Majeske Landing offers public access to the Chippewa River. Recreational fishing is also available there year-round. This is a specific connection to nature in Isabella; further discoveries include protected landscapes, a former railroad route, historic buildings, and art. You can tailor your trip to the topics that interest you most.
River, Forest, and Parks
The Isabella County park system includes eight parks with a combined area of more than 1,000 acres. This area figure applies to all eight parks together and gives an overview of the county’s park system. Individual sites have their own distinct features: Bundy Hill Preserve protects the highest point in Isabella County as well as an adjoining buffer of deciduous forest. In contrast to the river access and recreational fishing at Majeske Landing, the focus here is on the high point and forest conservation. Together, these nature experiences range from the water to a protected landscape.
A Former Railroad Route and Distinctive Bridges
The Pere Marquette Rail Trail follows the route between Midland and Clare that was formerly used by the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad. The former rail connection is a specific part of this route’s history. Here, you can consider the trail’s present-day name alongside the route’s historic use, without mistaking its railroad past for a current rail service.
Bridges feature prominently in descriptions of Deerfield Nature Park: there are four bridge crossings, including two suspension bridges, the Lewis Pontiac Bridge, and the Fisher Annex Covered Bridge. The number and names give a concrete sense of the structures that distinguish the park. This offers a different perspective on paths and landscapes than the historical context of the railroad route: here, the focus is on bridge crossings, while there it is on the route’s former use by the railroad.
Discover History and Culture
Bohannon Schoolhouse was built in 1901 and moved to the Central Michigan University campus in 1970. The dates mark different stages: 1901 refers to its construction, and 1970 to its later relocation. The schoolhouse is open to the public by prior appointment. If you would like to visit, arrange your appointment in advance.
The Ziibiwing Center offers further cultural insights. Its permanent exhibit, Diba Jimooyung, tells the history of the Indigenous people of the Great Lakes. The site also features a seasonal plant exhibit that is open from June through September; the dates may vary from year to year. If you plan to visit this exhibit, check the dates for that year. For meetings or events, the Ziibiwing Center offers Anishinabe singing and dance performances; they can take place at the center or at another venue. The permanent exhibit, seasonal plant theme, and performances provide different ways to engage with culture and history.
The Central Michigan University Art Gallery has its own focus, presenting contemporary art by regional, national, and international artists. While Diba Jimooyung tells the history of the Indigenous people of the Great Lakes, the gallery focuses on contemporary art and a broad range of artists.
Getting There and Planning Your Trip
The city of Mt. Pleasant is accessible via US-127 and M-20. You can plan your trip around specific themes of the destination.
Discover more destinations: Mt Pleasant, Roberts County, Arenac County, Genesee, Menominee County, Alcona County, Kalkaska County, Wayne
Return to the main travel overview: Michigan.
