US-MI-Wilderness+State+Park


 * =Birding in Michigan=

Emmet County
=Wilderness State Park= 903 Wilderness Park Drive Carp Lake, MI 49718 [|Wilderness State Park web site] [|Wilderness State Park map]

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Wilderness SP
Coordinates: 45.7449463, -84.8994684 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Wilderness SP--Waugoshance Point
Coordinates: 45.7572089, -84.9713945 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Wilderness State Park
This beautiful natural area is located on a long finger of land that protrudes into Lake Michigan on the northwest tip of the Lower Peninsula. It offers scenic views of Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinac, and the Mackinac Bridge. A diversity of habitats from the sand dunes and beaches along the coastline to the mixed conifer and deciduous forest habitat in the interior offer a rich and diverse selection of plants and animals. On the east end, visitors are greeted by stands of virgin hemlock trees and second growth red pines that tower nearly 100 feet into the air. Wildlife watchers will find campgrounds and an extensive series of trails that provide foot access into the park’s interior and out to the western tip of the park at Waugoshance Point. The Lakeview Road on the south takes you through the Lake Michigan sand dune habitat and past a great beach. The Wilderness Park Drive on the north takes you along the north shore and through the typical wooded habitat found throughout much of the interior of the park.

The rare piping plover often nests on the sandy beaches on the south and north edges of the park, particularly during lower water periods. Portions of these beaches near the plover nests are closed to foot traffic and dogs during the critical summer periods of May through August. **Please help protect these endangered shorebirds by staying away from the marked areas when the plovers are nesting and raising their young.**

Gulls and terns, mallards, mergansers, and loons can be seen from and along the park’s many miles of coastline. During spring and late summer, migrating shorebirds stop here to feed and rest. Late April and early May are good times to catch migrating hawks and owls along these coastal habitats as well as migrating songbirds later in May. The mixed conifer-deciduous forests host many species of breeding birds, especially woods warblers, which the park is famous for. Many species can be seen or heard along the hiking trails and Wilderness Park Drive.

Common Loons and Bald Eagles both commonly nest in the park. Wilderness State Park boasts a large population of wild orchids, including the rose pogonia, grass pink, calypso orchid, showy ram’s head, and lady’s slippers. Threatened shoreline species like the Houghton’s goldenrod, dwarf lake iris and pitcher thistle are also found here. Stop at the park headquarters to learn where and when the best times are to catch the flowers in bloom, and don’t forget to ask for the park’s wildflower and bird checklists.

From [|Wilderness State Park web site]
 * Portions of this area are open to public hunting.** Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for affected seasons and locations.

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media type="custom" key="27360642" || L248862 US US-MI US-MI-047 45.7449463 -84.8994684 Wilderness SP  L935317 US US-MI US-MI-047 45.7572089 -84.9713945 Wilderness SP--Waugoshance Point