Published Nov 6, 2024

Skip the Crowds: Explore Michigan’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

Seeking solace in silence? These five amazing hiking trails in Michigan are perfect for the occasion.

Published Nov 6, 2024

Written by

Published Oct 28, 2024

This Natural Wonder in Michigan Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

Wagner Falls is a hidden gem natural wonder in Michigan just a few minutes south of Munising, a charming Upper Peninsula town on Lake Superior.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by

Trent Jonas

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the Lake Superior side of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is undoubtedly one of the premier natural wonders in Michigan. Its dramatic shoreline, wooded bluffs, and unspeakably blue water draw thousands of visitors every year.

But, as all we Michiganders know, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is far from the only natural wonder in the Great Lakes State - or the Upper Peninsula. Heck, it's not even the only natural wonder in the Pictured Rocks area! For example, just a few minutes south of Munising, where Pictured Rocks is headquartered and where you'll find a couple of the park's units, there's another natural wonder that just doesn't get the same kind of attention or visitorship that the National Park does.

I'm talking about Wagner Falls Scenic Site. This hidden gem is sandwiched between the Hiawatha National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore about five minutes south of Munising. The small parking area and trail head are located on a forested bend along Michigan Hwy. M-94, so it's easy to miss. But you should definitely keep your eye for it - because the short hike to this hidden gem natural wonder is most assuredly worth it.

According to AllTrails Plus, the total distance of the hike is only about a quarter of a mile - that's round trip, out and back. I last visited in early spring, and parts of the trail were muddy, so watch out for that if the weather has been wet. But a good portion of the trail is a boardwalk, as well, which made going a little easier.

You'll follow the trail through quiet woods along a stream - Wagner Creek - the sound of rushing water becoming louder as you draw closer to a wooden viewing platform. And from there, you'll be treated to a lovely view of the multi-tiered cascade that makes up Wagner Falls. It's certainly not the tallest waterfall in Michigan (maybe 20 or 30 feet from base to precipice), but its setting in an old-growth pine and hemlock forest and the intimate viewing experience, I think, make it one of the prettiest.

There are no amenities, e.g., water or restrooms, at this site, but again, it's mere minutes from Munising, as well as Pictured Rocks' Munising Falls Visitor Center, where you'll find plenty of services. Have you hiked to Wagner Falls? What are some of your favorite hidden gem natural wonders in Michigan? Bet sure to tell us about them on our nominations page.

Nature|Hiking

Published Oct 16, 2024

The Birding Trail in Michigan Where You’ll See More Than 200 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

The Haehnle Sanctuary in Grass Lake, Michigan, is best known for sandhill crane viewing. Over 1,000 acres are filled with beech trees, oak trees, wetlands, native grasslands... and so many birds.

Published Oct 16, 2024

Written by

Jacki Mick

I'm about to say something I never thought I'd say: I'm an avid bird watcher. It's been that way since I moved to the Mitten State.

I don't know how it happened. Maybe it's something to do with getting older and gaining new appreciation for the little things in life? Or maybe it has to do with all of the incredible nature in the state of Michigan, which is bountiful and stunningly gorgeous, even in my own (quite small) backyard.

Each morning, the first thing I do is head out to the front porch with a small bowl of peanuts and seeds to feed my squirrel and bird friends. The squirrels are cute, but the birds are like living art.

I'm now familiar enough with their songs to know when a new feathered friend has arrived. I quickly open up my bird app to learn more about my newest buddy. My birding app of choice is Merlin Bird ID, powered by Cornell Lab. You can identify birds by sound or by photograph. It even keeps a life list of all the birds you've seen!

This is handy for people like me who want to expand their birding experience. After identifying most birds near my house, I wanted to get out into the world and see what other birds I could befriend. That led me to the discovery of Haehnle Lake Sanctuary in Grass Lake, Michigan.

Located just six miles from Jackson, which happens to be home to some of the best BBQ in Michigan, this sanctuary is best known for sandhill crane viewing. Over 1,000 acres are filled with beech trees, oak trees, wetlands, native grasslands... and so many birds.

This Michigan bird sanctuary is free and open year-round from dawn to dusk. It has walking trails with interpretive maps to guide you along them. Previous visitors often find themselves completely alone on this 25-minute hike, making it a perfect escape from the stressors of everyday life.

Be sure to bring some excellent binoculars, as you'll have the chance to see over 200 species of birds! I love this pair: they are waterproof and come in a variety of colors... much like our bird friends themselves!

Some species you'll see on this Michigan birding trail include the sweet little Eastern Blue Bird above, as well as sparrows, finches, ducks, snipes, and more. You might even see a prehistoric bird while you're at the Haehnele Sanctuary; other birdwatchers report seeing raptors on more than one occasion.

However, what makes this Michigan Audubon Sanctuary famous is the massive number of Sandhill Cranes that pass through during fall migration from September to November. Each year, the Haehnle Sanctuary conducts a "Crane Count," which is precisely as it reads: a count of all the cranes that have gathered. The most ever recorded in one afternoon were over 8,000 in November 2012. I bet that was a sight to see!

So, if you, like me, have fallen in love with our fine feathered friends, plan a trip to the Haehnle Sanctuary in Grass Lake, Michigan. Part of my trip planning will probably include an overnight stay in nearby Jackson. There, you'll find art, nature, and some pretty delicious eats. It's a perfect way end to a lovely trip to see some birds.

Do you have any other suggestions for bird watching in Michigan? I'd love to hear them! Just tell me all the details in the comments.

All Stories

Nature

Hiking