Island Park & Wildlife Sanctuary
Island Park & Wildlife Sanctuary
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
81 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
14
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Adica
Grand Blanc, MI30 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
This is a great park! It has excellent trails that weren't too difficult for our 5 year old. There were beautiful views at every turn. The trails intersect in such a way that you can make your hike as long or as short as you like. There are a few fishing platforms as well. There is also the Alpena Pedal and Paddle post near the parking lot where you can rent canoes, kayaks, and bikes. Next time, we want to try kayaking in the calm waters along the island.
Written 2 September 2024
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.
pogoogop
Roscommon, MI73 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
Nice covered bridge. Nice 3/4 mile loop trail plus has a handicap accessible trail. We saw turtles , a comeran and fish. We noticed they rent kayaks in the summer.
Written 20 September 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.
Jody L
Fort Wayne4 contributions
Jun 2020
We are from Indiana and visit Northern Michigan every year. My husband and I actually were married at this Duck Park, and it is absolutely beautiful. The flowers are gorgeous and it is such a wonderful back drop from your wedding photos. Worth the stop!
Written 23 July 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.
Jessika
Canton, MI370 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Really a nice little place. My two year old handled the walk - some sandy and narrow spots by the water, but manageable for most. Nice view, and loved the bridge. Well maintained and quiet too.
Written 13 August 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.
MitchCousineau
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts2 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
Hidden gem of a park - many people probably just think it's a parking area -- but walk into the park and you will discover a large island park with highly varied geography and extensive trails which are a delight to walk -- not many people, back end of island borders floodlands/creeks, can see lots of cranes, geese, swans, etc... Very peaceful - highly recommend it...
Written 4 September 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.
suedo66
Pewaukee, WI438 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This turned out to be a very nice surprise---the wildlife sanctuary is part of Island Park---you start out walking thru a handmade covered bridge with a wooden water tower---both are beautiful--then a 45 minute walk around a island in the river--all very well marked with signs explaining trees that was done by a eagle scout and boy scouts and businesses--very well done
Written 12 July 2018
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.
Sylvie T D
33 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
My husband and I, enjoyed the beautiful scenery and a it's not too long of a walk, we got to see a few swans and different little birds.
Written 26 July 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.
vwp11
Milan, MI304 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Four of us went kayaking here on the July 4th weekend because it was too windy for Fletcher's Floodwater and too busy on the AuSable. We were impressed right from the start when we got to the Duck Park area kayak/canoe launch (at Chisholm and Long Rapids Rds) and found the sweetest launch ever. It's a system of side supports and rollers with handrails that allows you to get into you boat without tipping, then pull yourself down the ramp into the water with hardly any effort and no wet feet.
We didn't have a map so we just paddled all over, sometimes hitting a dead end, then finding a little channel to sneak through. It's a much larger paddling area than it appears to be. Although you will find some places that are very inhabited or built up, you can also easily find yourself in a spot where you can't tell you're in the city at all. You can't really get lost. Just remember that the main river channel appears to be on the south side of the park by M-32 and that if you pass under the US-23 bridge, you went too far downstream and missed the turn back to the launch. (And yes, it's just as easy to pull yourself back up out of the water on that marvelous launch as it was to enter the water. Again, no wet feet or ungraceful exits from the boat!)
You'll see lots of wildlife, too. Geese, swans, turtles, and fish... plus kingfishers, terns, herons, and egrets. We really enjoyed this paddle and you can make it as long or short as you like!
We didn't have a map so we just paddled all over, sometimes hitting a dead end, then finding a little channel to sneak through. It's a much larger paddling area than it appears to be. Although you will find some places that are very inhabited or built up, you can also easily find yourself in a spot where you can't tell you're in the city at all. You can't really get lost. Just remember that the main river channel appears to be on the south side of the park by M-32 and that if you pass under the US-23 bridge, you went too far downstream and missed the turn back to the launch. (And yes, it's just as easy to pull yourself back up out of the water on that marvelous launch as it was to enter the water. Again, no wet feet or ungraceful exits from the boat!)
You'll see lots of wildlife, too. Geese, swans, turtles, and fish... plus kingfishers, terns, herons, and egrets. We really enjoyed this paddle and you can make it as long or short as you like!
Written 6 July 2015
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.
Pam F
East Tawas, MI7 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
We love taking our dogs for a walk here. The trails are well marked and level so it is an easy hike. The view is beautiful along the Thunder Bay River and we are often treated to the sight of ducks, swans and geese. There is also a paved wheelchair accessible path that ends at a scenic overlook. All in all a great place for a walk, no matter what your physical abilities.
Written 11 September 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.
Judy H
Alpena, MI138 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
One of my favorite places in Alpena. It is located within the city limits but you would never know it as you hike around the island. I love to go with our daughter, a botany and nature study teacher - there is so much to see and learn about.
Written 7 September 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.
where is the covered bridge relative to the parking/trail entrance?
Written 23 May 2020
What kind of wildlife did you see while on the island Park & wildlife Sanctuary. Birds, Animals. All wildlife. Thanks.
Written 17 May 2020
Explore55138730306
Pinckney, Michigan
Can you get married under the covered bridge that enters the wildlife sanctuary?
Written 16 May 2019
Contact the city. Not sure if there is a charge.
Written 17 May 2019
I do not recall seeing any signs saying dogs are not allowed. What I do recall is that strollers are discouraged due to the sandy terrain and more importantly, steps that are part of the trail around the island.
Written 11 October 2017
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