Preserves, Trails & Maps

Preserves, Trails & Maps

To find our existing preserves and natural areas, explore the map and list below. PLEASE NOTE: To learn about properties that we are currently working to protect – but are not yet complete and therefore not on the map below – please visit page our Active Projects page. Also, please know not all properties are easily accessed during the winter months. For winter access please see the Winter Access/Plowed Properties list.

GTRLC PROTECTED LAND TYPES

Below are the property types that are open to the public.

Nature Preserves

Nature Preserves
Parks & Natural Areas

Parks & Natural Areas
Sanctuaries

Sanctuaries
Ecologically Managed Forest

Ecologically Managed Forests
Map View List View
Nature Preserves

Nature Preserves

Property protected, owned and managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Visitors can expect to experience similar signage, interpretive maps and kiosks on these properties.

Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve (UA)

Benzie County, Manistee County / 3800 Acres / 20 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Mountain Biking
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
  • Universal Access
Nature Preserve

Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve (UA)

Manistee County / 411 Acres / .75 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Universal Access
Nature Preserve

Bauer Nature Preserve

Antrim County / 362 Acres / 0.7 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
Nature Preserve

Cosner & Bennett-Barnes Nature Preserve

Antrim County / 135 Acres / 1 Trail Miles

  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
Nature Preserve

Embayment Lakes Nature Preserve

Benzie County / 166 Acres / 2.3 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Trail Running
Nature Preserve

Fruithaven Nature Preserve

Benzie County / 176 Acres / 0.7 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
Nature Preserve

Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve

Benzie County / 242 Acres / 1.9 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Swimming
  • Trail Running
Nature Preserve

Halladay-Blackhurst-Chowning Nature Preserve

Grand Traverse County / 40 Acres / 0.8 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Trail Running
Nature Preserve

Lower Woodcock Lake Nature Preserve

Benzie County / 230 Acres / 3.6 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Scenic Vistas
Nature Preserve

Maple Bay Farm

Grand Traverse County / 11 Acres / 1.75 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Swimming
Nature Preserve

Misty Acres: The Borwell Preserve

Benzie County, Manistee County / 627 Acres / 0.75 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Skiing
Nature Preserve

Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve

Grand Traverse County / 242.8 Acres / .75 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Trail Running
  • Universal Access
Nature Preserve

Mt. Minnie Nature Preserve

Benzie County / 70 Acres / 1.3 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Scenic Vistas
Nature Preserve

Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve

Grand Traverse County / 159 Acres / 1.2 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Universal Access
Nature Preserve

Reffitt Nature Preserve (George & Ada Reffitt Nature Preserve)

Grand Traverse County / 106 Acres / 0.75 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • No Hunting
Nature Preserve

South & Fox Island Nature Preserves

Grand Traverse County / 24 Acres / .5 Trail Miles

  • Fishing
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Swimming
  • No Hunting
Nature Preserve

South Branch Nature Preserve

Grand Traverse County / 47 Acres

  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
Nature Preserve

St. Clair Lake-Six Mile Lake Nature Preserve (UA)

Antrim County / 255 Acres / 0.25 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
  • Universal Access
Nature Preserve

Torch Lake Nature Preserve

Antrim County / 95 Acres / 2.6 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Trail Running
  • No Hunting
Nature Preserve

Torch River Ridge: A Cotanche Family Legacy

Antrim County / 290 Acres / 4 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Trail Running
Nature Preserve

Trapp Farm Nature Preserve

Benzie County / 140 Acres / 0.5 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
Nature Preserve

Turtle Cove Nature Preserve

Grand Traverse County / 117 Acres / 1.7 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • Trail Running
  • No Hunting
Nature Preserve

Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve

Benzie County / 180 Acres / 0.7 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
Nature Preserve

Upper Manistee Headwaters: The Milock Family Preserve

Kalkaska County / 1357 Acres / 5.76 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Mountain Biking
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Skiing
Nature Preserve

Wilcox-Palmer-Shah Nature Preserve

Antrim County / 57.64 Acres / .04 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Parking
  • Swimming
  • No Hunting
Nature Preserve

Wintergreen Woods Nature Preserve

Grand Traverse County / 21 Acres / .6 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • No Hunting
Nature Preserve
Parks & Natural Areas

Parks & Natural Areas

Property that GTRLC protected on behalf of local units of government that is owned and managed by these municipalities after protection. Trails, signage, parking areas and management may vary depending on ownership.

Acme Shoreline (UA)

Grand Traverse County / 4 Acres

  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
  • Swimming
  • Universal Access
Park or Natural Area

Antrim Creek Natural Area

Antrim County / 156 Acres / 2.5 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Swimming
  • Trail Running
Park or Natural Area

Arcadia Sunset Beach

Manistee County / 10 Acres

  • Birding
  • Parking
  • Swimming
Park or Natural Area

Battle Creek Natural Area

Grand Traverse County / 253 Acres / 0.8 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
Park or Natural Area

Bullhead Lake Natural Area

Grand Traverse County / 28 Acres / .4 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
Park or Natural Area

Cedar River Natural Area

Antrim County / 193 Acres / 2 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
Park or Natural Area

Cedar Run Creek Natural Area

Grand Traverse County / 318 Acres / 4.2 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Skiing
Park or Natural Area

Coy Mountain

Antrim County / 23 Acres / 1.6 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Scenic Vistas
Park or Natural Area

Deepwater Point

Grand Traverse County / 17 Acres / 0.7 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • Swimming
Park or Natural Area

