Find a Preserve
Find Your Place in Nature
Want to get out and enjoy nature? The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy owns and maintains nature preserves within Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Manistee counties. We have also assisted more than a dozen units of government in creating public parks and natural areas.
The Conservancy's preserves are open to the public year-round. Many of our preserves have managed trails which provide opportunities for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, bird-watching, and other outdoor pursuits. Click on the map below to view photos and find directions and trail maps for specific preserves and natural areas.
GTRLC Preserve Map
Whether you want to observe wildlife, walk along a quiet shore, bike through a stretch of forest, or simply enjoy northern Michigan's lush landscape and breathtaking views, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's preserve map will help you find a place to do it.
Download a PDF version of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's most recent preserve map. This is a large map, not suitable for desktop printing, but useful as an on-screen reference. If you would like to receive a paper copy of the map, free of charge, please contact the Conservancy at 231-929-7911.
The map highlights 25 preserves that have been protected by the Conservancy and which are the easiest to access. Some of the lands on this map are Conservancy-owned and managed; others have been protected with the Conservancy's assistance and are owned and managed by State or local governments. Each of the preserves highlighted on this map offers a unique opportunity to experience the wonder of northern Michigan's forests, lakes, wetlands, river shorelines, or beaches on lands that will be protected and stewarded for generations to come. The Conservancy manages additional preserves which are open to the public but do not have infrastructure or are not easily accessible.
Get Involved
Managing land preserves involves an enormous amount of time, effort, and skill. Volunteer land stewards are the lifeblood of the Conservancy's nature preserves. These dedicated individuals care for Conservancy preserves by managing preserve areas and monitoring trails, parking areas, and signs in coordination with staff. We greatly appreciate the assistance of these individuals. Click here to learn about the ways that you can volunteer to support the maintenance of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's preserves.
Support our Nature Preserve Management
Make a contribution that will support the long-term management of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's preserves.
Preserve Descriptions
 Antrim Creek Natural Area (152 acres)
This property is owned by Antrim County
From Traverse City, take US 31 north to Eastport. Approximately 1 mile north of Eastport, turn left (west) on Old Dixie Hwy. Follow Old Dixie Hwy. for approximately 4 miles. Look for the Antrim City Cemetery on the east side of the road. Just north of the cemetery, turn left on Rex Beach Rd. (a narrow dirt road). Follow Rex Beach Rd. through the center of the Natural Area down to the beach. No formal trail system exists.
 Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve (3,000 acres)
Directions from Traverse City:
To the St.Pierre trailhead (for the Dry Hill 10 mile trail):
South on US 31, through Benzonia
West (right) on Joyfield Rd. (approx. 5.5 miles south of Benzonia)
Take Joyfield until it dead ends into M-22 (approx 5 miles)
South (left) on M-22 approx. ¼ mile to St.Pierre Rd.
South (left) on St. Pierre – parking lot approx 100 yards on East (left) side of road
To the Old Baldy trailhead (for Baldy and Lake Michigan):
Proceed to M-22 as above
South (left) on M-22 approx. 3/4 mile to Old Baldy parking lot on West (right) side of M-22
Arcadia Dunes contains sandy beaches, dunes, forests, and grassland. Adjacent working farms have also been permanently protected. This preserve contains 15 miles of trails for hiking and biking.
Arcadia Dunes Trail Map
 Battle Creek Natural Area (255 acres)
Owned and managed by Whitewater Township
From US-31, take M-72 east for approximately 7 miles then turn left on Skegemog Point Road. The parking area and trailhead are approximately one mile further on the left.
Take the ¾ mile trail to a beautiful view of Elk Lake.
 Bauer Nature Preserve (235 acres)
Pamela L. Polaczyk Preserve (5 acres)
To reach Bauer Nature Preserve from Traverse City, take US 31 N to Eastport and turn right (east) on M-88. Follow M-88 to Central Lake and then turn east on 624. Continue on 624 approximately 5 miles. Less than .5 mile past Six Mile Lake Rd., turn left on Wilson Rd. (a dirt road). The preserve is at the end of Wilson Rd.
From Bellaire, head north on 620 for approximately five miles. Turn east on 624 (Old State Rd.) and go approximately 3-4 miles. Look for Wilson Rd. on your left and take a left onto it. The preserve is at the end of Wilson Rd.
Bauer Preserve features a large parking area and a loop trail, approximately 1 mile long, located to the right of the kiosk. To the left of the kiosk, Polaczyk Preserve features a ¼ mile, wood-chipped path, which leads to a viewing platform on the Dingman River.
Bauer Preserve Trail Map
 Bullhead Lake Natural Area (28 acres)
This property is owned by Long Lake Twp.
