A nice natural area in Traverse City. Not a lot of signage beyond the parking lot, but a fairly small preserve. It has swampy areas and a rickety elevated walkway. Very near the TART trail.

Fun little nature trail just off the main road. The small parking area is down the 2-track at the end of Oak St (theres a sign).Near the trail head theres a bit of road & business noise (U.S. 31 & Pirates Cove), but the further you go, the quieter it gets. Parts of the trail consist of boardwalks over the wetlands and, depending on recent weather, there can be mucky areas. Definitely wear appropriate footwear.There are 2 loops to choose from; a short .6 mile and a .9 mile spur trail (total 1.5 miles). (see map in photos)The trail is mostly narrow, flat, hard-pack with many bridges & boardwalks. Its mostly shady with a few open, sunny areas.Definitely keep your dog on a leash due to the many swampy areas, wetlands and thick black muck.There is good signage & the trail is well marked with purple/pink blazes on trees.Best time to visit is early morning in the Spring or Autumn.

This preserve is a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. What I like best about this preserve is the option to hike various loops, depending on how much time you have available. The terrain is mostly flat, and easy to traverse. The single-track like trail takes you through various habitats including wetlands and mixed hardwood forest. The trails themselves are well marked and easy to navigate. I highly recomend visiting this trail during the spring season, when various types of birds are highly active, preparing for the breeding season. Also of interest are the spring peepers that flood the wetlands with their calls. Overall, a great experience. I highly suggest bringing a camera, and wear sturdy boots. Enjoy!

Small trail area behind busy main drag M72 in Traverse City. We hiked it in winter. the boardwalk sections can be icy and slick. lots of dog walkers here so watch for land mines!

A great hike tucked away in TC.

Lots of traffic noise.