Grand Traverse County, MI

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Grand Traverse County, MI

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Maple Bay Park & Natural Area

10849 US 31 North
Williamsburg, MI 49690
Traverse City, MI 49686

Contact

Katelynn Brown, Office Coordinator
231-922-4818
(231) 929-7911 (Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy)

Hours

M - F: 6:00 AM — 11:00 PM
Sat: 6:00 AM — 11:00 PM
Sun: 6:00 AM — 11:00 PM

Rating

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Maple Bay Park & Natural Area

Documents	Maple Bay Park and Natural Area Master Plan (PDF)
Other Link	Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy - Maple Bay Natural Area

Features

Beach
Birding
Hunting (Designated Areas Only)
Nature Watching
Parking
Trails

Maple Bay Natural Area

Maple Bay Natural Area is a 450-acre property that straddles both sides of North U.S. 31. This property is known for its beautiful sunflowers planted on both sides of the highway by local farmers on leased land as well as wonderful hiking trails leading to 2,586 feet of pristine shoreline on East Grand Traverse Bay. This park is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species.

Beach Access

To access the beach visitors will travel past Maple Bay Farm (including a farm house, root cellar, sugar shack and pole barn building) on the west side of North U.S. 31 to a parking area on top of a bluff where forests meet agricultural fields.

Trail Information

The trail descends the bluff steeply to its foot where many dune zones, including dune swale complexes, can be seen. These areas are sensitive and are home to several endangered plant species. The trail length is approximately 2 miles round trip and can be extended with a walk on the beach.

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