Wetlands, shorelines and a water trail still under development shape Arenac County’s natural landscape. When planning your trip, you can choose from birdwatching, walking trails, coastal landscapes and regional history. The options are not the same everywhere: Some nature preserves list specific recreational activities, while the Blue Water Trail offers limited access and few facilities.
Wetlands and Nature Watching
The Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area encompasses 3,137 acres of coastal marshland in Arenac County. The Au Gres Delta Nature Preserve offers a different perspective on the landscape: 97.5 percent of its land is classified as wetlands in the National Wetlands Inventory. The preserve borders the west shore of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay and is located on the Au Gres River. Listed recreational activities there include birdwatching and wildlife watching.
The Eickholt-Pressprich Nature Preserve is also of interest for nature watching. It provides habitat for frogs, turtles, deer, waterfowl and wildflowers; hiking is one of the listed activities. At the Saganing Trailhead, dense woodland meets the Saganing River delta wetlands. Both can be reached on foot from the parking lot. Snowshoeing is a listed winter activity there. If you prefer a lakeside walk, Oasis Lake Park has a trail along the lake and through the woods. Oasis Lake itself covers 22 acres, is clear and spring-fed, and is completely surrounded by a sandy shore.
Natural areas do not automatically mean public access: The Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public to protect sensitive colonial-nesting waterbirds and a federally endangered plant species. This restriction distinguishes it from the other named preserves that offer recreational opportunities.
Coast and Water Trails
Point Au Gres Park is on Lake Huron at Saginaw Bay and offers access to more than 900 feet of sandy beach. It is also considered the main launch site for the Arenac County Blue Water Trail. The project, which began in 2013, is intended to give kayakers and canoeists opportunities to observe waterfowl and wildlife along the northern shore of Saginaw Bay. The trail is still under development and is primarily a wilderness experience: There are few or no facilities along the coast, and access at the respective road ends is very limited. Take these conditions into account when planning rather than assuming the route is fully developed throughout.
Au Gres offers additional opportunities on the water and in town. The lighted waterfront path at Au Gres City Park runs along the Au Gres River. A four-mile bike path leads from downtown to the river’s mouth. Au Gres Riverside Park, which is operated by the city and open to the public free of charge, has, among other things, a play area, a large pavilion, a splash pad and a fish-cleaning station. The Au Gres Farmer’s Market takes place at the Riverside Park Pavilion on Fridays and Saturdays from June through August. The park also has a dock for transit boats.
Local History and Other Activities
Regional history can be explored through several specific collections. The Arenac County Historical Society Museum features an exhibit on commercial fishing, with a stationary 1910 IHC engine, nets and fishing equipment. Ye Olde Courthouse houses the North East Michigan (NEM) Baseball League Museum, covering the period from 1916 to 1986. The museum room at Standish Historic Depot contains railroad artifacts, memorabilia from the depot’s days in operation, and photographs and documents on local history.
For another activity, consider the free 18-hole Old Airport Disc Golf Course. When planning your stay, you can focus on what interests you most: wetland and wildlife watching, coastal trails and water activities, or local history. Conditions vary from place to place; limited access and few facilities are especially important to keep in mind on the Blue Water Trail, while other offerings include clearly identified trails, collections or park facilities. This makes it possible to choose a hotel that suits your preferred focus for the stay.
Discover more destinations: Alger, Au Gres, Alcona County, Ottawa, Roscommon County, Lenawee County, Washtenaw, Delta County.
For the main travel overview: Michigan.