From Traverse City, take Front St. west (which becomes North Long Lake Rd.). Follow North Long Lake Rd. around the north end of the lake, to Edgewood Ave. (just past Gilbert Park Beach) and turn left. Go ¼ mile and the preserve is on your right. A short trail system exists at this preserve.
 Carter Strong Bird Sanctuary (6 acres)
From Traverse City head south on US 31. At 14th St. turn right (west) on Silver Lake Rd. Follow Silver Lake Rd. and turn right on Secor Rd. (follow the signs to Boones Long Lake Inn). Secor turns into S. Long Lake Rd. and runs southwest along the lake. Continue around the lake about two miles. Turn right onto West Long Lake Rd., go approximately 1 mile, and watch for the preserve sign located on the right-hand side of the road.
No formal parking area or trails exist.
 Cosner Nature Preserve (131 acres)
Cosner Nature Preserve is located approximately 1-1 ½ hours from Traverse City and 20 minutes from the town of Charlevoix.
To get there from Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Atwood. In Atwood, turn right (east) on C-48. Follow C-48, then C-65 to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take C-48 east to East Jordan. In East Jordan, take M-66 south for 3 miles. The preserve is located across from the Wagbo Peace Center (¼ mile south of the Antrim/Charlevoix county line). Look for a kiosk and large parking area on the east side of M-66.
This preserve has one .8 mile loop trail, and one .4 mile loop trail.
Cosner Nature Preserve Trail Map
 Deepwater Point Natural Area (15 acres)
This property is owned by Acme Twp.
From Traverse City, take US 31 N. to Acme. Just north of Acme, turn left (west) on Shore Rd. The preserve is on the left-hand side, kitty corner from Bertha Vos Elementary School.
A short trail leads down to the water.
 Fruithaven Nature Preserve (176 acres)
Fruithaven Preserve is located in southwest Benzie County. Take US-31 south past Benzonia, turn right on Grace Road, left on Paul Rose Road/Johnson Road. Preserve parking lot is on the right.
This wooded preserve was originally part of the Fruithaven Orchards. Now this site is a haven for wildlife, including deer and turkeys. This preserve has beautiful views and unmarked two-track trails.
 Golden Days Loon Preserve (16 acres)
The preserve is located on the northernmost shore of the North Arm of Lake Bellaire.
The preserve is best viewed by water due to the wet nature of the property and lack of infrastructure. The closest public boat launch is the MDNR's Noteware Landing. The launch site is located about 2 miles south of Bellaire. From M-88, turn west on North Lakes Rd. and follow it to the end, staying to the right. The Loon Nesting Area is indicated from the water with floating signs, which restricts much public use during the spring and summer months.
The Loon Nursery, located approximately a quarter mile east of the preserve, provides public access, a good view of the loon nest, and natural history information about the common loon. From Bellaire, take Bellaire Hwy. (620) 2 miles west. You can also view the loon nest on the property from the MDNR access site, which forms the eastern boundary of the preserve.
 Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve (240 acres)
This preserve is located about 2 miles south of Elberta. Take M022 south, turn right onto Green Point Road. The parking area and trailhead are on the left.
This preserve offers stunning Lake Michigan views, a scenic trail weaving through meadow and forest, and a sustainbly harvested wooden stairway down to the beach.
Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve Trail Map
 Halladay-Blackhurst-Chowning Nature Preserve (40 acres)
The HBC preserve is located in the northern section of Paradise Township, 12 miles from Traverse City. Traveling south on Garfield Avenue, turn left on Voice Road and continue for ½ mile. The preserve is on the right side of the road before the intersection with Summit City Road.
This forested and grassland preserve, with 1.5 miles of trail, used to include pastures for cattle. Now bear and other wildlife roam. The property is also being restored back to a native tree woodlot by managing the old pine plantation.
 Maple Bay Farm and Natural Area (473 acres)
(388 acres owned by Grand Traverse County)
Maple Bay is located approximately 5 miles north of Acme along US-31. The entrance to the Conservancy parcel and parking area is located approximately one mile north of Angel Road on the west side of US-31.
This preserve includes a short trail through hemlock forests to the sandy shoreline of East Grand Traverse Bay. The County-owned property on the east side of US-31 offers excellent bird-watching opportunities.
Mitchell Creek Preserve (125 acres)
This preserve is located between Townline Road and Garfield Avenue, just south of Cherry Capital Airport in Grand Traverse County.
This sensitive natural area is located within the heart of the Mitchell Creek Watershed. Off-trail uses such as bow-hunting, trapping, fishing, and birding are suitable at this site.
