DeYoung Natural Area at a Glance
Features: bench, birding, easy, flat terrain, fishing, fishing platform, guided tours, hiking, historic structures, hunting by permit only, lake frontage, stream(s), viewing platform or overlook, wildflowers
Acreage: 191
Year Preserved: 2006
Trail Mileage: 2 miles
Trail Difficulty: moderate
Caches: 2
The 191-acre DeYoung Natural Area combines an historic farmstead with a mile of shoreline on Cedar Lake and was preserved in partnership with Elmwood Township. The farmstead dates back to 1870 and serves as a gateway to the county’s agricultural corridor. Recreation opportunities abound at this natural area, named for Louis DeYoung, an innovative farmer who died at 104 and dreamed of protecting his land. The TART trail bisects the land and a Universal Access trail leads to a lakeside fishing and viewing platform. Upland trails wind past heritage-variety apple trees and over a small stream, and offer sweeping views of the farm and Cedar Lake.
The project is one of the largest the Conservancy has taken on. “Cedar Lake has the greatest amount of shoreline protected of any inland lake in the County,” said Heiman. Much of the shore contains wetlands critical to the health of Cedar Lake, he adds.
This is a relativly simple cache that requires much stealth. In an old peanut bottle. Enjoy the trail. As always CITO. Cache on!