Discover Alpena: A Beautiful Nature Paradise in Northeast Lower Michigan
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If exploring the great outdoors is high on your itinerary when planning a vacation, you’ll love all the nature-centric things to do in Alpena, Michigan! Nestled on the shores of Lake Huron, Alpena is the perfect destination for citizen-scientists and nature enthusiasts looking to get away and enjoy an outdoor adventure in Northeast Lower Michigan.
Known as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, Alpena’s welcoming atmosphere and proximity to Lake Huron give it a unique appeal as a thriving modern community on nature’s doorstep.
Whether you’re looking forward to soaking up scenic views from a beach chair, hunting for fossils, gazing at the night sky at a dark sky preserve, or admiring local wildflowers, Alpena beckons you to come and explore.
Special thanks to Visit Alpena for partnering with Awesome Mitten to bring you this ad-free destination guide.
Wildlife & Wildflowers Abound in Alpena
Alpena is known for its abundant outdoor recreation areas, including several nature preserves where wildlife and wildflowers abound. These protected parks are perfect for bird-watching and enjoying scenic hikes with the opportunity to spot unique plants like Michigan’s state wildflower, the dwarf lake iris.
Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary
The Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning nearly 500 acres in the heart of Alpena, is a wonderland of outdoor activities amidst diverse ecosystems.
Peaceful Trails
Within this wildlife sanctuary lies Island Park, a 17-acre haven situated on the Thunder Bay River at the junction of US-23 and Long Rapids Road. The park features 4,400 feet of waterfront, providing a pristine setting for nature lovers to explore.
Accessible to foot traffic by a hand-hewn, wooden covered bridge, Island Park serves as a peaceful retreat, offering both paved and unpaved nature trails perfect for observing a variety of local flora and fauna. The island’s paved trail leads to a lookout platform which accommodates strollers and wheelchairs.
Island Park is believed to be the historic home of Sah-gon-ah-ka-to, Alpena’s last native chief, and continues to be a focal point for conservation and outdoor education.
Rich Biodiversity
Botanical enthusiasts will find the island’s diverse plant life fascinating, with native species like Starry False Solomon’s Seal, Wild Sarsaparilla, and Queen Anne’s Lace flourishing in its prairie grasslands. On the island’s south shore, Oak Dunes reveal the island’s large sand dune and red osier dogwood, willow, and meadowsweet grow on the water’s edge.
Oak Dunes and nearby Blackbird Marsh provide habitats for a variety of wildlife, including beaver and muskrats, while Turtle Bar is known for its snapping turtle nests. The surrounding sanctuary’s varied habitats, including marshes, meadows, sand dunes, and woodlands, are home to diverse wildlife such as otters, beaver, an occasional white-tail deer, Least Bitterns, egrets, songbirds, and various waterfowl.
The sanctuary is one of several Alpena-area locations on the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail, a 145-mile trail extending along US-23 from the Au Sable River in Oscoda to Mackinaw City and showcasing the region’s avian diversity.
Serene Waters
The canoe and kayak launch at adjoining Duck Park enhances the opportunity for unique water-based exploration of the area.
Bring your own watercraft or reserve a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe from Alpena Pedal & Paddle Rental. Paddle along the serene waters of the wildlife sanctuary’s Blue Heron Water Trail and you just might spot a great blue heron on your journey.
Misery Bay Nature Preserve
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy this 133-acre land tract on Misery Bay in Alpena Township which includes more than 9,000 feet of scenic Lake Huron shoreline with coastal marshes, fens, and cobble beaches.
This public preserve is a stronghold for the elusive dwarf lake iris, Michigan’s state wildflower, that grows on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, as well as over 100 other plant species. Visitors can typically see the purple dwarf lake iris around mid-May within the preserve.
About 25 miles north of Alpena, Thompson’s Harbor State Park is home to more than 5,000 acres and has one of the state’s largest populations of dwarf lake iris.
The preserve is also home to numerous trails where visitors can catch glimpses of nesting birds, including Black-throated Green Warblers and American Redstarts. Plant species include pitcher plants, Canada Mayflower, Indian Paintbrush, and Sticky False Asphodel.
Alpena Offers Unique Rock & Fossil Hunting Opportunities
Rockport State Recreation Area
Located just north of Alpena, Rockport State Recreation Area is the perfect place to discover the rugged beauty of Lake Huron’s coastline in a 4,237-acre park that includes a diverse mix of recreational and natural offerings.
