Gerstacker Preserve

Gerstacker Preserve east of Cedarville

This 890-acre Nature Conservancy preserve was named after Carl A. Gerstacker. A key Dow Chemical chairman of the board, he was a founding member of The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. The preserve encompasses several distinctive habitats. A sand beach, good for swimming, is right on M-134. Farther west, says the Nature Conservancy guide, "Dudley Bay features one of the most spectacular bedrock shorelines in Michigan." Here along the shore and in the dunes can be seen rare and unusual plants like Houghton's goldenrod, Pitcher's thistle, and dwarf lake iris, which grows only near northern Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

Most of the preserve's land is north of M-134. Two or three miles of well-marked trail and loops go to Big Trout Lake through old dune ridges, mature white pine and hardwoods, and second-growth forests. They are home to many kinds of bird and animals, including loons and pileated woodpeckers. Songbird migration is in May. It's a good idea to bring insect repellent and wear a hat on your visit.

On M-134 about 8 miles east of the big viaduct at Port Dolomite, and about 13 miles east of Cedarville. No entry fee. Not
wheelchair accessible.
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CEDARVILLE
POINTS OF INTEREST

Carmeuse Limestone, Cedarville Plant . Big port for freighters loading limestone that underlies most of this region ... more

Gerstacker Preserve. 890-acre stunning bedrock shoreline preserve has rare plants. 2+ miles of trails wind through dunes, forests. See loons, pileated woodpeckers. Swim off sandy beach. ... more

Government Island. This island of birch and conifers, the only public island among Les Cheneaux, is a nice picnic or camping destination, with a swimming beach ... more

Great Lakes Boat Building School. In this region long known for fine wooden boats there is now an impressive school teaching the art ... more

Les Cheneaux Historical Museum. Exhibits and excellent videos illuminate the natural history development of the Cedarville/Hessel area, from Indian artifacts to lumber camps and tourist and resort eras. ... more

Safe Harbor Books. This personal bookshop has a good selection of regional, Great Lakes maritime and nature books, plus rubber stamping supplies. ... more

Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum. Boats & boat-related things in a 1920s boathouse: sailboats, canoes, rowboats, old photos ... more

Prentiss Bay Marsh. Scores of nesting boxes for tree swallows are scattered across this wetland. ... more

Cedarville Wi-fi Hotspot. Les Cheneaux Public Library has wi-fi 24/7 in parking lot. Open Tues, Wed & Fri 11-5, Thur 11-8, Sat 10-3. 75 E. Hodeck St., south from I-134. ... more

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