 at Young State Park while seated at fire.

Below: sunset from back of campsite 31 standing next to the water.

Young State Park reservations and campsites

There are three campgrounds in Young State Park, and it was difficult to choose a site beforehand, since this was our first visit. We decided to reserve campsite 31 in Oak campground, and after our arrival, we decided this is one of the better sites. After we had made the reservation, we wanted to arrive a day earlier; however, another camper was on this site the day before. Luckily, they had departed when we arrived.

Young State Park campsite 31.

Campsite 31 is on the lake, and there is a partial lake view from the back of the site (see top photo with fire pit). We would have had an even better view, if we had not backed in as far. We had hoped to park on an angle; however, there was not enough room to do this with our fifth wheel. There are a lot of trees on this campsite. You can see the white site line in front of the trees in the photo of our fifth wheel and truck (half the site is unusable because of the trees). Additionally, gravel had been brought in for this site, and placed only in the area straight into the site. There was standing water around the fire pit when it rained during our stay. 

Condition on campsite 31 at Young State Park after it rained.
Gravel brought in is visible to right of fire pit.