The Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is a 30-acre wildlife sanctuary situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, just three and a half miles outside Harbor Springs. The preserve is a great place to spend a sunny day and boasts a 300-foot sandy public beach along the lakeshore, hiking trails, and other recreational activities.

You can spend some time observing aquatic creatures from the pond-observation platform and admire the protected dunes from the dune-observation platform, which is also a wonderful place to watch the sunset. The Elizabeth Kennedy Nature Center offers hands-on nature programs for children and guided hikes in summer, or you can make your own way along the Beach Trail and Balsam Trail.

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