 Take a Walk
 Three miles of boardwalks and wood-chipped trails wind through the natural area, including a Perception Pathway for the visually-impaired that is also wheelchair and stroller accessible. Grass River staff naturalists give guided walks and talks and mark the trail's flora and fauna highlights for self-guided tours. Visitors to the area will cross sparkling streams and creeks, view exhibits in the  Interpretive Cabin and climb observation platforms for sweeping views of nature, as GRNA's panorama changes with the seasons. Come experience the beauty – by boat, on skis or on foot.
Sundays, April 20 - August 10, at 11:00 a.m.
Take a free nature hike with a naturalist. Our destination is the open field on the Glacial Plain trail where we'll check out the bluebird houses that are part of a national monitoring project. On the way we'll look at the flora and fauna along these less traveled trails. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Saturdays in May, 8:00 a.m.
Join a naturalist and other birders as we look and listen for Grass River's smallest bird with the biggest song. By listening to songs, we'll find the winter wren and resident warblers. We will learn four new calls each week to add to your listening repertoire. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Tuesdays, May 6 - August 26, 10:00 a.m.
Love wildflowers and plants? Want to know more about them? Join us as we stroll the trails to learn about and label the exquisite flora at Grass River. No experience necessary, just bring your love of nature. Master Gardener points can be earned. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Sunday, May 11, 2:00 p.m.
Give mom some love! After a delicious Sunday Brunch, bring her out to Grass River to celebrate Mother's Day. We'll treat her to a delightful guided walk. She'll love exploring the trails for wildflowers and listening to the songs of migratory birds and you'll get lots of points for bringing her. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Fridays, June 20, July 18, August 29 10:00 a.m. (parent and child under 3 years)
Parents, bring your tot out to Grass River for an experience designed with the toddler in mind. Parent and child will wander down the trail with naturalist Anne Drake and participate in an interactive nature story time. Class will last approximately one hour. (No older siblings please.) Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Saturday, April 12, 10:00 a.m.
The first signs of spring in the wetlands, new growth of carnivorous plants, and delicate flowers growing in the sphagnum moss are what we will be exploring at Grass River Natural Area. Meet at the interpretive cabin. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m.
Join naturalist Franny Bluhm at Pinney Bridge parking are in the Jordan River Valley for a review of morel mushroom habitats, as well as other mushroom finds in spring. We'll have a hunt in the area, and cook up some of our booty if found. Pinney Bridge is on Pinney Bridge Rd. about 1/4 mi. east of M-66 (about 2 miles north of Eddy School Rd.) Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Saturday, June 14, 10:00 a.m.
We'll search for the twin flower and star flower. We may see the red and fuchsia of gay wings, cranberries and wintergreen in bloom, as well as many others. Join a naturalist as we hunt for these delicate wetland beauties. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Thursday, June 26
Take a two mile hike along an old railroad grade to a large bluebird nesting site. Along the way see plants and the evidence of animals not found elsewhere at Grass River. We will begin the hike at the railroad grade parking area. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Thursday, July 3
Fern Trail most captures the essence of wetland habitat with thick mats of sphagnum moss 10 inches deep and a variety of delicate flowers. True to its name we'll identify several varieties of ferns as well. Meet at the sign for Fern Trail by the parking lot drive. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Thursday, July 10
This is one of the longest and most interesting nature loops at Grass River. Starting and ending at the visitor parking lot you will cross bridges, trek through wetland, upland forests and an old railroad grade. We'll check out the flora and fauna along the way. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Thursday, July 17
Take a walk back 9,500 years ago when, in geological history, this trail would have been newly exposed land above Lake Chippewa, a low water level phase of the developing Great Lakes. This trail begins in an upland forest and passes through a wildlife clearing wher 50-year-old Aspen trees were cut to create diversity of habitat. Meet at the main parking lot for a hike that will last approximately one hour. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Thursday, July 24
Find out how and why Great Lakes water levels rose to form Lake Nippising as we walk the path that follows this ancient shore line. We will begin the trail at the railroad grade parking area and walk through areas forested with Balsam Fir, Aspen, Hemlock and Maple. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
Thursday, July 31
Algonquin Trail is our southern-most trail. We'll meet at the barn by Alden Highway and pass through a variety of habitats including small vernal ponds, Red Pine plantations, and hardwood forests. We'll see signs of pileated woodpeckers, and pass through a meadow of St. Johnswort, which we will pick and put into a tincture of vinegar. Please call the Grass River Natural Area office at 231-533-8314 with any questions. |
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