M-179 has been given the Chief Noonday Recreational Heritage Route designation by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

After passing the lake, the highway resumes its easterly course and continues through the rural forest areas of eastern Allegan County, where the road is known as 129th Avenue.

Here it continues its eastward trek until it winds its way through the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area.

[2][3] The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) maintains the roadway as a part of the state highway system.

[8] That route was turned back to local control in late 1958 or 1959, and the designation disappeared from the system.