The beauty of Lakes Country abounds

Wing Haven, part of ACRES Land Trust, a nonprofit organization, is open to nature enthusiasts daily, with special events and an open house scheduled the first Sunday of every month.

Just one of five ACRES sites in Steuben County, Wing Haven is a gorgeous acquisition. Located off State Road 127 North on County Road 400 North, the acreage includes most of the Seven Sisters Lakes, scenic trails, slopes and valleys. The property includes a log home and outbuildings.

An art studio/visitor center is open to the public the first Sunday of the month from 1 to 5 p.m.
Wing Haven is ideal for hiking, nature study and photography, in addition to meetings for area historical and art societies, nature lovers and others.

The Woodland Bog is a 20-acre tract located near the intersection of County Road 100 North and directly east of County Road 200 East. Dense mats of ferns give the area a unique tropical appearance in summer. Red Osier Dogwood, quiet clear ponds, aspens and oaks mark the site. Access is achieved by parking on County Road 100 North and walking along the fence row back to the woods. Please respect private property.

Beechwood Nature Reserve is located near Little Otter Lake just off State Road 127 North, north of County Road 500 North near Angola. The tract offers a variety of habitats in a small area, including stately beeches and ancient maples, cattails and fern hummocks. Rolling meadows offer wide views in Steuben County’s lake country.

Ropchan Memorial Nature Reserve is located two miles east of Orland north of State Road 120 on County Road 750 West. High ridges of woodland surround a small glacial lake and then break to the east in an expanse of tamarack forest with deep mats of living sphagnum moss.

The Ropchan Wildlife Refuge is located along State Road 827 near County Road 500 North. Rolling glacial kames surround Cemetery Lake with adjoining broad marshland of reeds, ferns and tamarack. The area supports a mixture of plants and animals.

McClue Reserve, located on County Road 400 North, about one mile east of State Road 127 North, is an 80 acre tract containing a large variety of wildlife and birds. Marked trails and printed guides are available. If a personally-guided tour is desired, this may be arranged by contacting Pokagon State Park naturalist Fred Wooley at (260) 833-2012. Although there is no admission, visitors are asked not to picnic, camp or hunt in the reserve.

Other areas that are ideal for hiking include the Pigeon River State Fish & Wildlife Area located south of Orland and south of State Road 120, west of State Road 327 North on County Road 300 North.

The Anspaugh Wildlife Habitat Trust Area is open to the public on a limited basis. The 80 acre tract on Loon Lake south of County Road 100 North west of Loon Lake public access off Landis Road includes lowland woods, wet meadows, shrub wetlands and lake frontage.

The Elizabeth Hanna Nature Reserve is located on the east shore of Clear Lake. The Town of Clear Lake dedicated the six acres of land to Elizabeth “Lib” Hanna in recognition of her dedication to the preservation of wildlife areas.