The Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum are midway between Caseville and Port Austin. The interpretive center offers insights into the area’s wild features and typical plants and animals that make the Upper Thumb their home. The wilderness arboretum provides over 120 acres of woods, dunes, and marsh connected by an intensive trail system. This provides a glimpse of the upper thumb as it appeared 100 years ago. The land comprises alternating dune ridges (now with mature growth) and broad pine areas, oak, fern, and huckleberry.
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The area was established in 1941 by Huron County Women’s Clubs on a large tract of untouched forest and ancient dunes in Hume Township, Michigan.
What To Expect at the HCNC
The Nature Center offers visitors the opportunity to explore its trails year-round, from dawn until dusk, with a closing time of 10:00 PM. Admission is always free, making it an accessible destination for all. Digital trail maps are available for convenience at www.michigantrailmaps.com.
The Visitor’s Center building opens on weekends during the summer months, providing additional information and resources. Guests are welcome to bring their dogs to enjoy the trails, provided they are kept on a leash no longer than six feet. It’s vital for dog owners to clean up after their pets and take the waste with them.
While the Nature Center welcomes many visitors, horseback riding is not allowed on the trails. The boardwalks are not built to support the weight of horses, and the trails are too narrow to safely accommodate both horses and walkers.
Families with young children or visitors with mobility needs can use strollers and wheelchairs on the walking trails, especially on the paved loop. Other wheeled and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the walking trails to ensure safety and enjoyment for all. The Nature Center is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, making it an ideal spot for a day of nature exploration and relaxation.
Walk on the Wild Side at the Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum
The center offers many special weekend programs for families and naturalists. Check the Centers’ Programs and Events calendar for details and times. It also provides well-groomed trails, raised boardwalks, and an interpretive center.
There is no charge to visit and walk the trails. However, donations are welcomed.
This site offers some of the best Thumb nature trails around. It’s dog-friendly and now provides a new mountain bike trail option.
Open 365 days of the year from dawn to dusk – No entrance fee or Michigan Recreation Passport required.
Accessibility Trail
An attractive trail at the HCNC is the accessibility trail. This .37-mile loop is paved, allowing those with walking difficulty, strollers, and wheelchairs to see the woods, marsh, and old dunes firsthand. There are informative signs along the way denoting the local wildlife, plants, and unique aspects of the area. This trail also offers a raised boardwalk out to the marsh. It’s an excellent opportunity to watch birds without getting wet.
Map of Walking Trails at HCNC
Huron County Nature Center Mountian Biking Trail
In 2017, the HCNC enlisted the help of bikers Rob Hair and Steve Penn to design a wilderness biking and hiking path roughly half a mile east of the present trail system but on the south side of Loosemore Road. Fundraising was carried out to cover the cost of four long boardwalks. In addition, the land was cleared of brush, and volunteer workers cut new pathways.
They combined a five-loop trail system with linking trails to create a nearly 4-mile-long mountain bike track. This single route follows ridges split by swales in the landscape. This trail might get muddy, but it makes for a thrilling ride.
Although the trail loops are available to hikers and trail runners, it is intended for off-road cycling. All loops are designed to be traveled counterclockwise to minimize accidental interactions between trail users.
The Huron County Nature Center’s bike trail joins the Sleeper State Park bike trails as the only wilderness bike/hike trails open to off-road cyclists in the entire Thumb region of Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties.
Map of HCNC Biking Trails
Late Summer Events in 2024 At HCNC
On August 3, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, the Nature Center will host the Michigan Avian Experience. This event features a bald eagle and two other raptors, offering a unique opportunity for a fun and educational program. Guests will also have the chance to take a photo with the majestic Bald Eagle. This event is ideal for families and bird enthusiasts.
On August 10, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, artist Wanda Eichler returns by popular demand for a session on Zentangle. She will guide participants through a relaxing, step-by-step process to create art using structured patterns. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch to enjoy between the morning and afternoon sessions. Pre-registration opens in late July, and details can be found on the Nature Center’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HCnaturecenter. A class fee of $20 is payable on the day of attendance.
On August 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, Bevin Cohen, an author and seed saver, will present “Let’s Talk Tomatoes, Small Home Farms.” Cohen will share fascinating stories about the tomato’s journey from South America and its influence on various cuisines and cultures around the world. Attendees will also learn tips and tricks to maximize their tomato harvest.
On August 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, Jim and Carol McGrath of Nature Discoveries will present “Michigan Snakes.” This interactive event will explore the fascinating world of Michigan’s native snakes. Participants will have the opportunity to touch and hold some of these incredible animals under safe and supervised conditions. This event is perfect for families and nature enthusiasts interested in learning more about these often misunderstood creatures.
Location of Huron County Nature Center
The HCNC is located east of Thomson County Park and south of Oak Beach County Park. Look for signs. Head south of M-25 on Oak Beach Road and turn left onto Loosemore Road. The center is on the left.
Other Attractions Near the Huron County Nature Center & Wilderness Arboretum
A Dozen Things to See and Do Around Huron County – Many folks have come up to Michigan’s Thumb for their entire lives but have never seen these exciting sites.
The Huron Nature Center is the official site. It is Open 365 days of the year from dawn to dusk. No entrance fee or Michigan Recreation Passport is required. Visitors can enjoy hiking and a 3.7-mile biking trail.
On a Lake Huron Sand Dune…at Midnight – When the summer is over, it’s an entirely different feeling in the upper thumb.
12 Free Things to Do in Michigan’s Thumb – We went looking for neat and exciting things and came up with this list of a dozen free things to do in Michigan’s Thumb. All are family-oriented and many are free. All they cost is your time.
17 Amusing Things to Do In Caseville Besides the Cheeseburger Festival – The 2020 Pandemic has forced the cancellation of the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival this year. The festival is late summer, a fun-filled family event with plenty to do and see. But what else can you do?
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