Grass River Natural Area

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Grass River Natural Area 7 miles of trails open dawn to dusk in Bellaire, MI. Grass River Center open 10-4 7 days/wk May-Oct & Sat/Sun Nov-Apr

7 miles of trails & boardwalks, open year-round, 365 days, from dawn to dusk. The Grass River Center is open 10am to 4pm 7 days a week from May through October and 10am to 4pm Sat & Sun from November - April. Nestled in the hills of Antrim County in Michigan's northwest corner of the lower peninsula, the Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) encompasses lakes, a meandering river, rushing streams and crystal clear creeks — a haven for plant and animal life, including both rare and endangered species. This natural area project lies midway on the renowned Chain of Lakes waterway, a connector of Torch and Clam lakes, and Lake Bellaire. Grass River Natural Area is open seven days a week from dawn to dusk. Stop by to see what’s happening at the Natural Area, peruse the informative displays, and browse the bookstore. Educational classes for children, adults and school groups, emphasizing the environment and water and land protection are at the core of the popular outdoor curriculum. A network of trails with observation platforms and boardwalks traverse an educational area providing easy access to upland, wetland and aquatic habitats. A portion of this seven mile system is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Grass River Natural Area is publicly owned and managed by a local volunteer board of directors dedicated to water and land protection and environmental education. Visitors are welcome year-round from dawn 'til dusk. GRNA is free to visitors, who are encouraged in return to become volunteers and contributors.

10/14/2026

Here is it - your Midweek Moment of Zen. Presented to you by;

Grass River Natural Area - Yours to explore. Yours to protect.

10/13/2026

Have you walked our boardwalk or hiked our trails early in the morning? Looking for an absolutely gorgeous place to experience the amazing fall colors of NW Michigan? Just need to recharge out in nature? Come on by GRNA - we've got what you need!

Grass Rive Natural Area - Yours to explore. Yours to protect.

Fall fairy fun is here! And what fairy wouldn’t want to live inside a magical pumpkin palace that your imagination creat...
10/13/2026

Fall fairy fun is here! And what fairy wouldn’t want to live inside a magical pumpkin palace that your imagination creates. Turn a pretend pumpkin into a fabulous work of fairy house art. We provide all the supplies and you provide all of your whimsical ideas.
This class is for adults and kids old enough to use a hot glue gun. Or come as a family and work on a house together.

Join us for one of these great programs at GRNA! The trees are beautiful right now!
10/12/2026

Join us for one of these great programs at GRNA! The trees are beautiful right now!

It's Monday morning folks and you know what that means... Time for another exciting edition of; Where's Keeb?If you can ...
10/12/2026

It's Monday morning folks and you know what that means...

Time for another exciting edition of; Where's Keeb?

If you can correctly and specifically identify where this photo was taken, you will win 10% off ANY 1 item in our gift shop. we've got cool short and long sleeved GRNA T-shirt! We've got cool GRNA hats! We've got really cool and informative wildlife guides! We've got a whole gift shop full of aweome stuff!!

So... where's Keeb?

Check out this amazing photo, taken by a visitor back on the evening of August 13. It was taken during the annual Persei...
10/11/2026

Check out this amazing photo, taken by a visitor back on the evening of August 13. It was taken during the annual Perseids Meteor Shower.

Stellar!

Photo, courtesy of Squatch Life 45

Grass River Natural Area - Yours to explore. Yours to protect.

The Week-in-Review.Grass River Natural Area - Yours to explore. Yours to protect.
10/10/2026

The Week-in-Review.

Grass River Natural Area - Yours to explore. Yours to protect.

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day.

Did you know...

Spending time in nature improves mental health by lowering stress hormones, reducing negative thought loops, and boosting mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin.

How Nature Affects the Brain and Body
• Lowers stress: Just 10 to 20 minutes outdoors can lower your blood pressure, slow your heart rate, and reduce cortisol (the main stress hormone).

• Calms the mind: Natural environments engage your attention softly, giving your brain a break from the high-demand stimulation of screens and urban life.

• Eases negative thoughts: Walking outside helps quiet activity in parts of the brain tied to fear and repetitive negative thinking, or rumination.

• Boosts happiness: Natural sunlight and fresh air help your body produce serotonin and dopamine, which increase feelings of happiness and motivation.

Do yourself a favor and come on out to GRNA and take a walk. You'll feel better!!

Grass River Natural Area - Yours to explore. Yours to protect.

Thank you to Kalkaska Public Schools, Birch Street Upper Elementary for bringing your fourth graders out to GRNA yesterd...
10/09/2026

Thank you to Kalkaska Public Schools, Birch Street Upper Elementary for bringing your fourth graders out to GRNA yesterday and today!

We had a blast teaching the kids about the plants and animals in and around the Grass River Natural Area and the importance of this vital wetland. It's very exciting to see so many budding naturalists learning to appreciate the natural world around them, and their enthusiasm was contagious.

Thanks also to the teachers and parent chaperones who helped ensure everyone had a safe time exploring the area.

Grass River Natural Area - Yours to explore. Yours to protect.

Friday Fall Color Post.Honestly... is there anything better than October in Northwest Michigan? I think not... Grass Riv...
10/09/2026

Friday Fall Color Post.

Honestly... is there anything better than October in Northwest Michigan? I think not...

Grass River Natural Area - Yours to explore. Your to protect.

Address

6500 Alden Highway
Bellaire, MI
49615

Opening Hours

Monday 6:30am - 8:30pm
Tuesday 6:30am - 8:30pm
Wednesday 6:30am - 8:30pm
Thursday 6:30am - 8:30pm
Friday 6:30am - 8:30pm
Saturday 6:30am - 8:30pm
Sunday 6:30am - 8:30pm

Telephone

+12315338576

Website

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