On a spring morning, you might hear 20 bird species singing, from the melodious meadow lark to the raucous red-winged blackbird, in this diverse, 110-acre Natural Area. Deer and turkey winter in in the old apple orchard; the sand pit is home to a turtle nursery and brook trout live in the stream that runs through the property. The area’s treasured beaver dams have entertained generations of children.

This summer our stewardship staff and volunteers created a gorgeous new 1¼ mile trail system. It leads visitors through and around some of the most interesting and beautiful natural features of this 110-acre property that serves as the “Gateway to Empire.”

Along the stream corridor are native dogwood, black cherry, ash, maple, and poplar. The wildflowers found at Chip Run are among some of nature’s most dramatic: blue flag iris, cardinal flower and water lilies. The ecology of this area has changed over time. Ten years ago, the land around the stream and pond was submerged and hosted an active beaver community. There are few beavers right now, but they may return. Meanwhile, enjoy the mallards in the cattail marsh. Coyotes cruise this Natural Area too.

Green herons nest in the pines at the property’s south end. These trees were planted in 1953 when pine plantations were widely established to prevent erosion and start the reforestation process. The Leelanau Conservancy is currently thinning the trees to convert this monoculture to a more wildlife-friendly habitat.

A Storied History

The creek here flows into South Bar Lake, a rich hunting and fishing ground with a history of Chippewa Indian encampments. Later, settlers planted orchards on both sides of the creek, as evidenced by cherry stumps in the old meadow and an apple orchard north of the creek.

The property has since passed through many hands. In the 1960s, Bill Dowsett created a beaver pond from what was orginally a wetland. Scraps of wood in the field next to the parking area are remants from when Jerry Decker processed camp wood here and sold it at D.H. Day Campground.

Originally known as the “Gateway to Empire”, this Natural Area was established in 2000, when it was at risk of becoming a housing development. Concerned citizens teamed up with the Conservancy to preserve this longstanding local treasure.

Chippewa Run Natural Area Access:

110 Acres, Open to the Public

Spring Specialties: bird watching
Summer Surprises: blue flag iris,cardinal flower
Fall Fun: monarchs, colors along creek
Winter Wonders: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

Explore a 1.25 mile trail here on an easy terrain. From the intersection on M-72 and M-22 in Empire, head north on M-22 about 7/10 of a mile. The parking area is located on the left, or northwest side of the street just south of the creek.

"Chippewa Run has many different habitats, so it supports a wide variety of birds."--Alice VanZoeren, Docent