The Old Nursery Trail is part of the 429-acre North Higgins State Park that occupies land that was formerly the Higgins Lake Nursery. The trail is a four-season path used heavily by cross-country skiers in winter. Spring walkers will find obnoxious biting insects.

The self-guided 1.5-mile loop is enhanced through interpretive signage and an accompanying state park brochure. Highlighting the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planting efforts, the trail exhibits the seven hundred-bed seed nursery, remnants of the irrigation system and cistern, 1912 ice house, a fire tower and more. The terrain is flat and easy to walk. Tours of the first reforestation project in Michigan, which started at the Higgins Lake Nursery in 1903, are scheduled throughout the summer and by special request.

Just east of the trailhead rests the Ralph A. McMullan Conference Center, a CCC structure that now serves as a museum depicting the lifestyle of depression-era reconstruction efforts in our nation.

Alongside the museum, campers will find the East Campground. North Higgins State Park also features cabin lodging, fishing (all seasons) and a developed swimming beach.

Directions: From Roscommon, MI, Travel CR 203 west about 8 - 10 miles to find the trailhead adjacent to the park headquarters.

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Difficulty: Easy

Visitor Information

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