Michigan · Hiking

The Dragon Trail - Segment #4

5.6 mi
round trip
1,154 ft
climb
918 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

The Dragon Trail - Segment #4 is an easy hike in Michigan's Huron-Manistee National Forest, within the White Cloud Ranger District. The segment is 5.6 miles long and is part of a longer trail, with the full route extending to 11.2 miles round trip. The trail runs between a low point of 828 feet and a high of 918 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 2.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 13%. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show highs around 68°F in May and 72°F in September, while July averages about 81°F and January highs sit near 28°F. The trail links easily with other parts of the Dragon Trail. Segment #7 lies about a mile away, Segment #5 about 2.4 miles, and Segment #8 about 3.4 miles. Big Bend Township Park offers camping roughly 3.2 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit The Dragon Trail - Segment #4

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      28° / 13°

      16 wet

    2. Feb

      31° / 12°

      13 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 20°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 31°

      13 wet

    5. May

      68° / 43°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 53°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 57°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 55°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 47°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 36°

      14 wet

    11. Nov

      44° / 28°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 19°

      15 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Rapids Wtp, MI, 11.1 mi away at 898 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

The Dragon Trail - Segment #1Photo: Larry Pieniazek, Lar (commons) or User:Lar (wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Dragon Trail - Segment #1

~8 min drive

2.24-mile out-and-back segment of The Dragon Trail in Michigan with 661 ft gain.

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The Dragon Trail - Segment #7

~2 min drive

8.01-mile out-and-back trail in Michigan with 1,427 feet of elevation gain.

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The Dragon Trail - Segment #3

~7 min drive

2.82-mile out-and-back segment of The Dragon Trail in Michigan with 888 ft gain.

The Dragon Trail - Segment #10Photo: Larry Pieniazek, Lar (commons) or User:Lar (wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Dragon Trail - Segment #10

~10 min drive

2.21-mile out-and-back segment of The Dragon Trail in Michigan with 423 ft gain.

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Hungerford Bike Trail

~18 min drive

16.76-mile out-and-back bike trail through Michigan countryside.

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HUNGERFORD TRAIL 24

~20 min drive

6.48-mile out-and-back trail in Michigan with 688 ft elevation gain.

Loda Lake Wildflower TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Loda Lake Wildflower Trail

~26 min drive

2.35-mile loop trail in Michigan with 396 ft elevation gain.

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Birch Grove Trail

~28 min drive

11.5-mile out-and-back through Michigan's birch forests.

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The Dragon Trail - Segment #5

~4 min drive

5.45-mile out-and-back segment of The Dragon Trail in Michigan with 813 ft gain.

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The Dragon Trail - Segment #8

~6 min drive

1.67-mile out-and-back segment of The Dragon Trail in Michigan with 587 ft gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors