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Zetterberg Preserve at Point Betsie

This plant only flowers once in its lifetime
Pitcher's thistle
© TNC Archives

Why You Should Visit
Point Betsie is a dynamic mosaic of shifting sand dunes, interdunal wetlands, boreal forest and sandy Lake Michigan beaches. This globally-imperiled open dune habitat provides a place where threatened species such as Pitcher’s thistle, fascicled broomrape and the Lake Huron locust can thrive. Dune vegetation includes the Michigan lily, marram grass, beach pea and hoary puccoon with forested islands of balsam fir, paper birch, red oak and creeping juniper. Peaceful ponds among the dunes swell and shrink in sync with water levels in Lake Michigan, attracting migrating birds such as the semipalmated plover. Cedar waxwings flit through pockets of forest while spotted sandpiper and killdeer scurry over the sand.

Location
Benzie County in the Lower Peninsula

Hours
Open year-round, dawn to dusk

Conditions
The rare Pitcher’s thistle blooms in July with cream-colored flowers. Point Betsie also offers excellent bird watching opportunities during the spring and fall migrations, which are in May and late August through September respectively.
Natural hazards to be aware of include poison ivy and leafy spurge, which can cause skin irritations. Walking the sand dunes of this preserve is strenuous, and there are dangerous lake currents offshore. Be sure to bring plenty of water with you when you visit. Please note the photo of Pitcher’s thistle to help you avoid trampling plants that may be along the trail. Most of these plants along the trail should be flagged to assist you.

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

Directions
From Frankfort, Michigan:

  • Point Betsie Preserve is located approximately 4.5 miles north of Frankfort off of M-22. At Point Betsie Road, turn left (west).
  • Follow Point Betsie Road for 0.5 miles, to the wooden preserve sign on the south side of the road.
  • You can park on the roadside by the sign, or drive to the end of the road near the lighthouse and walk back to the preserve sign. A trail starts near the sign.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Point Betsie became a preserve through the generosity of Steve and Connie Zetterberg. In 1988 the Zetterbergs donated the original 71 acres of virgin sand dunes which became the Zetterberg Preserve at Point Betsie—property that had been in their family for generations. After having been preserved by the Zetterberg family, Point Betsie is now maintained by the Conservancy and cherished by generations of Michiganians.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Volunteers are removing baby’s breath from the coastal dunes. This invasive species has roots that stabilize the dunes, threatening the processes that create this unique ecosystem and threatening the survival of endangered plants such as Pitcher’s thistle.