Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary
Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary
Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary
4.5
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A 508-acre sanctuary of rare old-growth white pines. 2.5 miles of hiking trails (no wheeled vehicles). A moderate hike; accessible for families and couples. Steep hills, whisper quiet, and beautiful..
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4.5
148 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
33
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18
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1
akate22
Minneapolis, MN35 contributions
Aug 2020
Even thought I really appreciated the tall old growth pines I felt underwhelmed here after a week of hiking in the upper peninsula and maybe also since I've seen the redwoods. The trail was in decent shape. I'd say stop in if you're wanting to stretch your legs and in the area or if you have not seen large trees before.
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian C
Saint Johns, MI54 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
It’s off the beaten trail and make sure you have directions. The trees being 300-500 years old are awesome pillars standing in the forest. It’s a 1.2 mile walk to make the entire loop. If you like it’s not necessary to make the entire loop to see the trees.
Written July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad W
Ann Arbor, MI1,092 contributions
Jul 2022
I loved visiting one of the few last groves of virgin native White Pines in Michigan. The trails are short with two loops. One of the loops (Memorial Grove) involved crossing a deep stream, so I skipped that one. The trees are impressive. The trail is well marked and quite busy the day that I visited. There is no fee.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ImmerWandern
Palos Park, IL11,893 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This small nature preserve was established in 1973 as a 200 acre purchase from a mining company by the Michigan Nature Association. Two additional land purchases have brought to its current 508 acres. The name is a nod to Edouard Estivant, a Parisian who was the original landowner.
The preserve contains one of the last old-growth white pine stands in Michigan. The preserve is out of the way, access being via Burma Road, off to the right from US-41 when heading north to Copper Harbor, just south of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. We overshot the exit on our first attempt to make it to Estivant. Burma road is unpaved, rutted and was muddy on our drive thanks to heavy rainfall the night before. An SUV would be ideal, but a sedan can make it through if driven carefully.
Michigan’s forest were almost completely clear-cut in the 19th Century and early 20th Century. The few stands of old-growth Eastern White Pine were those missed by the lumberjacks and are 300+ years old. As mentioned by reviewers Akate22 and Andrea1018, potential visitors need to temper their expectations as to what to find when it came to the trees. This is certainly not something akin to the redwood groves in California and the Pacific Northwest. The harsh climate and thin rock soil of the Upper Peninsula are not conducive to rapid growth. The old growth white pines of the UP are cited as being a tall as 100 feet (versus 300 feet for a coastal redwood) with a trunk diameter up to 5 feet (versus 30 feet). We found several of these white pines and while we could not confirm their height they seem tall enough. The trunks did not seem to be quite 5 feet in diameter. Relative to the other trees, maples and birch, the pine certainly stood out.
There is no cellphone signal in this part of the UP and Keweenaw Peninsula but the trails were straightforward and fairly well-marked. There were very few other hikers out with us and the calm and relative quiet (quite a few bird calls) was therapeutic. The trails themselves had the potential to be treacherous especially after the recent rain had made rocks and exposed roots slippery. I would recommend sturdy shoes with grippy soles and to also consider using hiking poles. The slope and vertical change are gentle but the trail underfoot requires care.
While we heard lots of bird call we did not spot any wildlife. There were a lot of mushrooms in the undergrowth.
We visited in late September, luckily with fall foliage near-peak. I would definitely suggest visiting during the fall.
The preserve contains one of the last old-growth white pine stands in Michigan. The preserve is out of the way, access being via Burma Road, off to the right from US-41 when heading north to Copper Harbor, just south of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. We overshot the exit on our first attempt to make it to Estivant. Burma road is unpaved, rutted and was muddy on our drive thanks to heavy rainfall the night before. An SUV would be ideal, but a sedan can make it through if driven carefully.
Michigan’s forest were almost completely clear-cut in the 19th Century and early 20th Century. The few stands of old-growth Eastern White Pine were those missed by the lumberjacks and are 300+ years old. As mentioned by reviewers Akate22 and Andrea1018, potential visitors need to temper their expectations as to what to find when it came to the trees. This is certainly not something akin to the redwood groves in California and the Pacific Northwest. The harsh climate and thin rock soil of the Upper Peninsula are not conducive to rapid growth. The old growth white pines of the UP are cited as being a tall as 100 feet (versus 300 feet for a coastal redwood) with a trunk diameter up to 5 feet (versus 30 feet). We found several of these white pines and while we could not confirm their height they seem tall enough. The trunks did not seem to be quite 5 feet in diameter. Relative to the other trees, maples and birch, the pine certainly stood out.
There is no cellphone signal in this part of the UP and Keweenaw Peninsula but the trails were straightforward and fairly well-marked. There were very few other hikers out with us and the calm and relative quiet (quite a few bird calls) was therapeutic. The trails themselves had the potential to be treacherous especially after the recent rain had made rocks and exposed roots slippery. I would recommend sturdy shoes with grippy soles and to also consider using hiking poles. The slope and vertical change are gentle but the trail underfoot requires care.
