Besser Natural Area

134-acre natural area

Six miles southeast of Presque Isle on Grand Lake Road, the Besser Natural Area contains a stand of mature, virgin red and white pine with spruce, balsam, cedar and birch. Includes over 4,000 feet of Lake Huron shoreline composed primarily of limestone gravel shore. Provides habitat for plant species of special concern, including the Pitcher's thistle, a plant threatened with extinction.

One of the areas in Michigan with virgin white and red pines, the Besser Natural Area is a beautiful historic site in Presque Isle and also the former village of Bell.

In winter, snowshoe through the one-mile trail that leads through the “ghost town” of Bell, just 20 minutes north of Alpena.

Birding Site: US-23 north of Long Lake; turn east onto Rayburn Hwy at 2 miles; this road becomes Grand Lake Road. Continue on Grand Lk. Rd. for another 1.2 miles, turn right (east) onto Bell Bay Rd and veer to the right to the site. Warblers (s)/woodland (s,sm), shorebirds (s,su,f) Key for best birding season- y (year-round) s (spring) su (summer) f (fall) w (winter)

Launch Type: Carry-in Launching (Kayak)

Beach Type: Sand

Beach Approach: Low Banks

Facilities/Services: 1 Restroom (Pit)

Notes: Very good access Site; Parking lot, sandy Beach with low dune Features; Hiking trails; Northern access to Rockport property and miles of undeveloped beaches; Opportunity to paddle along Rockport property to the south and False Presque Isle to the North. Site of an old village; no structures or remnants present

Things To Do: Birding, Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Kayaking, Self-Guided Touring, Snowshoeing, Wildlife Watching

Open: Year-round