North Central Michigan College's Natural Area

North Central Michigan College (NCMC) is just a few minutes from downtown Petoskey. Located on the campus is the 195-acre NCMC Natural Area. A trailhead can be found behind the Student Community Resource Center and is the gateway to more than five miles of trails. Three loops of trails meander past a variety of unique habitats including a pond, a grassy meadow, a pine and maple stand as well as the Bear River. The trails are flat and are easy for leisurely strollers as well as fast-paced walkers. In the winter, the trails provide opportunities for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Bird watchers love the natural area as surveys conducted by local ornithologists and NCMC biology classes have identified as many as 34 different bird species. Bring along binoculars and bird books.