While we heard lots of bird call we did not spot any wildlife. There were a lot of mushrooms in the undergrowth.
We visited in late September, luckily with fall foliage near-peak. I would definitely suggest visiting during the fall.
Written January 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth M
Oakland Township, MI305 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We tried to visit Estivant Pines in late April/early May but the roads were impassable...so NOTE, seasonal road, and pretty harrowing if it's just rained in early spring. On a beautiful, June day, however, practically perfect! There's a trail in, then you reach a sign with a figure 8 lying on it's side to choose which path to hike. We hiked both the left and right trails eventually, but NOTE, if you take the trail on the LEFT, it's pretty steep climbing through roots and rocks. There is also an unmaintained trail which branches off the right trail, and we'll tackle that next trip - you need to have waders/good boots/water gear, etc. and a good hiking stick. It's a really breath-taking place - beautiful, peaceful, quiet, and really unique. We'll go again soon. The best way to find out how the road up to the sanctuary is, just call the Keweenaw County Road Commission at 906.337.1610
Written June 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer s
Calumet, MI33 contributions
Jul 2014
Much of the Northern Great Lakes region used to be pine forest, but there isn't much old growth pine left. Most of the old growth Eastern White pines were cut in the early 1900s, and they don't just grow back all that easily. If you want to see what the mature Northern Hardwood Forest looked like, with Eastern White Pines within it, a walk through the Estivant Pines offers that experience. We visit the trees every once in a while: Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Northern White Cedar, Yellow Birch, White Birch, White Spruce, Balsam Fir, Red Oak, Black Spruce, and some stunning Eastern White Pines. The trails are beautiful, but good hiking shoes help. The old wooden map is not drawn to scale, which can create some confusion. If it is wet, some of the trails can be slick and a bit dangerous. But mostly it is a pleasant walk - ups, downs, magnificent trees, rocks, and the sound of wind through needles and leaves along with birdsong. This is a rejuvenating place. Please don't expect a pure Pinery or compare with California redwoods. This is Northern Hardwood Forest, beautiful and regal in its own right. Appreciate that before irresponsible logging (that still goes on) this was what much of the Northern Great Lakes region looked and felt like.
Written August 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill P
Wauconda, IL8 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
The beautiful Virgin White Pine Forest that was saved from loggers by the Michigan Nature Association. Words nor images can capture its beauty and magnitude. The Leaning Giant fell in a gail storm early October of 1989 if my memory serves me right. The Fallen Giant lays alone on the forest floor with about a 10 foot diameter trunk.
Written December 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanne W
Midland, MI89 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
I can't even begin to imagine what it takes to build a trail like this and then keep it up. Boardwalks, signage are all in place and really add to the experience. It's a special "gotta see" place and well worth the drive from Copper Harbor.
Written September 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
01s
San Juan, Puerto Rico95 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
A hike through Estivant Pines gives you a unique cathedral like experience while walking among these giant trees. They are amazing and I am so grateful to the family and locals that fought to see this stand remains with us for all to experience.
The trails are in pretty good shape for everyone to enjoy and offer some wooden walking paths taking you over mushy, swamp like spots. Only a few areas are a touch difficult to navigate. I would say nearly everyone can make the short 1.2 mile hike, just go slow through the 2 or 3 tricky spots and you'll be fine.
In yoga we focus on breathing a lot. Walking through the pines you can feel how your breath is providing the extra oxygen to your body and it is very invigorating. Worth the experience for sure!
Wear decent shoes or hiking boots and dress for the weather. During the summer months I'd recommend deet, fall there are a lot less bugs! If you bring drinks or snacks, be sure you take out what you bring in and be a girl scout -- take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints! ENJOY!
The trails are in pretty good shape for everyone to enjoy and offer some wooden walking paths taking you over mushy, swamp like spots. Only a few areas are a touch difficult to navigate. I would say nearly everyone can make the short 1.2 mile hike, just go slow through the 2 or 3 tricky spots and you'll be fine.
In yoga we focus on breathing a lot. Walking through the pines you can feel how your breath is providing the extra oxygen to your body and it is very invigorating. Worth the experience for sure!
Wear decent shoes or hiking boots and dress for the weather. During the summer months I'd recommend deet, fall there are a lot less bugs! If you bring drinks or snacks, be sure you take out what you bring in and be a girl scout -- take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints! ENJOY!
Written October 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norma D
10 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
Getting there was bumpy and a true back woods drive experience. Pretty walk in the woods, watch out for tree roots and muddy spots and bouncy little wood plank walkways over wet areas. Better be steady on your feet. Had to really look to find the few big trees in the woods. Not like other old growth forests we've visited. But a pleasant walk and good exercise.
Written September 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I did not see any dogs when we were there
Written March 23, 2017
We'll be traveling the first of August to Copper Harbor. We are traveling in our motorhome with no tow vehicle. Is the road to the trails accessible by a motorhome?
Written July 22, 2015
I would say no problem as long as you get there early in the day so you can choose your spot to park. Depending on how large your motor home is.... you will need to be patient about getting back out as well.
Written July 24, 2015
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