 Pearl Lake (251 acres)
This property is owned by the State of Michigan
From Traverse City, take M-72 west to Coleman Rd. (669) and turn left (south). Follow 669 4 miles and turn right at the intersection of County Rds. 669 and 610. Immediately after the intersection, turn right again on Almira Rd. (610). Go approximately 2 miles and turn right on Rayle Rd., a small dirt road. Follow Rayle Rd. a little less than ½ mile to an iron gate. Park here and follow the old two-track down to the lake. There is a rustic boat launch located further down Rayle Rd. on state property.
 Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve (140 acres)
Thousand and thousands of years ago, Pyatt Lake was actually an arm of Grand Traverse Bay. The hills criss-crossing the preserve are sand dunes formed when this area was part of the larger lake. This dune ridge – a regionally unique habitat – is known as wooded dune and swale. These glacial “tracks” make Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve a living laboratory for geology buffs!
The mosaic of habitat types at Pyatt Lake offers refuge to a wide variety of animal and plant species. In fact, the preserve is perhaps the most botanically diverse property in private ownership in Grand Traverse County; more than 250 plant species have been identified on the property, and each spring orchids and trillium carpet the ground in a sea of color. Migrating waterfowl use the lake as a resting area, and warblers, winter wrens, woodpeckers, and owls all flourish in the maturing forest.
Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve is located just 20 minutes from Traverse City . Take Peninsula Dr. north approximately 10 miles. Just past Bowers Harbor Marina, turn left on Neahtawanta Rd. Follow Neahtawanta Rd. 1/2 mile to Pyatt Rd. Turn right on Pyatt Rd. The parking area is 1/4 mile down Pyatt Rd.
Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve Trail Map
 Railroad Point Natural Area (61 acres)
This property is owned by Benzie County
Take US-31 South, just past Beulah turn right on M-115 then right on Mollineaux Road. The Natural Area is ½ mile down with a small parking area on the right.
The largest parcel left undeveloped on Crystal Lake, Railroad Point Natural Area offers a spectacular view from the top of its towering bluff. The site is especially delightful for hikers in the spring due to an abundance of wildflowers.
 Ransom Lake (220 acres)
Owned by Almira Township
Take Front Street west out of Traverse City where it becomes North Long Lake Road, continue west and turn left on Bellows Lake Road and follow the signs to the Natural Area.
Ransom Lake Natural Area offers recreational opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and hiking. Diverse plant life and hardwoods surround this pleasant inland lake.
 George and Ada Reffitt Nature Preserve (83 acres)
Reffitt Nature Preserve is located adjacent to the TART trail, not far from the Traverse City State Park. From US 31 N (Munson Ave.) in Traverse City, turn south on Three Mile Rd. Then turn right on Parsons Rd. (at the light) and park immediately on the left (next to the TART trail). The Reffitt Nature Preserve trail starts immediately south of the railroad tracks on the left (east) side of Three Mile Rd.
For handicap access: From US 31 N (Munson Ave.) in Traverse City, turn south on Four Mile Rd. The first road on the right is Pine Dr. Follow Pine Dr. approximately ¼ mile and you will see the preserve right ahead of you. There is a small parking area marked by a kiosk and gate. ¼ mile of the trail is handicap accessible from this point.
There is a 1.7 mile loop trail and boardwalk around the preserve.
Reffitt Nature Preserve Trail Map
 Seven Bridges (314 acres)
This property is owned by the State of Michigan, and managed by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
From Traverse City, take US 31 north to Acme. In Acme, take M-72 east to Hill Rd. and go left. Take Hill Rd. to Rapid City Rd. Turn left on Rapid City Rd. and continue to the town of Rapid City. In town, turn right on Valley Rd. Follow Valley Rd. approximately 3 miles. The parking area for the natural area is located on the left-hand side, ½ mile past Underhill Rd.
From Kalkaska, take M-72 west 1½ miles to Valley Rd. Turn right (north) on Valley Rd. and go approximately 7 miles. The parking is located on the right-hand side, 1½ miles north of Dundas Rd.
There are currently 2 undesignated pathways at this preserve. One leads the visitor through the bridges area to a meadow. The other leads to the top of Rickers Mountain on the west-side of Valley Rd.
 Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area (3,300 acres)
This property is owned by the State of Michigan and managed by Grand Traverse Land Conservancy.
To get to the SLWA main entrance from Traverse City, take US 31 north to Acme. In Acme turn right on M-72. Take M-72 east approximately 8 miles to Hill Rd. and go left. Follow Hill Rd. to Rapid City Rd. Turn left on Rapid City Rd., go 2.3 miles, and look for the sign and parking area on the left-hand side.
You may also visit SLWA by boat. To get to the closest public launch site, take M-72 east from Acme. Turn left on Baggs Rd. At the end of Baggs Rd. turn left on Lakeside Terrace.
