Name | Wakazoo Trail | |
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Summary | Relatively flat dirt trail through the Allegan State Game area with numerous trailheads off country roads. | |
Type | Trail System | |
Distance (Total) | 15.0 miles / 24.1 km | |
Elevation Gain | 20 feet / 6 meters | |
Minimum Elevation | 652 feet / 199 meters | |
Maximum Elevation | 755 feet / 230 meters | |
Hiking Season | - '' - All Year Long | |
Things To See | - '' - Creeks - Lake Views - Meadows - Old Growth - Plains - Ponds - Streams - Swamps - Wildflowers - Wildlife - Woods | |
Difficulty | Easy | |
Rating | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | |
Nearby Town | Fennville, Michigan, United States | |
Link | https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&mid=1SUpFp9UPsMhNX4-j_KffHnxLadw&ll=42.54919168568233%2C-86.01309200000003&z=13 | |
Permit Required | No | |
Trail Map |
The Wakazoo Trail takes you through forest area of the Allegan State Game Area. It is a loop trail of about 15 to 19 miles, depending on the actual path you take. The trail is a relatively flat trail with a few logs to hop over. If you hike the whole trail, you will pass through Ely Lake Campground, old forest growth, North and South Swan Creek, streams and swamps that may be active in the spring and possibly fall.
The DNR has named this trail the Northwest Trail and has been referenced as both the Northwest Trail or the Wakazoo Trail.
The Wakazoo Trail was named by the Boy Scouts of southwestern Michigan. The trail was named after Peter Waukazoo who was a Native American Chief of the Ottowas in the Southwest Michigan area around the Black River, near current-day South Haven. Chief Waukazoo along with Reverend Smith, moved the Ottawas from the Old Wing Mission near Holland, Michigan to a new location, Wakazooville, in Leelanau County, Michigan in June 1849, which is now part of Northport.
Ely Lake Campground is noted as the trailhead, because it is a great place for backpackers.
There are other trailheads off:
116th Ave, west of 51st Street,
117th Ave. slightly west of 51st Street,
118th Ave., east of the Allegan State Game Area Headquarters
120th Ave. slightly west of the access Road,
120th Ave. and 51st Street,
48th Street slightly south of 120th Avenue,
Latitude | 42.532986589 degrees / 42° 31.979' / 42° 31' 58.75" |
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Longitude | -86.0341930389 degrees / -86° 2.052' / -86° 2' 3.09" |
Created on 12/18/2017 |
Last edited on 01/02/2018 |