Grand Beach Marsh Preserve

This 11-acre preserve features a remarkable variety of habitats within a relatively small area, including coastal plain marsh, wet prairie, sand prairie, and oak forest. A half-mile hiking trail loops through the property, giving visitors an opportunity to experience its changing landscapes. The preserve’s wetland is closely tied to groundwater and seasonal precipitation, causing water levels to fluctuate dramatically from year to year and supporting plant communities adapted to both wet and dry conditions. An old Lake Michigan sand dune, now forested with red oak, red maple, and sassafras, adds another distinctive natural feature to this diverse preserve.