Meadow Trail: A Hidden Gem Worth Rediscovering
Tucked away in Drummond Island’s eastern trail system, Meadow Trail—an approximately 2- to 6.5-mile loop—offers much more than a pleasant ride. Along the way, visitors pass mature hardwood forests, quiet cedar stands, open meadows, and the stone chimney and rock foundation of a Finnish homestead dating back to the Johnswood logging era of the late 1800s. It’s easy to imagine the families who once lived and worked here, long before today’s trail system brought visitors to this quiet corner of Drummond Island.
Depending on the season, wildflowers blanket the forest floor, songbirds fill the canopy, white-tailed deer slip quietly through the woods, and ruffed grouse burst unexpectedly from the brush.
Meadow Trail is first and foremost a designated 50-inch ORV trail maintained through Michigan’s ORV trail program. Its scenic setting and relatively light motorized use have naturally made it a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers, fat-tire cyclists, hunters, birdwatchers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers. Rather than proposing new trail designations or constructing new trails, Drummond Island Off-Road Alliance (DIORA) believes Meadow Trail presents an opportunity to continue thoughtfully stewarding an existing ORV trail while recognizing the many ways people already enjoy it throughout the year.
The trail is also surprisingly accessible. Parking Lot #1 at Intersection 13 provides easy access, a nearby year-round vault toilet serves visitors in every season, and Meadow Trail connects directly to Drummond Island’s extensive network of 50-inch and 72-inch trails, allowing users to tailor outings from a short nature walk to a full day of exploration.
Seeing Meadow Trail Differently
For years, trail enthusiasts and DIORA members Bill Beaver and Jay Stressman explored Meadow Trail in every season—by ATV, mountain bike, and even on cross-country skis.
The more time they spent there, the more one question kept coming up:
Why isn’t Meadow Trail used more often?
Beautiful scenery. A fascinating glimpse into Drummond Island’s history. Convenient parking. A nearby vault toilet. Multiple loop options. Direct connections to the island’s larger trail network. Yet compared with many other designated 50-inch trails, Meadow Trail remains surprisingly quiet.
That simple observation inspired DIORA to take a closer look—not to change Meadow Trail’s purpose, but to explore how it might be cared for in ways that preserve its character while ensuring it remains enjoyable for generations to come.
A Closer Look
On July 7, 2026, DIORA members walked and rode Meadow Trail to evaluate its current condition and discuss opportunities for future stewardship. Overall, they found a trail in good condition with relatively modest maintenance needs.
Among the ideas discussed were adding a trailhead sign near Intersection 13, continuing routine brushing to improve visibility while preserving the trail’s natural character, and improving wayfinding so first-time visitors can confidently navigate the loop. Members also identified a handful of isolated areas where erosion, rutting, or persistent mud could be evaluated to determine whether targeted improvements would help protect natural resources, reduce trail widening, or discourage user-created bypasses. In a few locations, relocating rocks that unnecessarily interfere with travel could also improve the riding experience without changing the trail’s overall character.
None of these ideas are intended to change Meadow Trail’s designation or character. Instead, they are meant to begin a conversation about how thoughtful stewardship can help preserve one of Drummond Island’s hidden gems while maintaining its primary purpose as a designated 50-inch ORV trail.
One Trail, Four Seasons
One of Meadow Trail’s greatest strengths is simply how many different people already enjoy it.
During the riding season, ORV enthusiasts enjoy its peaceful setting and connections to the larger trail network. As the seasons change, hikers, mountain bikers, hunters, birdwatchers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers experience the very same trail in entirely different ways.
The goal isn’t to transform Meadow Trail into something new. It’s to continue caring for an existing ORV trail so it remains enjoyable for the people who already use it while preserving the qualities that make it unique. Thoughtful stewardship doesn’t mean changing the trail’s character—it means protecting what makes it worth visiting in the first place.
Go Explore
Whether you’re visiting Meadow Trail for the first time or returning to an old favorite, we hope you’ll take a little extra time to appreciate the history, wildlife, and natural beauty that make this trail so special.
Before heading out, pick up the latest Drummond Island Recreation Map at the Visitor Center, ride with a buddy whenever possible, and carry water, basic tools, and emergency supplies.
On the Recreation Map, the ungroomed 50-inch trail segments appear in light red, while the groomed ORV/72-inch routes are shown in brown.
For reference, the trail is outlined in blue on the image above.
