Wildlife in Michigan | Michigan Nature

A deer, one of the types of wildlife found in Michigan. No matter where you look in Northern Michigan, there is endless natural beauty. From spending a day out on the water to hiking a trail through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, there are countless ways to explore the great outdoors. However, you won’t be exploring on your own. There is an abundance of wildlife in Michigan to discover around Traverse City, Leland, Glen Arbor, and beyond. To help you know what to look for, the local team at Visit Up North Vacation Rentals has put together this list of what our guests may see and where.

1. White-Tailed Deer

Deer are the most common large wildlife seen in the area. The best time to spot them is early morning or at dusk, at the edge of a forest or grazing in open fields. They can often be seen in Leelanau State Park, on the inland trails of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and on Old Mission Peninsula.

2. Bald Eagles

Bald eagles are often seen soaring high above Lake Michigan or perched in tall trees near the water. A great way to see them is on boat rides from Leland to the Manitou Islands. You can also see them along the Grand Traverse Bay shoreline, by Sleeping Bear’s lakeshore bluffs, and at the Arcadia Scenic Turnout.

3. River Otters

Otters are one of the most memorable and adorable sightings in the area. Look for them sliding along muddy edges of marshy shorelines, in the early morning along riverbanks, or swimming in calm sections of the Crystal or Platte rivers.

4. Piping Plovers

Piping plovers, which are tiny endangered shorebirds, nest directly on sandy beaches. In the spring and summer, protected nesting areas are often roped off in places like Sleeping Bear Dunes beaches and Platte River Point beaches south of Empire. This way, travelers can safely observe them from a distance. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/nature/pipingplover.htm.

5. Other Wildlife

The list of wildlife you can see in Northern Michigan is almost never-ending. Other common creatures you might come across include

Beavers and muskrats
Foxes and coyotes
Waterbirds and shorebirds like gulls, loons, and great blue herons
Salmon and trout
Butterflies

Escape to the Outdoors on a Northern Michigan Vacation

You don’t have to travel far to spot wildlife in Northern Michigan when you plan a vacation with Visit Up North. Because our inventory of Michigan vacation rentals includes cabins and homes found all over, you can reserve one that’s in your ideal setting. If you love being surrounded by green scenery, reserve one of our forest-view rentals. If you prefer being on or near the water, you’ll love our riverfront or waterfront rentals. No matter where you decide to stay, you’ll have a well-appointed place to call home. Learn more about our vacation rentals in Traverse City, along Lake Leelanau, and beyond by calling 231-922-8922.