Hiking past the hardwood stand along the well-maintained wetland trail, you may catch sight of a bald eagle soaring, a great blue heron wading on the wetland's edge or a curious masked raccoon seeking lunch. Evening nightshade, roses, spirea and button bush splash color on the landscape, while the willow and yellow birch surrounding the marsh serve as feeding grounds for muskrat and beaver. One of the state's prime sites for conservation education programs, the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac, presents outdoor workshops and events throughout the year. The center offers guided day- and nighttime hikes through the marsh. You can also venture out into the wetlands on your own.
Maps are available for self-guided tours along a marked trail.
Easily followed, the trail features wide walking bridges and an observation platform. In the winter, the 2.5 mile trail is available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Opened to the public in May 1992, the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. The center's namesake is Northwest Michigan resident Carl T. Johnson, who served on the Michigan Natural Resource Commission for 18 years and distinguished himself as a leader in the state's conservation movement. A stop at the Carl T. Johnson Center is worthwhile if for no other reason than to see the building itself.