Yankee Springs Loop

Yankee Springs Loop is a route that connects the various main trails and roads throughout the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area and the Barry State Game Area. You can also run a bunch of "off-shoot" trails from this route as well. This route is just a nice loop that connects the main trails into one continuously flowing ride. There are other activities that can be done off this route, including hiking and mountain biking. This route starts at a great spot at the gas station where you can stage up to roughly 20 vehicles. You can either start at the waypoint designated Trailhead or you can run this route in reverse and start it from the waypoint designated Finish. The trail is made up of sand, dirt, mud, gravel, and rock. The majority of the trail surface is sand, but depending on the recent weather conditions, you may encounter more mud than sand. This route is solely dependent on the recent weather as to how the conditions will be. If it's been dry in recent weeks, a 2WD car can make it through this trail with ease. The local DNR has been very good in 2023 about keeping the trails as smooth as possible and has removed a lot of the rutted areas that would have troubled any 2WD car. There are still some areas that are rutted, so please use caution. If the weather has been non-stop rain, these trails will become a mud pit. Mud holes can range from small puddles to large suction ruts that can get a Jeep on 35s stuck. Most of the time during normal conditions, the mud holes can be avoided to one side or the other, but not all of them. This is a very scenic route in the fall with the fall foliage. Be cautious in the fall during hunting season. Know the laws of when you can and cannot be on the trails in State Game Areas based on that time of year. Winter presents new challenges usually on the steep grades with ice and snow. Again, use caution based on weather conditions. These trails are really an easy stroll in a stock Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator. Weather-causing mud holes, washouts, and deep water are really the only potential concerns. Even then, a high-clearance vehicle with 4x4 should have no issue with navigating this route. There is a large rock obstacle along the trail that is optional to go over. Lastly, a great end to this route is a stop at the beautiful Dagget Lake. Stop and take a break, stretch your legs, and enjoy the water in the middle of the forest. Finish off the rest of the trail as it crosses over the North Country National Scenic Trail and ends back on the pavement. The technical rating and difficulty has been given a 4 due to the one rock obstacle, the potential deep water crossings, mud holes, sandy washes, steep grades, and the trail is only wide enough for one vehicle with places to pass.