Grand Traverse County's newest park, Camp Greilick, is officially open to the public.

The county's Parks and Recreation department announced this week that after "tremendous help" from countless volunteers and community partners to prepare the property at 4754 Scout Camp Road off Hobbs Highway, "the park is ready for people to come and enjoy." The county said that "thousands of hours have been spent doing everything including leaf removal, program area cleanup, trail building, adding new signage, building improvements, and habitat restoration. There is still plenty more to be done as we continue to improve upon this wonderful new park and build on all of the recreational opportunities it provides."

While trails will not be groomed this winter, they will be open for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. "The rolling hills and open fields of the property offer numerous locations to build snowmen, create snow forts, and any other type of play you can think of," according to the county.  A new Storybook Walk is going up at the property featuring 20 panels displaying "Over and Under the Snow" by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal. 

The county will host a Solstice Gathering at Camp Greilick on Sunday, December 21 at 5pm with North Sky Raptor Sanctuary, an eventual planned tenant for the park. The event will include a raptor presentation featuring ambassador Walden, a Great Horned Owl in North Sky's care. A short luminary-lit will follow taking off from the pavilion down to the lagoon for star-gazing. While this is a free event, donations to North Sky Raptor Sanctuary are encouraged. Registration is available online.

The county is also beginning to accept facility reservations for Camp Greilick. Requests are available now for the county's education and program partners, with reservations for private activities available beginning in January. The group cabins, the pavilion, the chapel, and the bowl will be available year-round. Besser Lodge and the semi-rustic cabins will have opening dates in spring 2026. Park reservations are available online here.