Belanger Creek Preserve
This Preserve has no trail system and is best seen on a guided hike. The parking area for scheduled guided hikes is on Peshawbestown Road, just east of where the road crosses Belanger Creek. The easiest way to find the parking area is to take Putnam Road west from M-22 (on the north end of Peshawbestown). Go approximately 0.5 mile and then turn left onto Peshawbestown Road, which is also paved. It is only another 0.5 mile to the parking area. The parking area is in an open field on the north side of the road, just east of the wetland surrounding Belanger Creek. Cedar River Natural Area
There is no trail system at this Natural Area. You can reach the property only via boat on the Cedar River. Start at the Cedar Village Park. You'll reach the Conservancy property after about 4 miles (1.5 hours paddling).
Chippewa Run Natural Area
Explore a 1-1/4 mile trail here on easy terrain. From the intersection of 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. Crystal River Natural Area
Although the conservancy helped to protect this land, the land is now part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We occasionally lead hikes here, but the best way to see the land is by canoe or kayak. DeYoung Natural Area
The 1/4 mile Cedar Lake Trail is located just across the TART trail. See kiosk. The trail is flat and winding. From Traverse City: From the intersection of M-72 and M-22 in Traverse City (Tom’s West Bay) go north on M-22 1.2 miles, turn left onto Cherry Bend Rd. Go 2.0 miles down Cherry Bend Rd., and look for the barn on your right. Pull into the parking area by the barn. From Leelanau County: From CR 641 and Cherry Bend Rd. intersection, go towards Traverse City on Cherry Bend Rd. about 2.1 miles, look for the barn on your left. Pull into the parking area by the barn.
Finton Natural Area
This smooth, level two-track connects Northport Rd. to Woolsey Rd. From Northport, take M-201 north (changes to CR 629). Turn right on Northport Point Rd (CR 640). Look for the sign and property across from Paradesia Rd. Houdek Dunes Natural Area
There are two loops here totalling 1.25 miles that traverse gentle, but sandy terrain. Steep steps lead you from the parking area to the trailhead. Beginning in Leland, drive north along M-22 approximately 5 miles to County Road 626. Proceed another ¾ mile north along M-22. A sign on the west (left) side of the road marks the entrance to the parking area. Jeff Lamont Preserve A short trail is in the works. Please note this area is closed during hunting season. Take M-201 North out of Northport. Bear RIGHT as M-201 becomes County Rd 640 and turns East. Take County Rd 640 for approx. 0.3 mi.PLEASE USE CAUTION to go LEFT onto N. Kilcherman Rd (As a landmark, there is an antique farm windmill on N. Kilcherman Rd., about 100 yards North of the intersection). Take N. Kilcherman Rd approx. 0.9 mi, then the road will bend SHARPLY to the LEFT and become Christmas Cove Rd.Take Christmas Cove Rd approx. 0.6 mi., staying straight/right as you pass Scott Rd on your left. The Jeff Lamont Preserve is approx. 0.15 mi downhill past Scott Rd on your right.
Kehl Lake Natural Area Take M-201 1.5 miles north of Northport. After 2.5 miles, go left on Snyder Road. Snyder Road “T”s at Sugar Bush Road. Go right on Sugarbush Road. Sugar Bush Road takes a sharp left turn to the North and becomes Kehl Rd. Stay on Kehl. .2 mi after you pass Ottis Road on your right, see the Conservancy sign for Kehl Lake Natural Area and parking area on left. Lighthouse West Natural Area
A new trail is in the works. Unless otherwise specified, hikes at the Lighthouse West Preserve last about 1-2 hours and are somewhat rigorous. There is some negotiating of uneven terrain and steep bluffs in order to reach the shoreline. From Northport, head north on M-201 through the Village, taking M-201/Mill Street north out of town. M-201 becomes Co. Rd. 640/Woolsey Lake Rd. Stay on Co Rd. 640/Woolsey Lake Rd. Stay straight as Co. Rd. 640/Woolsey Lake Rd. becomes Co. Rd. 629/Woolsey Lake Rd (Co. Rd 640 splits off to the right). Continue on Co. Rd 629/Woolsey Lake Rd for approximately 3 miles when it becomes Co. Rd. 629/Lighthouse Point Rd. Continue on Co. Rd. 629/Lighthouse Point Rd for approximately 2 miles, then go left on Cathead Bay Dr. Parking is approximately 0.1 mile on the right-hand side. Teichner Preserve
There is a short trail down to the lake but much of this tangled wetland area is best viewed on a guided hike. From Leland, head south on M-22 about 8 miles and turn left on South (East) Lime Lake Rd, near the SW corner of the King’s Challenge Golf Course at Sugarloaf. Once you turn off of M-22 onto Lime Lake Rd, it is just a short distance—about a mile—to the Preserve. Look for a fence on the right and park there. Whaleback Natural Area
The Whaleback trail is well-groomed and easy to follow, however, the trail quickly gains in elevation which can be rigorous. Wear shoes suitable to hiking. Beginning from the junction of M-22 and M-204 (3 mi S. of Leland), take M-22 north approx. 1 mile. A sign on the west (left) side of M-22 marks the entrance to the parking area. Continue straight for a few hundred feet on the gravel road entrance to the parking area. PLEASE NOTE: If you approach from the north, the sign is difficult to spot, so look carefully as you approach 3 miles south of Leland.
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