Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge
This 695-acre island became part of the National Wildlife Refuge system in 1983 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased it from The Nature Conservancy. Harbor Island is overseen by the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Seney, Michigan.
Harbor Island is today as it was when it was formed, so many millions of years ago. It is a pristine virgin wilderness. It has never been timbered or dredged. Harbor Island is shaped like a giant horseshoe lying on top of another, to form two distinct spaces. False harbor, the one to the west as you approach the main harbor, is popular with sailboats for overnight moorings and with fishermen for pike, smallmouth bass, and perch. The main harbor, a large shallow inner harbor, is over ½ mile wide. Harbor Island is zoologically and botanically rich.
Harbor Island is part of the North Huron Birding Trail. Cooper hawks, osprey, northern harriers, common loon, and bald eagles are all on the state’s species of concern list and can be observed here. Of special interest to the botanist are orchids, gentians, and lobelias. Walking the steep green forested hills is like walking the halls of a great natural cathedral.
Harbor Island hosts a variety of habitats, including a marsh that runs almost fully around the main harbor. On the north side, there are sand beaches; on the east side, across from Bald Island, is a mature stand of white pine, and if you head north from there, you will come to what the locals call the narrows. In this area, you will find an old-growth forest of oak. There are at least thirty-one types of trees and shrubs on Harbor Island.
The Island is open to the public during daylight hours only and is available for hiking and swimming. No fires, camping, or motorized vehicles are allowed. It’s a “boots only” refuge.
