Portage Marsh Wildlife Area

Mary Hunt

In April and October waterfowl and shorebirds visit this protected small bay and two-mile sand spit with trail two miles south of Escanaba. Shorebirds are plentiful on the beach, where you can swim, too.

Just south of Escanaba along Green Bay, there's excellent, easy birding here. At the mouth of Portage Creek a narrow, two-mile spit creates a protected small bay and coastal wetland complex of sand beach, cattail marsh, wet meadows, shrubby thickets, and inter-dunal ponds. Migrating waterfowl like to stop, usually in April and October. These 600 acres of varied state-owned habitat are surrounded by suburban development. They are a haven for all kinds of shore and wading birds, frogs, muskrat, and more. Bald eagles and Caspian and common terns are often seen. Hunting and trapping are permitted.

A simple foot trail goes out .6 mile on a dike toward Portage Point along the marsh-facing side. The sand beach on the spit's other side can be a good place to see shore birds, and to swim, too. By the gravel parking area is a launch spot for canoes, duck boats, and such, provided the water level is high enough. For more details and beautiful photos, visit http://mi.gov.dnr, see Wildlife & Habitat/watchable wildlife.

Here's a great place to spot all kinds of birds at the mouth of Portage Creek, where a 2-mile spit creates a protected bay and coastal wetland

From M-35 four miles south of U.S. 2/U.S. 41, Portage Point Rd. leads to the trailhead, parking area, and boat launch. Wheelchair access: path is too sandy, wasn't built for foot traffic. Parking area allows a marsh view.

Return to Escanaba

ESCANABA
POINTS OF INTEREST

Downtown Escanaba along Ludington Street. This 15-block main street sports a colorful sprinkling of neon signs, taverns, shops, ending in a delightful park and historic lighthouse ... more

Ludington Park. Five miles of pathways in this striking park on Lake Michigan's Little Bay de Noc connect natural areas, a marina, an island with 3,500-foot sandy beach ... more

Delta County Historical Museum. This four-room museum covers local maritime, timber, and railroad history, plus early life in Delta County. ... more

Portage Marsh Wildlife Area. Here's a great place to spot all kinds of birds at the mouth of Portage Creek, where a 2-mile spit creates a protected bay and coastal wetland ... more

Sand Point Lighthouse. Built in 1867, the lighthouse has been dramatically restored to its original appearance, with furnished keeper's quarters circa 1900. Climb the tower for a nifty view! ... more

First Avenue South's historic architecture & visual finds. The striking turn-of-the-century churches, public buildings, and homes evoke Escanaba's glory days ... more

Noc Bay Trading Company. Here's an unusual shop that sells the authentic regalia materials, from bone beads to feathers, used by participants in Native American powwows ... more

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