News

Expanding access to those with mobility challenges is an immediate need and today the Friends are launching the Trail Access Accessibility Project! We’re always working towards increasing the use of the trail for everyone of all ages and abilities. We work with the Michigan DNR to keep the trail beautiful… Read More »

Our third annual Brew-to-Brew Trail Day was a big success! Thank you to our event sponsors and everyone who participated! It was a lot of fun! Check out the recap video: 

Over 50 people attended the Friends ribbon cutting ceremony in early June marking the completion of the first mile of paving from Beulah to Thompsonville. The joyful occasion recognized those who made this accomplishment possible, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources who awarded a $400,000 Spark Grant to Benzie… Read More »

We could not be prouder of being named a Pure Michigan Trail. This announcement as it represents the hard work of many volunteers over the past 20+ years to make the Betsie Valley Trail the Benzie County jewel that it is today. (However, our work is far from over —… Read More »

Over a period of 8 days a great crew of volunteers cut back brush along the trail from Frankfort to Beulah, an exhausting yet beautiful 11 mile stretch. In addition to cutting back at least 2′ from the trail, the volunteers racked and removed the brush. Bridges were cleared. overhead… Read More »

During our planning meeting this past spring, the Friends decided to prioritize and address the degradation of the Trail along Crystal Lake, specifically, the section between County Farm and Mollineaux Roads. At the time, we did not anticipate the rash of accidents, including some needing medical treatment, that would occur… Read More »

On what turned out to be a beautiful day to be out on the trail, 141 participants in this year’s Brew-to-Brew Trail Day helped the Friends easily surpassed their fundraising goal for the event. With the generous participation again this year from Stormcloud Brewing Company and Five Shores Brewing, registrants… Read More »

The Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail have installed internet service at the Beulah Trailhead and Visitor Center building. The group is pleased to announce the public can now use the high-speed Wi-fi service free of charge while at the location. “With the new resurfacing project that’s going to start… Read More »

This Fall, the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail Board elected Heidi Bolger as the group’s new Chair. Bolger’s predecessor, Jed Maker, stepped down in September upon reaching the limit of his six-year term at the helm. “My experience with the Friends has been both gratifying and educational,” reflected Maker.… Read More »

The Friends were excited to receive the news in October that our second try for a Michigan Spark Grant funded by American Rescue Plan Act was approved by the Michigan DNR. “We were quite happy with the news of the grant,” said Jim Gribble, Director of Marketing and Public Relations… Read More »