Approximately 4 miles of trails (marked and unmarked) exist at this preserve.
North Skegemog Nature Preserve (37 acres)
This preserve is located at the northwestern tip of Skegemog Lake, just north of the Elk/Skegemog narrows and is best viewed by boat. The closest public launch sites are Whitewater Township Park on Elk Lake and the MDNR launch site on Lake Skegemog.
To get to Whitewater Township Park from Traverse City, take U.S. 31 N. to Acme. In Acme, turn right (east) on M-72. Take M-72 to Williamsburg and turn left on Elk Lake Rd. (605). Follow Elk Lake Rd. to Park Rd. and turn right. The park and boat launch are at the end of Park Rd. To get to the MDNR launch site, take M-72 east from Acme. Turn left on Baggs Rd. At the end of Baggs Rd. turn left on Lakeside Terrace.
 South and Fox Islands Nature Preserves (24 combined acres)
Crescent Shores is the closest public boat launch to the islands. Take Front Street west out of Traverse City which then becomes North Long Lake Road. Continue on North Long Lake and turn left on Crescent Shores Road.
Visit these two island preserves and enjoy nature surrounded by the waters of Long Lake. Hike the loop trail on South Island and watch for bald eagles on Fox Island.
 South Branch Nature Preserve (47 acres)
From Traverse City, follow Hammond Road to High Lake Road, then left on Supply Road. Continue for approximately 9 miles, then turn left on Broomhead Road for approximately 2 miles. Turn right on South Branch Road, a small two-track marked with a preserve sign.
Remnants of an old bridge and an old beaver dam make this a fun property to explore. Waterfowl, small game, deer, and other wildlife inhabit this site.
 St. Clair Lake - Six Mile Lake Natural Area (191 acres)
Owned by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Little Traverse Conservancy, and Charlevoix Conservancy
SCL-SML Natural Area is an hour drive from Traverse City. To get there, take US 31 N to Atwood. In Atwood, turn right (east) on C-48. Follow C-48, then C-65 to Ellsworth. In Ellsworth, take C-48 east approximately two miles to South Arm Township Park and a small parking area on the right (south) side of the road. There is a rustic boat launch on the river.
Visitors can follow a wood-chipped trail to a boardwalk that overlooks St. Clair Lake. This one mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline is also excellent for canoeing.
 Torch Bay Natural Area (37 acres)
Owned and managed by Torch Lake Township
Take US-31 north past Elk Rapids, turn left on Traverse Bay Road. Follow the road north; the preserve is located at the end of the road.
Offering public access to Grand Traverse Bay, this Natural Area also harbors two threatened plant species – Huron Tansy and Pitcher's Thistle.
 Trapp Farm Nature Preserve (124 acres)
Article about Trapp Reserve
Trapp Farm Preserve is located just a short distance from downtown Beulah. To reach the main entrance from Traverse City, take US 31 S approximately 32 miles to Beulah.
Just past the Cherry Hut, turn left on Narrow Gauge Rd. Follow the road less than ¼ mile and look for the parking lot on the left. To get to the east entrance, turn left off of US 31 S onto Eldridge Rd as you are heading down the hill into Beulah. ¼ miledown Eldridge Rd. there is an access to the preserve on the right.
There is a boardwalk and trail that runs between the main entrance and the east entrance.
Trapp Farm Nature Preserve Trail Map
 Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve (163 acres)
Upper Herring Lake Preserver is approximately 5 miles south of the town of Elberta. To get there from Traverse City, take US 31 S to Beulah/Benzonia. Just south of Benzonia, turn right (west) on Grace Rd. (606). Follow Grace Rd. until you hit M-22. Turn south on M-22 and continue for a few miles. About one mile past Herron Rd., you will see the sign for the preserve on your left (next to an old schoolhouse). Please park just off of M-22 near the preserve sign.
There is a long two-track trail to a boardwalk. The boardwalk goes through a marsh to several ponds.
Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve Map
 Wilcox-Palmer-Shah Nature Preserve (35 acres)
From Traverse City, take US 31 north to Elk Rapids. At the stop light in Elk Rapids, turn left and then take an immediate right on N. Bay Shore Dr.
The preserve is approximately 2 miles up on the left-hand side, where there is a sign and pull-off.
There is a very short trail from the parking area to the beach.
 Yuba Creek Natural Area (403 acres)
Owned by Acme Township
The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and Acme Township have taken the first step to protect a 403-acre parcel on Yuba Creek. For both entities, the proposed Yuba Creek Natural Area has been a long-standing priority for protection.
"This is one of the most scenic, yet threatened, corridors in the region and it wasn't too long ago that we were unsure if the protection of this property would be possible," commented Glen Chown, Executive Director of the Conservancy.
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