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Haunted Forest Preserve

The Preserve sits on South River Bay on the Garden Peninsula
Haunted Forest Preserve on Lake Michigan
© Michael D-L Jordan

Why You Should Visit
The Haunted Forest Preserve is 230 acres next to the South River Bay on the beautiful Garden Peninsula. Including 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, white-cedar conifer mesic forest, coastal wetlands, and extensive alkaline cliffs, a stunning mature, northern white cedar forest dubbed the “haunted forest” by the former landowners gave the preserve its name. This preserve adds to the Garden Bluffs Conservation Area, which brings the total to 655 acres. This area is part of a 420 million year-old rock formation that encircles the Great Lakes Basin and creates limestone cliffs that rise above Lake Michigan. It also holds 6 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, interdunal wetlands, coastal plain marshes, and sand beaches that provide a home for rare plant life, including several ferns. It is also known as an important migratory stopover for both raptors and songbirds.

Location
Delta County in the Upper Peninsula

Hours
Open year-round, dawn to dusk

Conditions
Although the preserve is open to the public, there are no established trails, parking areas or signs to guide visitors. We are working right now to create guided access to those wishing to visit the preserve. Please contact UP staff for group visits of six or more participants.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see "Preserve Visitation Guidelines"

What to See: Plants

  • Cobble Beach: Gently sloping shoreline of large freshwater lakes (chiefly northern Lake Michigan and Huron), studded with cobbles and boulders and easily inundated by storms and periodical high water. Located on shorelines of large freshwater lakes where sheets of dolomite and limestone lie close to the surface, creating neutral to slightly alkaline muck and sand between cobbles and boulders.
  • Northern White Cedar: When toppled by wind, a portion of its root system typically remains intact, and new roots form where branches come in contact with the ground. As the new root system takes hold, the upward-facing branches begin to grow, eventually forming a straight, closely packed row of trees.
  • Rich Conifer Swamp: A ground water influenced, forested wetland dominated by northern white cedar and occurring on organic (peat and muck) soils, often referred to as cedar swamp. Seasonal water level fluctuations are common with water levels being highest in the spring and lowest in late summer and fall.

What to See: Animals

  • Osprey: The "fish hawk" is brown above and white below, and flies with a distinct bend in its wing at the "wrist." Their feet are equipped with spiny scales and long talons that give them a firm grip on slippery fish, their only prey. Ospreys usually select tall trees in marshes along streams and lakes.
  • Black-crowned Night Heron: Adults are easily identified by their black cap, upper back, and scapulars, gray wings, rump, and tail, and white to pale gray under parts. The bill is stout and black, eyes are red, and legs are yellow-green for most of the year, but pink during the height of the breeding season. The best known vocalization is its ‘Quawk’. call, most often given at night while in flight or from a perch.
  • Black Bear: As opportunistic feeders, Michigan's only bear species take advantage of many seasonally available foods. In the spring, they enjoy new green vegetation after leaving their dens. Summer foods include insects and wild berries. Nuts and acorns are the best fall foods when preparing for their winter's sleep. Adult males weigh between 150-400 pounds and measure about three feet high when on all four feet and about five feet when standing upright.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The acquisition protects important upland buffer habitat, 20 acres of coastal plain marsh, and habitat for several migratory and songbird species from threats such as fire suppression and fragmentation caused by incompatible development.

In addition, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has identified the coastal areas of the Garden Peninsula as outstanding cool and cold water fisheries due to the natural topography of the area including the shallow shoals and coastal plain wetlands, most notably, those shoreline areas in and around the Garden Bluffs.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The acquisition was made possible with the support of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Funding will come primarily through a grant from the Green Bay/Lower Fox River Natural Resource Damage Assessment Council. The new preserve will be owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and open to general the public for passive recreational pursuits such as hiking, fishing and skiing. The Conservancy is currently working on creating interpretive and access trails into the preserve.

Sources of information include MNFI and MDNR.