Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary graces the sugar-sand shores of Lake Michigan on Michigan's west coast...about half way up the mitten! The 75 acre natural area boasts 1,300 feet of walkable and accessible shoreline, the main hiking trails, and Champion Sequoia trees. One of the early owners of the property, Edward Gray, nephew of Morton Salt and Morton Arboretum founder Joy Morton, had the grounds around the manor home landscaped as an arboretum. The well-planned arboretum features at least 75 native and non-native species, most identified with signage...trail guides are available. Among them: Giant Sequoia, huge Cottonwood, Ginko, Sycamore Maple, Osage Orange, Catalpa, Smoketree, Serviceberry, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Chestnuts, and more.
White tail deer make their home here along with red fox and other small creatures. Plenty of bird feeders and feeding stations situated around the manor house make for the perfect location to sit and enjoy a wide variety of birds including Cooper's Hawk and bald eagles, chickadees, nuthatch, blue jays, cardinals, juncos, woodpeckers of several varieties, finches, and many more. Famous Arabian horses were once raised on this property. The stables still stand.
Hiking trails are located on both sides of Lakeshore Road. The Jack Fern trail is a bit longer and just a bit more challenging than the trails on the lake side. Use the parking lot to access all the trails. From the parking lot, follow the trail for a short hike to the beach where with a bit of practice, you will find prized Petoskey stones, along with many other varieties of stones.
Snowshoeing is permitted...when conditions are right.
The property is located just three miles north of Manistee (US31) on Lakeshore Road...and it is about 1/4 mile north of Orchard Beach State Park. Access to the Sanctuary is free, but we rely on donations (donation tubes located by parking lot and manor house) to maintain the property. Picnic grounds are available. Flush toilets are available during the warmer months (water turned off during cold months). There is a shelter house available...open year 'round. The manor house is generally not open to the public except for certain events.
School groups, scouts, educators, birders, etc. are encourage to use the grounds for educational purposes. A complete list of trees and shrubs with descriptions is available electronically by request via email.
This is a pet-free, alcohol-free, smoke-free property. Pets on leashes are permitted on the trails on the east side of Lakeshore Road.
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Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary is a non-profit organization operated and cared for by volunteers. Please help keep trails and the property clean.
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- Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary MANISTEE (0.0 miles) - Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary graces the sugar-sand shores of Lake Michigan on Michigan's west coast...
