Experience the Changing of the Seasons on Beaver Island - Pure Michigan's Emerald Isle

When it comes to natural offerings, from woods and water to flora and fauna, no place delivers the wealth of ecological resources like Beaver Island—the most remote, inhabited island in the continental United States.

Approximately 35% of the island, located about 30 miles northwest of Charlevoix in Lake Michigan, is state forest land. With over 100 miles of scenic roads, old two-track trails and beaches, it is ideal for all kinds of nature-based eco-tourism activities.

For those wishing to bring their own bikes, kayaks and other outdoor gear, the Beaver Island Boat Company offers an easy and affordable way to transport such things to the island for day trips, weekend get-aways and extended seasonal stays.

BIRD & WILDLIFE VIEWING: The newly developed Beaver Island Birding Trail (BIBT) encompasses more than 12,000 acres of state and township lands, as well as four Little Traverse Conservancy preserves (including the 28-acre Little Sandy Bay, 230-acre Miller’s Marsh, 28-acre George & Althea Petritz Preserve and the 112-acre Barney’s Lake). A vast diversity of habitats can be found around the island, and in all nearly three dozen birding sites have been identified to provide ideal viewing conditions.

Coming up September 26-27, the Beaver Island Pelagic Birding Tour with Brian Allen and Darrel Lawson provides a great potential for viewing fall migrants and perhaps even a western rarity or two. September is also an excellent time for pelagic birds (gulls, cormorants and other waterfowl) on the Great Lakes. This tour provides ample opportunities to view pelagic birds on Lake Michigan and fall migrants on the island. Participation in the tour is limited to 30 people, and reservations are required by Sept. 12 by contacting the BIBT directly at the website above.

While on the island, be on the lookout for countless butterflies, as well as reptiles and amphibians. During the fall, autumn-colored Monarch Butterflies begin their fall migration south from Canada and the Upper Peninsula, with sightings common in the early part of the season. For details on these, and other species found around the island, click here.

Beaver Island’s 56-square-miles encompass almost every type of habitat found on the mainland – forests, bogs, marshes and beaches. A federally-endangered species with a limited distribution on Beaver Island is the Michigan monkey-flower. This plant grows only on the wet banks and in the water of muddy or sandy free-flowing streams. For more on the island’s unique botany from biology professors Dr. Edward Leuck and Dr. Beth Leuck, click here.

Beaver Island is also home to the Central Michigan University Biological Field Station, offering academic classes in biology and other sciences. Faculty and students utilize the woods and waters surround the Beaver Island archipelago as their outdoor classroom for field trips, research and lectures.

BIKING: The island has several miles of paved roads and a one-mile paved non-motorized path. There are many miles of “logging” forest clay and gravel roads that are ideal for enjoying nature on an off-road type bike. The Happy Paddle offers bike rentals for those who wish to explore the nearly 20 trails that wind and crisscross around the island.

PADDLING: Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are increasingly popular activities in Paradise Bay, or along the shoreline and coves of Beaver Island. Happy Paddle offers rentals and tours for those looking to get out ON the water.

FISHING: Beaver Island’s four inland lakes provide options to catch pan fish, perch, pike and largemouth bass. The Beaver Island Wildlife Club has been working for several years to develop Lake Geneserath as a walleye fishery. Salmon fishing varies from year to year. Fishing for the long-lived slow-growing lake trout continues to improve. The area west and south of Beaver Island is a lake trout sanctuary. Smallmouth bass fishing around Garden and Hog Islands has improved in recent years, but in order to continue the positive trend, anglers are asked to practice artificial-bait catch-and-release only when fishing for smallmouth bass in the archipelago. Resident and non-resident fishing licenses can be purchased on the island, at McDonough’s Market.

HUNTING: Beaver Island is an ideal locale for hunting, specifically whitetail deer and wild turkey. Small game populations vary from year to year, but grouse and rabbit hunting are active on the island.

In 1992, now-retired DNR wildlife biologist Doug Whitcomb, with the cooperation of the Beaver Island Wildlife Club, introduced two small groups of Eastern wild turkeys to the island. Today, the burgeoning flock now consists of nearly 600 very healthy birds that reside in the island’s hardwoods and open fields. Michigan hosts two turkey hunting seasons, one in the spring (mid-April through the end of May) and one in the fall (mid-September through mid-November).

Thanks to a successful Quality Deer Management (QDM) program on Beaver Island, the population of whitetail deer continues to increase. In 2011, “three legal points on one side” antler restrictions became the law. QDM principals have created a more balanced herd, with a much improved opportunity to harvest a mature buck. The number of “doe tags” varies each year, but there are usually plenty to satisfy demand. Many land owners have also been planting food plots for years and the island offers lots of state land that is open to hunting.

Hunting licenses can be purchased on the island, at McDonough’s Market.

CAMPING: Visitors will find two established campgrounds on Beaver Island, both owned and operated by the Island Townships and open until the end of November. There are no reservations at either campground, with the primitive sites are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Both campgrounds provide pit toilets and hand pumps; there are no showers at either facility.

Saint James Township Campground is located on the north end of the Island, off Donegal Bay Road one mile outside the St. James Harbor. The campground and its 12 sites overlook Lake Michigan and Garden Island, with views of Squaw and Whiskey Islands. ($5 per night, per campsite).

