The 80-acre Charles A. Ransom Nature Preserve, along with the manager’s residence, was donated to the Little Traverse Conservancy in 1976 by Woodbury and Christiana Ransom. The preserve commands one of the most spectacular views in northern Michigan. From its highest elevation of 320 feet above Lake Michigan, viewers can see most of western Charlevoix County and a broad expanse of Lake Michigan on the horizon.

The Ransom Nature Preserve is part of the northern hardwood forest, a deciduous forest community that covers about 4 billion acres of land in the United States. The northern hardwood forest supports a variety of wildlife. The most obvious life forms are the trees and plants that you see before you; but white tailed deer, porcupines, raccoons, chipmunks, turkeys and many birds thrive here as well. If you walk quietly and keep your eyes and ears open for signs of these animals, you may encounter one along the way.

Directions: From Petoskey take U.S. 31 south approximately 9 miles to Burgess Road and turn left. Go 3 1/2 miles to Quarterline Rd. and turn left. Then go 1 mile to Maple Grove Rd. and turn left. The parking lot is about 3/4 mile down Maple Grove Road.