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Michigan DNR > wildlife viewing guide > northern lower peninsula > skegemog swamp Select a Site 37 Ludington 38 Hamlin Lake 39 Lake Bluff 40 North Country 41 Manistee 42 Mitchell 43 Brandybrook 44 Sleeping Bear 45 Suttons Bay 46 Sand Lakes 47 Skegemog 48 Grass River 49 Jordan River 50 Wilderness 51 Mill Creek 52 Cheboygan 53 Thompsons 54 NettieBay 55 Tomahawk 56 Pigeon River 57 Fletcher Flood 58 Deward 59 Hartwick 60 Fletcher Shrptl 61 Dead Stream 62 Houghton 63 Backus 64 Marl & S. Hig. 65 Wakeley 66 Luzerne 67 Jack Pine 68 Au Sable 69 Rifle River 70 Tuttle Marsh 71 Tawas Point 72 Wigwam Bay 73 Pinconning

47 Skegemog Swamp Pathway   wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information The observation platform at the end of the Skegemog Swamp Pathway offers scenic views of Skegemog Lake and the surrounding wetland area. Photos: © Phil Seng Photo: © Ray Rustem An extensive wooden boardwalk winds through a beautiful cedar swamp and crosses a small creek as it makes its way to the wild and scenic east end of Skegemog Lake. The boardwalk leads to an observation tower that provides a beautiful view of Skegemog Lake and its surrounding wetlands. Wildlife Viewing Photo: © Ray Rustem The boardwalk at this site provides a unique opportunity for visitors to walk into the heart of a lush, wet cedar swamp without needing boots or waders. The abandoned railroad grade that leads to the boardwalk is a favorite sunning spot for the secretive Massasauga rattlesnake?Michigan’s only rattlesnake. Walk quietly and watch carefully for these small snakes basking along the grade from late spring through summer. From the boardwalk you may view herons, egrets, swamp songbirds, and mink, otters, beavers, and other wetland wildlife. Listen for the song sparrows, swamp sparrows common yellowthroats, and yellow warblers that nest along the edge of the wetland, or the shy but melodious winter wren in the cedar swamp. Bald eagles nest in the area and the observation tower provides a good vantage point to catch them perching or fishing along Skegemog Lake. Portions of this area are open to public hunting. Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for affected seasons and locations.

Directions

From Kalkaska, take M-72 west about 4 miles to County Road 597 (sign says "To Rapid City"). Turn right (north) and proceed about 3 miles to the parking area on the left (west) side of the road.

Ownership: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Forest Management Division, Traverse City Management Unit, (231) 922-5280, or Kalkaska Field Office, (231) 258-2711.

Size: 2,700 acres

Closest Town: Torch River, Rapid City

Weather and Driving Directions for Rapid City

Plan Your Trip with travel.michigan.org!

Photo: © Phil Seng

Facilities and Opportunities

Trails – short trail, 0.1 of a mile, boardwalk and wildlife observation platform. Trial maintained by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy .
Hunting – area is open to hunting.

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