Meterial selection
 

So I am looking to level off an area of my yard. The problem I am having is figuring out a material to do it with... We don't want to grow grass so loam is not called for as we don't want mud!!! however I would like something that packs a bit better then sand.....

Anyone have some recomendations?

this is a tough one,

some times people like to use wood chips on an area that they want to look natural, or some type of mulch, (not an expensive landscape bark mulch)

example-some times people will use mulch on a septic system they do not wan't to maintain and i've also seen wood chips used for that.

as far as filling in, grading, leveling ect. maybe a ledge pack will work, sometimes depending on the color of aggregate (stone dust and rock) that was crushed, it may have that look that geos with a natural setting.

you may try out door world in concord.

Gravel.Then a topping of your choice like mulch of bark or pine needles or both.

Stone dust, it packs like concrete and stays in place. Not sure how expensive it is though.

I agree, if it is something you are going to spread with a machine I would get 4-6" minus crushed gravel, you want crushed gravel not bank run, the angular rock will lock together if you are in a water susceptible area. Than top dress it with a stone of your liking. If you plan to do this work by hand then get something smaller, 1.5"-2" crushed gravel, and top dress it.