Rockport’s natural attractions include a nearly 300-acre former limestone quarry, secluded sandy beaches, a bat hibernaculum, a deep water fishing port, a fascinating series of sinkholes, a unique range of habitats, and the Besser Natural Area.
Rockhound Along the Lake Huron
Residents and visitors alike enjoy Rockport’s big lake coastline. Rockhounds can comb for Petoskey stones, agates, pudding stones, and other rocks along the park’s coastline.
Fossil Hunt in the Limestone Quarry
Within Rockport, the limestone quarry provides a unique opportunity for fossil hunting in Michigan. Adventurers can search for Devonian Period fossils such as brachiopods, crinoids, bryozoans, and corals.
Wear sturdy shoes to safely navigate the rocky terrain in the quarry and bring a bucket to carry all your treasures home. Up to 25 pounds of fossils are allowed to be collected and taken home.
Majestic Dark Sky Preserves in Alpena Are Perfect for Stargazing
The Alpena region is one of Michigan’s most majestic spots to enjoy the night sky. Of the six dark sky preserves in Michigan, three are located near Alpena in Northeast Lower Michigan and boast awe-inspiring displays of constellations, stars, meteor showers, the Milky Way Galaxy, and even the Northern Lights.
Rockport State Recreation Area is the closest dark sky preserve to Alpena. Rockport’s location on the Lake Huron shoreline makes it the perfect spot for night sky viewing.
A half-hour north of Rockport, Thompson’s Harbor State Park is a dark sky preserve in Presque Isle County and includes six miles of rustic trails to explore.
To the south of Alpena in Alcona County, Negwegon State Park is a popular spot for hikers, birdwatchers, campers, and those who love stargazing.
Alpena’s Shipwreck Alley Shows the Power of the Great Lakes
Alpena is one of the best places in Michigan to not only experience the Great Lakes but to learn about and respect their awesome power. Known as “Shipwreck Alley,” the waters along the region’s coast are home to over 200 shipwrecks.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, located in Lake Huron off the coast of Alpena, Michigan, protects a collection of 100 documented historic shipwrecks. These shipwrecks span a range of eras from wooden schooners to steel-hulled freighters, reflecting the evolution of maritime technology and the rich history of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Unforgettable Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Visitors who want an up-close look at these underwater wonders can climb aboard the Lady Michigan for an unforgettable tour of Lake Huron’s Shipwreck Alley.
The Lady Michigan offers a guided, narrated tour with two decks. The lower deck features glass bottom viewing wells to see the remains of shipwrecks. The upper deck allows passengers to enjoy the elements during the tour.
For those more adventurous, diving and snorkeling provide up-close experiences with these underwater treasures. Additionally, kayaking and paddleboarding offer unique perspectives of the shallow shipwrecks and the scenic coastline.
Make the Most of Your Alpena Getaway
When exploring Michigan’s Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, you’ll want to be sure to allow several hours or even several days to make the most of your adventures. Eating and staying locally is a great way to expand your itinerary.
Eat Local in Alpena
As one of Northeast Lower Michigan’s biggest cities, Alpena is home to many unique restaurants that satisfy every tastebud.
A few Alpena restaurant recommendations to try:
- Red Brick Tap and Barrel for an upscale menu and extensive collection of bourbon and cocktails
- Mangos for authentic Mexican cuisine and margaritas
- Cabin Creek Coffee for cozy coffee house vibes
- Downtown Scoops for a sweet ice cream treat
Where to Stay in Alpena
As a nature lover’s wonderland on Lake Huron, Alpena is a popular vacation destination for those who want to bask in the beauty of the Great Lakes. It’s no surprise then that there are numerous lodging options for those wanting to get away.
Some great places to stay in Alpena include:
Visit Alpena, Michigan’s Sanctuary of the Great Lakes
Exploring the outdoors is the best way to experience the natural beauty of northern Michigan, and the Alpena region offers numerous opportunities to connect with nature.
The Sanctuary of the Great Lakes welcomes visitors of all ages. As a top family-friendly destination, it’s an adventurous place to enjoy some of the most scenic natural spaces in Michigan and protect them for future generations.
From its friendly local atmosphere and scenic beaches to its sprawling natural spaces and dark sky preserves, Alpena is truly a sanctuary – the perfect escape to find relaxation, rejuvenation, and recreation on the shores of Lake Huron.
My brother, daughter and I just returned from Alpena! We stayed at a small cabin on Long Lake. Growing up, my brother & I spent weeks with our Grandparents who lived there. The Besser Museum has many of Grandpa’s photographs and historical writings on Alpena!