DeYoung in a Nutshell… It's All in Your Own Backyard!
The 145-acre DeYoung Natural Area on Cedar Lake is a project of the Leelanau Conservancy.  Located on Cherry Bend Road, the natural area is just 1.5 miles north of the Traverse City limits. Hop in your car or “bike to hike” from Traverse City by following the TART Leelanau Trail, which runs through the property. DeYoung showcases the Up North habitats and landscapes we all love so well, including a beautiful mix of farmland and forested hillsides overlooking Cedar Lake and the Old Mission Peninsula, a pond and clear stream, sensitive wetlands, an historic farmstead, and nearly a mile of natural Cedar Lake shoreline. There is something here for everyone—DeYoung hosts trail hiking, learning events for all ages, work bees (get your hands dirty!), and school projects. Our dreams for this property are so exciting, but DeYoung is your resource… please come visit!

We are grateful to our partner, Elmwood Township, for all their hard work in support of this project.  DeYoung needs your ideas and your support, too.  To learn more about how you can help, click here.

Directions to the DeYoung Natural Area on Cedar Lake:
From the intersection of M-72 and M-22 in Traverse City (Tom’s West Bay), go north on M-22 for 1.2 miles, turn left on Cherry Bend Rd.  Follow Cherry Bend for about 2 miles and look for the big lower hay barn on your right.  Pull into the parking area by the barn.

From CR 641 and Fouch/Cherry Bend Rd, go towards Traverse City on Cherry Bend for about 2.1 miles, look for the big hay barn on your left.  Pull into the parking area next to the barn.

From the TART Leelanau Trail, you can park at the TART lot on Cherry Bend Road next to the animal hospital and bike one mile north to DeYoung.  From downtown Traverse City, you'll ride about 4.25 miles along the TART Trail to reach the farm.  From the Trail, you will see the lower hay barn, our meeting place for hikes.