Massive 73,000-Acre Stretch of Michigan’s U.P. Is Now Protected

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula already feels like one of those places that's pretty off the grid, and now a huge chunk of it is going to stay that way.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says more than 73,000 acres of the Michigamme Highlands are now protected through a new conservation easement covering land in Baraga, Iron, and Marquette counties.

And when I say huge, I mean huge.

What’s Being Protected in the Michigamme Highlands?

Dave Hoefler Unsplash

According to WXYZ, the property includes the peak of Mount Arvon, which is the highest point in Michigan.

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It also includes 37 miles of rivers, 220 miles of streams, 96 lakes and ponds, and more than 13,600 acres of wetlands.

It’s also home to lots of wildlife, including moose, black bears, deer, fishers, trout, and salmon.

So yeah, there’s a lot packed into those 73,000 acres.

You’ll Still Be Able to Enjoy the Land

Dan Cutler on Unsplash

The best part is, people will still be able to get out there and enjoy it.

The good news is, people will still be able to get out there and enjoy it. The entire property will remain open for nonmotorized activities like hiking, while certain roads and trails will also stay open for snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.

The project was made possible through more than $20 million in federal, state, and private grant funding.

Basically, Michigan gets to protect a massive piece of the U.P. while still allowing people to actually get out there and enjoy it. That feels like a pretty solid win.