Photo: © Ray Rustem
36 Horseshoe Bay 
wildlife viewing
| directions and facility information
Horseshoe Bay is a
broad embayment of Lake Huron that lies
north of St. Ignace and the Straits of
Mackinac. The U.S. Forest Service administers much of the land along this
bay, and their Foley Creek Forest Campground is a scenic place to sample
the areas wildlife. The campground is nestled among large white pine
trees, providing an attractive appearance. A hiking trail on the site
connects the campground with a sandy beach on Lake
Huron. This campground is generally open from the end of May
through the beginning of September. Call ahead for details.
 Wildlife
Viewing
White-tailed deer have grown accustomed to
humans in the Horseshoe
Bay area, and
often provide excellent photo opportunities.
This scenic, wooded camping area is home to
white-tailed deer, raccoons, red squirrels, and many forest bird species.
Local residents commonly use the campground roads for walking and outdoor
exercising. Because of this regular "foot traffic," deer have
become accustomed to people and are often easy to observe up close.
Raccoons are common residents of many of Michigans natural areas. Though much
smaller in size, these clever campsite raiders are closely related to
bears.
The
one-mile hiking trail begins at the north end of the campground and winds
through a northern white cedar swamp on its way to a sandy beach on Lake Huron. This trail is wood-chipped and dry,
offering a unique opportunity to walk "in" a typical northern
white cedar swamp habitat, (normally full of deadfalls and thick
vegetation), and experience its moist and cool microclimate, and see and
hear the songbirds that live there. Bald eagles are sometimes seen
perching in the tall white pines that face the shore. Waterfowl and great
blue herons are common on Horseshoe
Bay and on the
small ponds adjacent to the hiking trail. The trail provides foot access
to the 3,787-acre Horseshoe Bay Wilderness.
Portions of this area are open to
public hunting. Contact the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources for affected seasons and locations.
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