Michigan Nature and Outdoor Resources

Related Links

For national nature/outdoor resources, go to National Resources Page.
For general Michigan tourist information, go to Tourist References.
For information on Michigan National Parks, State Parks and Huron-Clinton MetroParks, go to Michigan Parks.
For information on Michigan Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, nature centers and wilderness areas, go to Michigan Refuges.
For information on Illinois Nature Areas and outdoor photography opportunities, go to Illinois Outdoor and Nature Areas
For information on Indiana Nature Areas and outdoor photography opportunities, go to Indiana Outdoor and Nature Areas
For information on Ohio Nature Areas and outdoor photography opportunities, go to Ohio Outdoor and Nature Areas
For information on Ontario Nature Areas and outdoor photography opportunities, go to Ontario Outdoor and Nature Areas
For information on Wisconsin Nature Areas and outdoor photography opportunities, go to Wisconsin Outdoor and Nature Areas

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Natural Areas for Photography (Michigan): Books

Consult the following references for good places in the great outdoors to photograph nature. This includes parks, zoos, conservatories, wildlife refuges, nature centers, etc.
1.)Michigan Wildlife Viewing Guide, (1994) by Phil T. Seng, published by Michigan State University Press (Copyrighted by Michigan Department of Natural Resources). If you can only afford one book, this is the one to get. It covers 121 of Michigan's most spectacular and accessible wildlife viewing areas.
2.)The Smithsonian Guides to Natural America: The Great Lakes, © 1996 by Smithsonian Institution, published by Smithsonian Books, Washington D.C. & Random House, New York. This lavishly illustrated (yet pocket sized) volume covers natural areas in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio. Highly recommended.
3.)A guide to 199 Michigan Waterfalls, © 1988 by Laurie Penrose and Bill Penrose, published by Friede Publications, 2339 Venezia Drive, Davison MI 48423. Michigan's waterfalls (all but one in the Upper Peninsula) are one of the state's most beautiful water resources. The book gives detailed locations, photographs and viewing advice.
4.)Michigan State and National Parks: A Complete Guide, © 1989 by Tom Powers, published by Friede Publications, 2339 Venezia Drive, Davison MI 48423. Other than Detroit Area Metroparks, Michigan's state parks are the most obvious and accessible areas for nature observation and photography. This book covers all the bases.
5.)Natural Michigan, © 1987 by Tom Powers, published by Friede Publications, 2339 Venezia Drive, Davison MI 48423. A classic. 165 of Michigan's most splendid natural attractions.
6.)More Natural Michigan, © 1992 by Tom Powers and Barb Powers, published by Friede Publications, 2339 Venezia Drive, Davison MI 48423. A classic. 141 more outstanding natural attractions.
7.)Fifty Hikes in Lower Michigan, © 1991 by James F. DuFresne, published by Backcountry Publications, P.O. Box 175, Woodstock VT 05091. A definitive reference for the best trails in lower Michigan, from one of Michigan's leading outdoor writers.
8.)Hiking Michigan, © 1997 by Roger E. Storm and Susan M Wedzel. ISBN: 0-88011-583-1. A fantastic collection of 103 day hikes in both peninsulas, including trail maps, contact information and nearby points of interest.
9.)Natural Wonders of Michigan, A Guide to Parks, Preserves & Wild Places, © 1995 by Tom Carney, published by Country Crossroads Press, P.O. Box 286, Lower Main Street, Castine Maine 04421. This includes the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Sleeping Bear Dunes and Isle Royale National Parks, among other things.
10.)Guide to the National Wildlife Refuges, © 1992 by Laura Riley and William Riley, published by Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Company, 866 Third Ave., New York NY 10022. The definitive reference to America's wildlife refuges. Helpful for refuges not just in Michigan, but throughout the midwest, many of which are within a day's drive from southeast Michigan.

Natural Areas for Photography (Michigan): Web sites

Michigan DNR (Division of Natural Resources)
National Park Service. The National Park Service administers Michigan's National Forests, Isle Royale National Park,the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Go to their main page, or directly to:
Isle Royale National Park
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Great Outdoor Recreation Pages. This site has links such as the following:
Grand Island National Recreation Area
Hiawatha National Forest
Alger Underwater Preserve

Natural Areas for Photography (Michigan): Organizations

Michigan DNR (Division of Natural Resources), Parks & Recreation Division. Address: P.O. Box 30257, Lansing MI 48909. Phone: (517) 373-9900.
Michigan Underwater Preserves Council. Address: 11 S. State St., St. Ignace, MI 49781. Phone:(906) 643-8717.
2.)The Nature Conservancy, a driving force for the preservation of pristine areas all over the state. National Address: 1815 North Lynn Street, Arlington VA 22209. Phone: (703) 841-5300. Visit their Web page. Michigan Address: The Nature Conservancy of Michigan, 2840 East Grand River Ave. #5, East Lansing MI 48823. Email: tncmifo@tnc.org. Phone: (517) 332-1741. Also, in conjunction with a private company, Great Northern Adventures, the Conservancy offers members special tours throughout the year. For info, follow this link: Great Northern Adventures.

Natural Areas for Photography (United States): Books

1.)Best Places to Photograph North American Wildlife, © 1993 by Mark Warner, published by AMPHOTO, an imprint of Watson-Guptill Publications, 1515 Broadway, New York NY 10036. Covers nine of the continent's most pristine nature spots. Unfortunately, none of these are in Michigan. However, if you ever have a chance to get on a plane and spend a week photographing in the wild, this is the book for you.