After nearly 20 years of negotiations, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has purchased the 2,103 acre Storey Lake property from absentee owners in Switzerland.   According to the MDNR, the property is already open for non-motorized use and dispersed camping (following state land rules).

With the 8-acre Storey lake, a mile of Stewart Creek and existing rustic restrooms, the land has many desirable features for adventurers.   The property ranges into Otsego and Cheboygan counties.  It is sandwiched between two state forest properties – Pigeon River Country State Forest and state land managed by the Gaylord Forest Management Unit.

“There’s the potential for designating an elk viewing area on the Storey Lake property, This property also offers abundant opportunities to view other wildlife and birds.”, said Kerry Wieber, a forest land administrator for the DNR.

“This is going to offer the public many different recreational opportunities and is a valuable addition to the state forest system,” says Deb Begalle, chief of the department’s Forest Resources Division.

The land is open for all legal hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, berry picking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor activities. All non-motorized use is welcome. The DNR is limiting motorized use as this time and until it completes a road inventory and access plan.   The public will be invited to provide input to the access plan.

You can access the property from Fontinalis Road, Alexander Roads and the North Central State Trail which runs along the west-northwest boundary.  The DNR suggests parking at at an existing parking area located a mile north of the southeast corner.

Stay tuned for more information to be posted here after we perform some scouting.

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