Photo by Little Traverse Conservancy
Since 1972, the Little Traverse Conservancy has worked with landowners to protect the natural diversity and beauty of Northern Michigan. The conservancy protects significant land and scenic areas and provides opportunities for all of us to appreciate and understand the environment. With more than 40,000 acres of land and 70 miles of shoreline protected, the Conservancy encourages the use of the preserves for hiking, photography, and other types of recreation.
When visiting the preserves, please do not remove any plant, animal or other natural features. State law requires pets to be on a leash at all times. Interpretative information is available at some of the properties and all of the sites listed here include trails or boardwalks to facilitate comfortable travel.
And if you’re a geocacher, there are more than 80 caches hidden in 45 Conservancy preserves.
3264 Powell Rd., Harbor Springs, MI, 49740
(231) 347-0991
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The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods is a 55′ x 22′ redwood cross cut from one redwood tree and with a 28′ tall bronze crucifix.
This Inland Waterway covers 38.2 miles from outside of Petoskey to Cheboygan. Find state parks, fishing, swimming, and more along the way.
Travel along the Tunnel of Trees in Northern Michigan and you will pass through Good Hart and see historic Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.
The elegantly restored Cheboygan Opera House is an acoustically superb, Victorian theatre that presents entertainment of many genres.
Fisherman’s Island State Park has more than 2,600 acres and miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach and is located just south of Charlevoix.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.
The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.
Founded in 1875, Bay View in Petoskey is a National Historic Landmark community with community-owned buildings, cottages, and two inns.
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.
Acres and acres of Northern Michigan are abloom with trillium during May, only adding to the beauty of spring Up North!