Elberta Dunes South Natural Area

Benzie County / 58 Acres / 0.8 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
Park or Natural Area

Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area

Antrim County / 765 Acres / 31.5 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Mountain Biking
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
Park or Natural Area

Hickory Forest

Grand Traverse County / 76 Acres / 3 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
Park or Natural Area

Hickory Meadows

Grand Traverse County / 116 Acres / 2.5 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
Park or Natural Area

Lake Ann Beach (Almira Township Lakefront Park)

Benzie County / 2 Acres

  • Parking
  • Swimming
Park or Natural Area

Loon Nursery Natural Area

Antrim County / 32 Acres

  • Birding
  • Parking
Park or Natural Area

Man Made Lake

Manistee County / 14 Acres

  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • Swimming
Park or Natural Area

Maple Bay Natural Area

Grand Traverse County / 452 Acres / 1.75 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Swimming
Park or Natural Area

Maplehurst Natural Area

Antrim County / 389 Acres / 5.4 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Mountain Biking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
  • No Hunting
Park or Natural Area

Milton Township Waterfront Park

Antrim County / 10 Acres

  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
  • Swimming
  • Universal Access
Park or Natural Area

Pearl Lake

Benzie County / 249 Acres

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
Park or Natural Area

Pelizzari Natural Area

Grand Traverse County / 62 Acres / 3.2 Trail Miles

  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
  • No Hunting
Park or Natural Area

Petobego Creek Natural Area

Grand Traverse County / 240 Acres

  • Birding
  • Hunting
  • Parking
Park or Natural Area

Platte River Park

Benzie County / 52 Acres

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
Park or Natural Area

Railroad Point Natural Area

Benzie County / 221.5 Acres / 0.78 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Swimming
Park or Natural Area

Ransom Lake Natural Area

Benzie County / 220 Acres / 2 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
Park or Natural Area

Seven Bridges

Kalkaska County / 314 Acres / 0.6 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
Park or Natural Area

Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area

Antrim County, Kalkaska County / 3300 Acres / 4.7 Trail Miles

  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Skiing
Park or Natural Area

South Boardman Preserve

Kalkaska County / 111 Acres / .5 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
Park or Natural Area

South Long Lake Forest

Grand Traverse County / 268 Acres / 1.8 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
Park or Natural Area

Timbers Recreation Area

Grand Traverse County / 250 Acres / 4.4 Trail Miles

  • Fishing
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Skiing
  • Swimming
  • Trail Running
  • Universal Access
Park or Natural Area

Torch Bay Nature Preserve

Antrim County / 38 Acres / 1.4 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Kayaking / Canoeing
  • Parking
  • Swimming
Park or Natural Area

Yuba Creek Natural Area

Grand Traverse County / 413 Acres / 1.8 Trail Miles

  • Birding
  • Hiking / Snowshoeing
  • Hunting
  • Parking
  • Scenic Vistas
  • Skiing
  • Trail Running
Park or Natural Area
Sanctuaries

Sanctuaries

Property protected, owned and managed by GTRLC with sensitive natural lands that contain exceptionally rare or rich natural features. No trails or infrastructure are present. 

Betsie Dunes Nature Sanctuary

Benzie County / 88.56 Acres

  • Hunting
Sanctuary

Brinkman Bog Nature Sanctuary

Grand Traverse County / 51 Acres

  • Hunting
Sanctuary

Carter Strong Nature Sanctuary

Grand Traverse County / 6 Acres

  • Birding
Sanctuary

Elisabeth Parr Nature Sanctuary

Benzie County / 5 Acres

    Sanctuary

    Finch Creek Nature Sanctuary

    Antrim County / 56 Acres

    • Birding
    • Hunting
    Sanctuary

    Golden Days Loon Nature Sanctuary

    Antrim County / 18 Acres

      Sanctuary

      High Bluff Dunes Nature Sanctuary

      Benzie County / 32 Acres

        Sanctuary

        Howard and Mary Dunn Edwards Nature Sanctuary

        Grand Traverse County / 77 Acres / 0.2 Trail Miles

        • Hunting
        • Parking
        Sanctuary

        Intermediate Lake Nature Sanctuary

        Antrim County

        • Hunting
        Sanctuary

        John J. Helstrom Quiet Area

        Benzie County / 40 Acres

          Sanctuary

          Kewadin Wetlands Nature Sanctuary

          Antrim County / 40 Acres

          • Hunting
          Sanctuary

          Medenbrook Nature Sanctuary

          Benzie County / 37 Acres

          • Hunting
          Sanctuary

          Mitchell Creek Nature Sanctuary

          Grand Traverse County / 128 Acres

          • Hunting
          Sanctuary

          Mnaadendan Shkaakimiikwe Nature Sanctuary

          Grand Traverse County / 26 Acres

          • Hunting
          Sanctuary

          Nana's Woods Nature Sanctuary

          Benzie County / 23 Acres

            Sanctuary

            North Skegemog Nature Sanctuary

            Antrim County / 37 Acres

              Sanctuary

              Palastra-Holm Nature Sanctuary

              Grand Traverse County / 36 Acres

                Sanctuary

                Papoose Lake Nature Sanctuary

                Kalkaska County / 46 Acres

                • Hunting
                Sanctuary

                Sagaser Nature Sanctuary

                Benzie County / 20 Acres

                • Hunting
                Sanctuary

                The Gorge Nature Sanctuary

                Grand Traverse County / 18 Acres

                • Hunting
                Sanctuary

                W.L. Criger Wetland Nature Sanctuary

                Antrim County / 5 Acres

                  Sanctuary