Michigan Trail Tuesday: Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, Humbug Marsh Unit
Michigan Trail Tuesday is our attempt to showcase a different trail or trail segment each week. The Mitten State is home to thousands of miles of trails, including the new Iron Belle Trail that runs from Detroit in the southeast to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula and more miles of the North Country Trail than any other state.
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge covers islands, marshes, wetlands, and shoreline over a stretch of 48 miles, with the most visitor-friendly section located in Trenton. Here you will find the John D. Dingell Visitor Center, picnic areas, a playground, a fishing pier, kayak launches, and several miles of trails. The Humbug Marsh Trail is a favorite here, and we had the chance to check it out last fall.
The Humbug Marsh Unit offers up two trail loops: the Orange Trail (1/2 mile) and the Green Trail (1.25 miles) as well as a boardwalk through the Monguagon Wetland. We started our hike her by heading south from the parking area and checking out the Orange Trail. This trail follows along the marsh, and offered some great fall color views of Humbug Island. Birds were plentiful, with egrets, ducks, killdeer, a bald eagle, and more spotted.
After passing an observation deck and then the Education Shelter we reached Eagle Point and its unique viewing area. The observation deck here is built into a replica eagle nest and offers some great views of the water.
We finished looping the Orange Trail and then decided to check out part of the Green Trail. This trail covers more wooded terrain and follows the shoreline before looping back inland. We stopped briefly to check out an abandoned boat offshore, then continued to listen for the birds (like the yellow-rumped warbler shown above) as we made our way back towards the parking lot.
Outside of birds, we also saw many squirrels and chipmunks and even had a brown snake cross the path in front of us.
The Monguagon Wetland boardwalk offers some great opportunities for waterfowl viewing. We watched a few geese and even got to follow an egret as it stalked some prey in the shallow water.
The John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center was not open during our visit, but it is home to all the information you need for your visit. Learn more about how this area was transformed from industrial to protected land and how ongoing efforts make this a top destination for fishing, birdwatching, and quiet recreation.
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is located at 5437 W. Jefferson Ave. in Trenton. From M-85 head east on Vreeland Rd. then turn left onto Jefferson and follow it to the sign shown above. From I-75 take the exit for West Rd. and head east to Allen Rd. Take Allen Rd. south to Van Horn Rd., then follow Van Horn east to Jefferson and turn right to head to the refuge.