The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Preserve sits on South River Bay on the Garden Peninsula. © Michael D-L Jordan

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

This land is open for foot access and activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, bird watching and hunting for whitetail deer by permit. View All

Plan Your Visit

Located in Delta County in the Upper Peninsula View All

Get Directions

The Haunted Forest Preserve is 527 acres surrounding South River Bay on the beautiful Garden Peninsula. Including 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, white-cedar conifer mesic forest, coastal wetlands, and extensive limestone cliffs, a stunning mature, northern white cedar forest dubbed the “haunted forest” by the former landowners gave the preserve its name.

This area is part of the Niagara Escarpment, 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 six miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, interdunal wetlands, Great Lakes coastal 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.

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 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 came primarily through a grant from the Green Bay/Lower Fox River Natural Resource Damage Assessment Council.

In 2012, the Conservancy acquired an additional 117 acres with 1.4 miles of shoreline that were donated by the landowner.

The Conservancy is currently working on creating interpretive and access trails into the preserve.

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.

The Nature Conservancy allows hunting for white-tail deer on this preserve to reduce an unnaturally high deer population in the area and reduce threats too many deer pose to our conservation targets. All hunters are required to receive a permit from the Conservancy as well as a Michigan deer hunting license. Additionally, hunters must report any deer taken from the preserve.

Things To Do

Permitted Activities:

• Foot access for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, etc.
• Bird watching
• Photography
• Swimming in Lake Michigan
• Kayaking and canoeing (Vessels must be carried from the parking lot)
• Hunting with a Conservancy-issued permit for whitetail deer

Prohibited Activities:

• No Motorized and non-motorized vehicles
• No Pets
• No rock climbing and rappelling
• No hunting or trapping without a Conservancy-issued permit
• No removal of plants or animals (alive or dead)
• No removal of rocks, water or other non-organic materials
• No camping, bonfires, fireworks or other fires
• No firewood collecting
• No littering

Plan Your Visit

Please see "Preserve Visitation Guidelines."

Directions

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

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