66 Luzerne Boardwalk 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

   
Photos: Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

Photo: ©Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

Luzerne Boardwalk winds through an old growth cedar swamp along the bottomlands of the East Branch of Big Creek, just south of the village of Luzerne. With towering cedars overhead and water underneath, the sturdy boardwalk (constructed and used by horseback riders) offers a unique and beautiful hike. An extensive network of hiking/horse trails extends beyond the one-half mile boardwalk, but the boardwalk itself is not a loop trail. A tornado crossed this area in 1997 and uprooted some large white pine and cedar trees. These dead snags and downed timber attract woodpeckers and chickadees and provide cover for a variety of wildlife species including bears and bobcats.

Wildlife Viewing

Good birding can be found here during spring and fall migration. In April and May, male American woodcock may be heard and seen performing their mating ritual in the air and upland fields near the parking area. Nesting birds heard and often seen during summer include ovenbirds, cedar waxwings, winter wrens, and black-throated green warblers. Flowers such as marsh marigold, sundew, turtlehead and jewelweed can be spotted along the boardwalk. Native brook trout can be viewed on occasion from a bridge that crosses over the creek, especially in the fall when they are spawning. A moss-covered opening adjacent to Big Creek one-quarter mile from the beginning of the boardwalk is a special place, and is home to edge species such as indigo buntings and song sparrows.

The two-track road and parking area are rough and narrow. Campers and R.V.'s should avoid this site.

This area is open to public hunting. Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for affected seasons and locations.