New Era: Trail Rides, Country Dairy and Stony Lake

New Era is located across from Stony Lake. Experiences in the area include trail rides at Stony Lake Stables and several programs at Country Dairy; in summer, the annual Ice Cream Social is another highlight. Wine tastings are offered at Oceana Winery and Vineyard. Nearby is William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park. Nature, farm experiences and an annual summer event are complemented by a trail with a history of its own.

Trail Rides and Trail History

Stony Lake Stables offers trail rides on mostly shaded paths. Riders can observe deer and other wildlife in their natural habitat; the seasonal availability of trail rides may vary. New Era is located across from Stony Lake. William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park is also near the destination. The trail is 22 miles long and was converted from a former railroad line by William Field in the 1980s.

Trail rides and the trail offer different experiences: the horseback riding combines mostly shaded paths with the chance to observe wildlife. The trail’s length and its conversion from a railroad line help place it in context not only by its distance but also by its history.

Country Dairy: Farm Ride, Barn and Educational Program

Country Dairy’s “Behind the Barn” program includes a horse-drawn wagon ride around the farm with commentary, as well as a tour of the free-stall dairy barn. Moo University is a hands-on educational program originally designed for homeschool groups and interested families. It includes interactive lessons, live demonstrations and up-close encounters with animals. The formats therefore differ in structure: “Behind the Barn” combines a ride and barn tour, while Moo University brings together learning, demonstrations and animal encounters.

The Annual Summer Event

Country Dairy hosts the annual Ice Cream Social every summer; dates vary from year to year. The program includes live music, unlimited ice cream from its own dairy, farm activities and family entertainment. Unlike the tours and educational programs, this is a recurring summer event. If you want to plan your stay around it, check the dates for the summer in question.

Wine Tasting and Travel Planning

A tasting of fine wines is offered at Oceana Winery and Vineyard; availability may vary. Alongside the farm and nature experiences, it provides a distinct culinary highlight. The timing also differs: trail rides may vary seasonally, the Ice Cream Social takes place in summer on dates that change each year, and wine tasting availability may vary. If one of these offerings is central to your visit, check seasonal availability or the specific event date for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Mears, Pentwater.

For the broader travel overview: Oceana County.