In a remarkable transformation, a defunct golf course in Michigan has been reborn as a vibrant mountain biking haven. The former Little Traverse Bay Golf Club, located near Harbor Springs, has been reimagined as the Offield Family Viewlands, a nature preserve featuring 5.2 miles of exhilarating mountain bike trails.
The Little Traverse Bay Golf Club closed its doors permanently at the beginning of 2020. Rather than succumbing to redevelopment pressures, the land was acquired by the Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC), a Michigan-based non-profit dedicated to conserving natural landscapes. LTC purchased the property for $2 million and repurposed it into a nature preserve, renamed the Offield Family Viewlands.
Founded in the early 1970s, LTC focuses on preserving northern Michigan’s natural beauty while ensuring public accessibility. The organization currently manages 100 miles of trails across nearly 50 preserves, catering to various outdoor enthusiasts, including mountain bikers.
Shortly after LTC’s acquisition, the Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (TOMMBA) approached LTC with a proposal to introduce mountain bike trails. Lynn Wolf, TOMMBA’s Board President, expressed eagerness to transform the former golf course into a mountain biking destination. “Even as they were acquiring it, I was pulling on [LTC’s] coattails, asking, ‘Can we build a mountain bike trail?’” Wolf recounted.
Established in 2012, TOMMBA began by creating trails for local schools and has since collaborated with various partners, including conservancies and the Department of Natural Resources. Despite the initial challenges of converting a golf course to a trail system, the rolling hills of the former golf course presented ideal terrain for mountain biking.
The conversion process required patience. LTC allowed the land to naturally regenerate before embarking on the trail development. “The LTC said, ‘time out, give us one year to just let the property come back to natural and figure out what we want to do,’” Wolf explained.
Once the land was deemed ready, LTC and TOMMBA collaborated to design trails that would integrate seamlessly with the existing North Country Trail. TOMMBA is constructing nearly four additional miles of trails to complement the 5.2 miles already completed, aiming to connect with the North Country Trail and local ski areas.
The Offield Viewlands Mountain Bike Trail, completed in spring 2024, offers over five miles of beginner to intermediate flow trail featuring modern elements like jumps, berms, and drops. The trail, known for its impressive 500 feet of elevation gain, caters to both mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers and joggers. Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are also permitted.
The development of the trail was funded through a $385,000 campaign, with TOMMBA and LTC securing grants from various sources. Flowtrack Mountain Bike Trails, a local trail-building firm, was hired to design and construct the trail. “Matt with Flowtrack is like a mad scientist in his head,” Wolf noted, praising the innovative design and adaptability of the trail.
The trail was officially opened to the public at the start of summer. Future expansions are contingent upon the trail’s usage data, which will help determine the demand for additional trails. “One of the things the LTC likes is data,” Wolf said. “We’ve just obtained trail counters to assess the trail’s reception and use, which will guide further development.”
This transformation of a once-abandoned golf course into a dynamic mountain bike trail exemplifies innovative land use and community collaboration, breathing new life into an old recreational space.
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