The Oleson Bridge Trail is part of the 500-acre County Parkland known as the Natural Education Reserve. It is managed by the Grand Traverse Conservation District. The Oleson Bridge Trail is located on Keystone Road, about five miles south of Traverse City. The trail begins at a parking lot near the road. Taking an immediate right, the trail crosses a large meadow and emerges on a high bank along the Boardman River. This meadow is part of a homestead farm that was once there. A scenic overlook at the river is a junction point of two trails. The northern trail will connect to the Lone Pine Trail and is about .3 mile long. The southern trail crosses a meadow, with stairs leading down to the wetlands. A sharp right hand turn at the edge of the meadow takes the trail across a short foot bridge and then to the Oleson Bridge, which is the only foot bridge that crosses the Boardman River. Beware of Poison Ivy in the woods on the other side of the bridge. After crossing the bridge, the trail meanders straight ahead and to the right through a wooded area. Native species include White Cedar, Sugar Maple and Red Maple. After angling left, the trail leaves the woods and comes out to a meadow. Turning sharply to the right, the trail follows the edge of the meadow and the cusp of a high riverbank. The trail continues through a lightly wooded area and curves around, eventually coming to an aviary viewing platform that overlooks the Boardman River. The viewing platform is covered and offers an excellent spot to watch the ducks, geese, swans and blue herons that live in the area. The Oleson Bridge Trail is about .7 mile long, one-way.

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