Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve
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Preserve Activities
- Biking is not available
- Birding is available
- Fishing is not available
- Hiking is available
- Hunting is not available
- Kayaking is not available
- Sanctuary is not available
- Parking is available
- Skiing is not available
- Scenic is not available
- Running is not available
- Swimming is not available
- Volunteer is not available
Before You Head Out
Please review the preserve rules and the hunting rules, which very by preserve. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Support Our Work
To support this preserve, protected land or any other initiatives:
Walking the soft forest paths through this pristine landscape and unique habitat mosaic, visitors to Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve quickly understand this is a special place. Protected in 1992, Pyatt Lake represents not only an undisturbed landscape with unique habitat and geologic features, but also the Conservancy’s first land preservation effort. Many diverse groups, from local artists to school children, came together to shield this land from the threat of impending development. Prior to Pyatt’s protection the beauty and value of this property was recognized by both developers and conservationists. Luckily, the property had been identified as one of the most botanically diverse privately owned property in Grand Traverse County and was one of three remaining examples of “Wooded Dune and Swale Complex” habitat in Northern Michigan. As a result a compelling argument for Pyatt’s regional significance and preservation was successfully made. Over the years Pyatt Lake Preserve has been expanded eight times, bringing it to 159 acres.
Thousand of years ago, Pyatt Lake was actually an arm of Grand Traverse Bay. The hills criss-crossing the preserve are sand dunes formed when this area was part of the larger lake. This dune ridge – a regionally unique habitat – is known as wooded dune and swale. These glacial “tracks” make Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve a living laboratory for geology buffs!
The mosaic of habitat types at Pyatt Lake offers refuge to a wide variety of animal and plant species. More than 250 plant species have been identified on the property, and each spring orchids and trillium carpet the ground in a sea of color. Migrating waterfowl use the lake as a resting area, and warblers, winter wrens, woodpeckers, and owls all flourish in the maturing forest.
Pyatt Lake Nature Preserve is located just 20 minutes from Traverse City . Take Peninsula Dr. north approximately 10 miles. Just past Bowers Harbor Marina, turn left on Neahtawanta Rd. Follow Neahtawanta Rd. 1/2 mile to Pyatt Rd. Turn right on Pyatt Rd. The parking area is 1/4 mile down Pyatt Rd, and to help navigate the preserve please check out and download our preserve map.
Grand Traverse County. 159 acres.