Bill Wagner Peaine Township Campground is located on the east side of the Island, seven miles south of the harbor and accessible via the East Side Road. This 22-site campground is on the shore of Lake Michigan with a view of the west coast of mainland Michigan. ($10 per night, per campsite).

STAR GAZING: Given its remote locale and limited light pollution, Beaver Island offers countless spots for viewing the constellations, Northern Lights, meteor showers and other astronomical wonders. Make your way to sites in the center of the island for the best viewing. Plan around the September 28 Full Moon (with its Lunar Eclipse) or the October 27 Full Moon.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Of course, no matter the outdoor activity you take part in, there is an opportunity for capturing the experience in pictures. From sunrises and sunsets, plants, wildlife, beaches, lighthouses, historic sites, scenic trails and even the night skies, the subject matter for images are available 24/7/365.

For a complete ferry schedule and rates, call 888-446-4095, or log onto www.BIBCO.com.

For information on Beaver Island, including lodging properties, visit www.BeaverIsland.org.

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Uncover Natural Wonders & Historic Treasures during a Guided Tour of America’s Emerald Isle

Discover the beauty and rich history of Beaver Island, America's Emerald Isle by taking one of two guided vehicle tours around the island. The knowledgeable and well-seasoned tour drivers will guide you through Beaver Island's beautiful scenery and intriguing history, while giving you an idea of why island life is so unique. For those not aware, Beaver Island is the most remote, inhabited island in the Great Lakes!

Tours are available Memorial Day through the Labor Day holiday, with some dates requiring an overnight stay. If taking only a day trip, you must take the first Ferry at 8:30 am in order to arrive to the Island in time to take the tour. Please refer to the ferry schedule for specific dates.

“They offer two tours of the island, by A/C bus,” says Sue from Bay City. "We took the 3-hour tour. They point out all the historical and ecological areas of the island, and tell some humorous and true (and maybe not so true…) stories of island life. You get two stops on this tour. One is at Iron Ore Bay and it is a beautiful beach. Next, right up the road, is the Beaver Island Lighthouse, which you can tour and climb to the top (50 steps or so). A good idea is to take this tour, and then either drive your own car or rent one on the island and go back to some of the points that interest you, so you can spend more time there, if desired. This is what we did.”

The 1.5 hour Standard Tour is offered most days starting at 11am and focuses on the northern end of the island and the harbor area. Tour charming St. James village including its lighthouse on Whiskey Point, shops, museums and churches. The tour then proceeds to the west side of the island to see spectacular Donegal Bay with views of High, Whiskey, Trout and Garden Islands. Finally you will pass Protar's home and tomb, learning the intriguing history of this fascinating man.

(Cost: $24 children ages 5-12; $32 for those 13 years of age and older. Tour packages, offering roundtrip passage and the tour, are $50 for children and $75 for those 13+).

The 3-hour Extended Tour begins at 1pm and includes everything encompassed by the 1 ½ tour and then continues around the entire island. Your journey to the southern tip of Beaver Island will take you through its beautiful dunes and forests and alongside several of the island's pristine inland lakes, bays and beaches. Ultimately, the tour will pause first at Iron Ore Bay for time to Beachcomb and finally visit and climb one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes—Beaver Head Lighthouse.

(Cost: $34 children ages 5-12; $42 for those 13 years of age and older. Tour packages, offering roundtrip passage and the tour, are $60 for children and $85 for those 13+).

Reservations for the tours are not necessary, but are requested as space is limited. However, sometimes there are opportunities to get on a tour the day you arrive, so be sure to ask one of the crew or stop in the ferry office to inquire about availability. To guarantee your space, please call with your preferred date and the number of passengers, or you can reserve a space on line. No deposit is required. Group tours can also be arranged, with advanced notice.

Beaver Island Boat Company has been providing the most relaxing, affordable transportation for people, pets, vehicles and freight to Beaver Island since 1984.The distance from Charlevoix to historic Beaver Island is 32 miles across Lake Michigan and takes approximately two hours. Each year the company’s two vessels, The Emerald Isle and The Beaver Islander, collectively make approximately 375 round trips to the island, travel more than 24,000 miles, transport more than 40,000 passengers, carry around 6,500 vehicles and haul approximately 10,000 tons of freight.

The Emerald Isle was designed by Timothy Graul Marine Design in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and was built in 1997 by Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. in East Boothbay, Maine. She is 130 feet in length, 39 feet wide, and draws 8.5 feet with a top speed of 14.5 knots and maximum capacity of 293 passengers, 14 -18 vehicles depending on the size of the vehicles and this can also include a large semi-truck and up to 95 tons of freight. She is equipped with a wheel chair lift, has in excess of 150 indoor/covered seats, five unisex restrooms, one handicap accessible restroom with a baby changing table, fixed stabilizers, power outlets, wifi and food/refreshment vending machines.

The Beaver Islander was built in 1962 by Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and was purchased new by the Beaver Island Boat Co. She is 95 feet in length, 27 feet wide and draws 8 feet with a top speed of 13.5 knots and maximum capacity of 172 passengers, 10 vehicles and 40 tons of freight. You can still ride the historic Beaver Islander on most weekends in the summer.

For a complete ferry schedule, rates and package tour details, call 888-446-4095 or log onto www.BIBCO.com.

For information on Beaver Island: www.BeaverIsland.org