The Besser State Natural Area is a nice little piece of protected property that sits on the Lake Huron shore in extreme eastern Presque Isle County. Formerly home to the logging community of Bell the natural area features a nice empty stretch of Great Lakes shoreline, virgin forest, and a few scattered remnants of Bell itself. Quite a variety of things to look at for only a 1.5 mile hike!
Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 45.248123, -83.418866
Route Type: Loop Difficulty: EASY (MODERATE in conditions shown)
Hike Length: 1.5 miles Hike Duration: 1:15
Trailhead Temp: 29'F Trail Traffic: NONE!!
Min. Elevation: 575' Max. Elevation: 590'
Total Vertical Gain: 50' Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 33'
Trails Used (blaze color): Besser Natural Area Loop (blue)
Christine Peat
on August 17, 2017I am going there this weekend with my husband, to find the gravesites of my ancestors, John and Mary Charboneau, whose final resting place is in the Bell Cemetary..
Mosin Tom
on October 30, 2016I was a member of the 1975 YCC crew that restored the chimney at Bell. There were also the remains of some sort of structure in front of the chimney.
Mosin Tom
on September 26, 2016I have been to this area many times. There is also the remnants of an old cemetary nearby, recently and carefully cleaned up. Also, recent research indicates the community of Bell was more widespread than originally thought.