Under An Hour From Detroit Is Michigan's Idyllic Nature Escape With Wetland Trails And Wildlife

Historically, when urban infrastructure expands, it's to the detriment of the surrounding natural landscape. But that's not always the case, and Crosswinds Marsh in Michigan's Wayne County is proof. The area was farmland until the 1990s, when the expansion of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport destroyed adjacent protected wetlands. To mitigate this impact, they relocated endangered species from the expansion site a few miles south, restoring the natural wetlands that had existed there before the land was drained for agriculture. In the process, they created Crosswinds Marsh, one of the biggest self-sustaining wetlands mitigation projects in the United States.

With a total area of over 1,000 acres, Crosswinds Marsh gives wetlands wildlife a lot of room to roam. While not all of that space is accessible to the public, the portion containing the marsh itself was developed with recreation in mind. Its more than 5 miles of trails include long wooden boardwalks that run along the water's surface, giving visitors an up-close view of the lily pads and other water plants that now thrive here. The 4.5-mile Equestrian Trail, 1.8-mile Bald Eagle Trail, and 0.5-mile Woodpecker Trail loop also go deeper into the surrounding woodlands, expanding the habitats visitors can explore and the types of wildlife they can see here.

Since the primary goal of Crosswinds Marsh is to restore nature, some activities are prohibited. You can't ride bikes or other vehicles on the trails, and no boats are allowed out on the marsh (this includes paddleboats like kayaks and canoes). Fishing is permitted from the two designated areas near the entrance, along with activities like hiking and horseback riding, and leashed dogs are welcome as long as you pick up after them. For anyone seeking a green oasis within easy reach of Detroit, Crosswinds Marsh is a spot worth exploring.

Southeast Michigan is along the migration paths for many birds. The region's mix of forests, rivers, and wetlands attracts a variety of species, from warblers in the spring to hawks and waterfowl in the winter. This makes spots like the massive Erie Marsh Preserve near the Ohio border a popular year-round destination for birders, and Crosswinds Marsh is another place where avian enthusiasts can add to their life lists.

Users on eBird have recorded 240 distinct species in the marsh. The most famous winged residents are the pair of bald eagles that started nesting here shortly after the preserve was formed and have returned each year. Their nest can be seen along the northern section of the Bald Eagle Trail loop. The wooden boardwalks around the marsh are the ideal place to spot cranes, swans, and other water birds. Sandhill cranes are particularly common here, and in the winter, you can also see species like Iceland gulls and black-backed gulls. It's also a year-round home for Eastern bluebirds, while the warmer months bring other songbirds like flycatchers, cuckoos, wrens, and vireos.

Birds aren't the only wildlife you can see at Crosswinds Marsh. Visitors have also spotted over 40 species of mammals, most notably beavers, which hadn't been seen in Wayne County since the 1930s before the marsh opened. Muskrats, deer, foxes, and coyotes count among the marsh's other warm-blooded residents. The park is also home to more than 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, as well as roughly 70 species of butterflies and dragonflies. Though you'll see these colorful insects fluttering all around the marsh, the wildflower garden is a particularly good place to find them, as well as where you can check out the marsh's unique wild bee hotel.

Crosswinds Marsh is in the town of New Boston, about 40 miles north of Toledo, Ohio, and roughly the same distance south of Detroit, where you can find other unexpected green spaces like the under-the-radar Milliken State Park with walkable trails in the heart of the city. It's also within day-trip range of northeast Ohio, about 150 miles from Cleveland. 

For those coming from further away, the Detroit Metropolitan Airport is only about a half-hour drive to the north, and there are several hotels right around the airport where you can stay if you're planning a multi-day trip. The closest motels to the marsh are along Telegraph Road, about 10 miles to the east. This also puts them close to other green spaces like Lake Erie Metropark and Oakwoods Metropark, for those planning to tour more of Southeast Michigan's natural spaces. You can also extend your exploration south down the lakeshore to check out spots like William C. Sterling State Park, Michigan's only state park on Lake Erie.

One of the unique things about Crosswinds Marsh is how peaceful and secluded it feels, despite being just a couple of miles from the interstate. That said, if you want to visit when it's a bit more bustling, you can check out the upcoming schedule of public programs. The free Nature Fest event in May is a great one for families with kids, including activities like face painting and a bounce house along with animal exhibits, nature-themed crafts, and fishing. The marsh also hosts a Harvest Festival in October with hayrides, a bonfire, and a kids' costume parade. For those more interested in the wildlife than events, you can visit from dawn through dusk any day of the year.