Kesling Nature Preserve

Three Oaks Township   •   Berrien County   •   52 acres

With a deep ravine under a canopy of giant beeches and maples, Kesling Nature Preserve is lovely in any season!

Quick facts

Parking

•  Roadside pull-off, 2-car capacity (west loop)

•  Gravel lot (Three Oaks Township Conservation Area), 18-car capacity (east loop)

Trails

Length: 1.25 miles

Kesling’s shady trails begin along the banks of the Galien River then up a long, gradual rise. At the top, a forested loop takes hikers through beech-maple woods which overlooks a lovely wooded ravine. The trail can be muddy near the river, especially in spring or after heavy rain.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times. Dog waste must be packed out. Click to learn more.

Restrooms

None

Recreation

Fall color, fishing, hiking, paddling, scenic views, snowshoeing, spring wildflowers, and wildlife viewing.

Natural features

The preserve protects both sides of a quarter mile of the South Branch of the Galien River as it flows through the preserve. It contains a floodplain forest and a very scenic steep ravine along a tributary with rich mesic forest.

Forested areas contain a diversity of trees and spring wildflowers including State-listed prairie trillium, sessile trillium, and Jacob’s ladder.

It is one of the best bird-watching sites in the county during spring migration and is a nesting site for the State-listed yellow-throated warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, and cerulean warbler — and may also be a nesting site for State-Listed hooded warbler and red-shouldered hawk.

The South Branch of the Galien River is a popular fishing destination as trout and salmon make their runs from Lake Michigan. During the right time of the year, giant steelhead are a common site in the shallow waters of the river.

History

Kesling Nature Preserve was donated to Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy in 2004 by Dr. Peter Kesling and his family.

Three Oaks Conservation Area (owned by Three Oaks Township) is across the street from and adjacent to Kesling Nature Preserve. Together with Kesling Nature Preserve, these properties create 95 acres of protected wildlife habitat and natural areas for the community to enjoy.