Tucked into the rolling hills of Barry County, Yankee Springs State Recreation Area sprawls across 5,200 acres of glacially sculpted terrain that feels worlds away from the flat farmland surrounding it. The landscape here is the handiwork of ancient ice sheets — kettle lakes, eskers, and wooded ridges create a topography that rewards exploration on foot, bike, or horseback.

The park’s trail system is a standout. Mountain bikers flock to the Long Lake Trail for its technical singletrack winding through hardwood forest, while hikers can loop around Devil’s Soup Bowl, a dramatic glacial depression that drops sharply into dense woods. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing take over these same paths.

Seven lakes and several smaller ponds dot the recreation area, making it a reliable destination for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. Gun Lake’s sandy beach draws families all summer, and anglers work the quieter inland lakes for bass and panfish. Hunting is permitted in season across much of the acreage, particularly for deer and turkey.

Yankee Springs offers modern and rustic campsites spread across multiple campgrounds, with Deep Lake Campground being the most popular for its waterfront spots. Reservations fill quickly for summer weekends, so book early.

Fall is arguably the best time to visit — the hardwood canopy erupts in color, the crowds thin out, and the trails are at their finest. Spring wildflower season runs a close second, with trillium carpeting the forest floor by mid-May.

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