Hike the Magical Narnia Trail in Cedarville, Michigan
Hike the Bush Bay Trail (aka The Narnia Trail)
Did you know there is a trail nicknamed, The Narnia Trail. Venture into a magical fairy tale hike that will remind you of the beloved story of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The Bush Bay Hiking Trail in Cedarville, Michigan, also known as the Narnia Trail, is only 30 minutes from St. Ignace and Mackinaw in the Upper Peninsula. It’s an ideal family-friendly adventure close to Mackinaw City.
This special trail, at the tip of Lake Huron, is filled with beautiful views of the Les Cheneaux Islands. Imaginations will be awaken as you discover moss covered rocks and mushrooms peaking out from under logs. Play among the unique boulders (about a mile in) and hike along the forest while you enjoy the lake views. You and your children will be delighted by this magical place.
Duration: 1-2 hours
I would allot an hour or two to enjoy the hike and explore, plus time to have a snack or picnic lunch while relaxing and enjoying the scenic views.
Distance: 2.1 miles
At a distance of 2.1 miles, this is a perfect hike for children and families. Bush Bay trail is rated as an easy to moderate hike with some exposed roots and wet rocks. Round trip it is about a 4 mile out and back hike. There are red arrow signs to help guide your way.
For additional miles, continue hiking at the John Arthur Woollam Preserve, which has two additional trails. The Woollam Preserve Loop (4.3 miles) and Sandy Cove Loop includes stunning scenery along the bay of Lake Huron.
Getting There/ Entrance to the Narnia Trail
The trail is located on the mainland, East of Cedarville. Take M-134 East about 7 miles to the Woolham Preserve right before Prentiss Bay. Then follow the trail till you get to the entrance or check out either the All Trail Map or Google Map Pin to assist your navigation.
Take M-134 East, turn right on S. Cedar Campus road and the entrance will be on the right. If using the Cedar Campus' trail system remember to go to the office and sign a liability release.
History of the Narnia Trail
Sign for Cedar Bay, located near entrance
It’s truly a hidden gem, for years it was difficult for the general public to access it due to the fact that much of the surrounding property was privately owned. Access could only be obtained by boat.
Although Cedar Campus, now Cedar Bay Camp and Retreat Center, has an entrance along their driveway so Cedar Campus students and campers have been hiking out to Narnia for decades. It gained its nickname, The Narnia Trail, from the students and campers of Cedar Campus.
Along the trail you will pass two old abandoned cabins, which were once used by an early settler named Dr. Hadley.
Eventually private ownership allowed public access with a conservation easement. Hikers were permitted to hike on the trail and lakeshore but no further into the woods. The private property owner sold the land to the conservancy and The John Arthur Woollam Preserve, dedicated in 2013, now has its own entrance.
Narnia Trail
Some features of the Southeastern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula include the Les Cheneaux Islands, which include 36 small islands located along a 12 mile stretch of Lake Huron. The name gets its origins from the French word for "the Channels", because the many islands create narrow bodies of water or channels. Some of the islands have people living on them today.
An interesting history fact is that during 1920 to 1933, the Prohibition era, Haven Island was once a hideout for bootleggers running whiskey by boat from Canada to Mackinac Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bikes or non motorized vehicles allowed? No bikes or vehicles allowed
Are Dogs Allowed on the Narnia Trail? Yes & No, dogs are not allowed on Nature Conservancy Trails in the preserve, however, technically Narnia, the lamp post and the Dolomite mountains are not located within the preserve. The Nature Conservancy trail connects Arthur Woolman Preserve to the Bush to Bay trail, so this stretch does not allow dogs. To avoid this, you can park at the trail head lot and hike in from the Bush Bay Trail side and back out, which would be dog friendly. Tons of people bring their dogs to this stretch of trail. (There is a little roadside lot located just past the quarry about a mile East of the John Arthur Woolman preserve to park)
Tips for Visiting the Narnia Trail
Plan to spend extra time to explore near the unique large moss covered boulders near the trails end, which you will discover when you walk West on the trail.
Follow the orange trail markings which will guide you to one of the highlights- the lamppost, which marks the endpoint, hence the nickname of this beautiful trail.
Bring along a picnic lunch or snacks because there are several coves ideal for a picnic and resting spot.
The trail is part of The Nature Conservancy Trail, so please stay on designated areas to protect many endangered ferns.
Wear appropriate footwear. Some parts of the trail have logs and planks placed in muddy low spots. During high waters some of parts of the trail can become impassable without getting quite wet.
Bring a camera for some beautiful scenic photos like this hauntingly rare ghost pipe we stumbled on during our hike. Aka corpse plant, this fascinating plant lives in the dense dark forest. Instead of producing chlorophyll, it feeds off tree roots in a parasitic relationship. Finding new and mysterious things is one of the main reasons I love hiking!
Nearby Activities, Hikes and Attractions
Nature’s Megaphone at the Agnes S. Andreae Preserve A scenic trail that follows along the river, crosses bridges, and provides scenic overlooks, with a unique stop at the nature’s megaphone.
Mackinac Island Visit this one-of-kind island without automobiles. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, bike around the island, hike to Arch Rock, visit Fort Mackinac and indulge on delicious fudge.
Ocqueoc Falls Visit the largest waterfall in the Lower Peninsula, where you can even swim in the falls.
Wilderness State Park Beautiful hiking trails and miles of shoreline to explore at this nearby Michigan State Park.
Don’t lose this magical hiking spot, save and pin for later and follow Discovering Anew for more unique hiking and camping spots. If you’re visiting the area and plan to camp, check out the reviews of the Best Places to Camp Near Mackinaw Island, including Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground, Straights State Park and Wilderness State Park.
