Everyone needs a little bit of a battery recharge from time to time. Well, luckily, Michigan is home to more than one relaxing nature preserve. There are some with hidden caves, others with incredible bridge hikes, and even more that are all about getting outside and reconnecting with nature. That’s the sort I’d like to tell you about today. Located in Montague Township, Michigan, Clear Springs Nature Preserve is one of the most restful nature preserves you’ll ever visit.
This 118-acre nature preserve is located in the heart of Michigan's west coast, just a 20-minute drive from Muskegon.
The land was formerly home to both a fish hatchery and a trading post. Now? It's the perfect place to get away from it all in nature.
The majesty of the trees is where this peaceful nature preserve really shines. During your hike, you might encounter a variety of pines, oaks, beeches, maples, and more.
Just a simple look up to see the afternoon light shining through the trees is enough to let you know that you made the correct choice for an adventure. I mean, that light is just unbelievable!
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There are six trails at Clear Springs Nature Preserve in Montague Township, Michigan. These can be combined into a short loop, which takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
Or, if you're looking to take a longer hike, you can combine four of the trails into a larger loop that should take you no longer than an hour.
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Plus, maybe you'll spot some unusual trees like the one pictured above. With more than 100 acres of unique landscape to explore, you're sure to stumble into something interesting.
We recommend taking the Spring Trail, where you can see the remains of the old fish hatchery that used to occupy the land. Pictured above is part of the system that moved and sorted fish between various ponds.
We also recommend taking your time with whichever trail you choose to take during your visit to Clear Springs Nature Preserve. There are tons of gorgeous spots to simply take a moment and breathe.
Packing a small sketchbook and pencil doesn't take up much room. Then, when you find a spot as tranquil as this, take some time to sketch it.
You'll make a much better memory than the photo you snapped on your phone and will forget about once the next piece of beauty astonishes you. You could easily fill up your camera roll after a visit to this relaxing nature preserve in Michigan.
The ponds are open for catch-and-release fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. I can only imagine how relaxing being in a kayak in the middle of a pond in a nature preserve this gorgeous must be.
In the winter, Clear Springs Nature Preserve in Montague Township, Michigan is home to a small sledding hill! This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but sledding is something else I haven't done since moving to Michigan!
And in the fall... well, you can see how stunning this relaxing Michigan nature preserve is at that time of year. The colors must be astounding in person.
Clear Springs Nature Preserve in Montague Township, Michigan is a wonderful place to reconnect with nature… and yourself. Take a swing by Muskegon, just a short 20-minute drive away… and home to some pretty excellent river tubing.
Now, I know I went pretty hard on bringing a sketchbook for your visit to this relaxing nature preserve. That’s because making art is an incredibly relaxing way to appreciate the nature surrounding you. Here’s one recommendation that should fit into your backpack easily.
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