Echo Lake Preserve

Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy

• Location: Michigan
• Travel Type: Walking
• Trip Time: 45 minutes
• Language:

The Echo Lake Preserve is about 20 minutes northwest of Marquette, Michigan, near the shore of Lake Superior. Visitors year-round can enjoy outdoor activities from snowshoeing in from the highway in the winter to hiking and carry-in canoeing in the summer.

Early May and late July through October are the best times to visit this preserve to take advantage of Upper Michigan’s beauty while avoiding biting insects—if you come in the midsummer months, be sure to bring insect repellent and protective gear.

This tour takes you on an out-and-back journey to the peninsula overlook, about a 1 hour walk round trip. Or, you can add in some steeper hiking to an overlook with stunning views of the surrounding forestland and Lake Superior. This view is particularly spectacular in the “leaf-off” periods—spring, winter and late fall. This option takes about 1 and a half hours to walk round trip.

While you are walking, you will learn about the rich and varied habitat of the 480-acre Preserve. There are long-standing forests, granite peaks and crystal lakes.

Because the surrounding area has limited human development, it provides a relatively large, unbroken landscape for wildlife. This includes species such as bobcats, moose, river otters, and black bears that love those red oak acorns! The aspen trees provide migratory songbirds with nesting or stopover habitat. Watch for songbirds on your hike and the audio tour will teach you some of their calls to listen for.

If the ground is soft or covered with snow, you might spy the tracks of some of these species. You may encounter signs of the elusive Echo Lake wolf pack, one of the most famous wolf packs in the Upper Peninsula.

Along with stories about the Preserve’s flora and fauna, you will hear about its cultural history and role in maintaining this area water systems.

Tour Sponsors
The Echo Lake Preserve, in Marquette County, Michigan, is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends.

In Michigan, TNC works to protect and conserve vital ecosystems so we can enjoy resilient forests, thriving coasts, and healthy waters for generations to come.

Find More Tours Near You
If you enjoy this tour, check out more audio tours presented by The Nature Conservancy Michigan: Nan Weston Preserve, Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve, Carl A. Gerstacker Preserve, Mary Macdonald Preserve, Helmut and Candis Stern Preserve, and McMahon Lake Preserve

In addition, you can find other tours in Michigan or wherever your travels may take you at TravelStorys.com. Everyplace has a story.