New Camp Greilick Park Opens to Public, Trails Available

Grand Traverse County officially opened Camp Greilick to the public on December 9, 2025. County staff and volunteers completed leaf removal, trail building, new signage, building improvements, and habitat restoration to prepare the site at 4754 Scout Camp Road off Hobbs Highway. The trails are open this winter for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, though the county notes trails will not be groomed.

The county is installing a Storybook Walk with 20 panels featuring Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, creating a nature based reading experience for families and school groups. The park will host a Solstice Gathering on Sunday, December 21 at 5 p.m., a free event that will include a raptor presentation by North Sky Raptor Sanctuary and a luminary lit walk. Donations to North Sky are encouraged, and registration is available online at https://www.traverseticker.com/news/camp-greilick-now-open-to-public/.

Facility reservations are now being accepted. Education and program partners may request reservations immediately, while private reservations will open in January. The county says group cabins, the pavilion, chapel, and bowl will be available year round. Besser Lodge and semi rustic cabins are scheduled to open in spring 2026.

For public health and community wellbeing, the new park adds accessible options for outdoor activity that can support physical fitness and mental health during long winter months. Daily access to greenspace is linked to lower stress and better chronic disease management, and local schools may benefit from on site environmental education opportunities. At the same time, the decision not to groom trails raises equity concerns because grooming affects who can use the trails safely in winter, particularly older adults and residents with mobility limitations.

Camp Greilick is a community asset that reflects local stewardship through volunteer led habitat work. As the county moves from initial opening to full operation, attention to inclusive access, transportation, and program partnerships will shape whether the park serves all Grand Traverse County residents equitably.