Two thousand protected acres outside Midland

Just southwest of Midland, Chippewa Nature Center protects woods, wetlands, fields, and more than a mile of Chippewa River frontage. Its 2024 annual report says a new 500-acre property brought the protected total to 2,000 acres. That does not mean all 2,000 acres are open for everyday wandering. CNC’s spring 2026 newsletter still described the newest property as off-limits to ordinary visitors except for a guided members-only outing.

For a normal visit, use the established public side of the center. CNC lists 19 miles of trails open year-round from dawn to dark. General admission is free, though some programs and festivals charge a fee. The Visitor Center has hands-on exhibits and live animals, and the grounds include river access and an 1870s Homestead Farm with a log cabin, barn, schoolhouse, and gardens. Pets are not allowed.

CNC began in 1966 and has grown far beyond its original footprint. The practical thing to remember is that protected acreage and open trail acreage are not the same number. Start at the Visitor Center, check the current map and hours, and stay on the public trail system unless CNC is leading a program elsewhere on the property.