Located in the heart of Lake Leelanau Village, the Narrows is an integral part of the town’s character. When an 80-slip marina was proposed here, the community rallied to preserve these precious wetlands.

In 2001 Lake Leelanau riparians and others who wanted to preserve the quality of the lake came together to raise enough money for the Leelanau Conservancy to purchase 21 acres.

1,500 feet of shoreline were forever protected, along with one of the finest remaining emergent wetland complexes along Lake Leelanau. The ecological value of this land is immense: raptors nest here; numerous grasses provide abundant wildlife habitat and the filtering wetlands are integral to the overall health of this vast lake.

Two years later, another opportunity arose to protect an additional 45 acres and 640 feet of shoreline just north of the aforementioned 21 acres. Known as the Hutchinson property, the additional 45 acres features a hardwood forest, lowland swamp and meadow – along with all that beautiful shoreline. An ecological powerhouse, the Hutchinson lands tripled the size of the wetlands complex already under our wing. The filtration capacity of these extensive wetlands is crucial to maintaining the lake’s water quality. We completed that project in 2003 with the help of grants and private donations.

Now, as the many boaters pass through this Narrows between North and South Lake Leelanau, they can be assured that part of this shoreline is preserved forever.

Lake Leelanau Narrows Access:

This 66-acre area is comprised of fragile wetlands and open for Guided Tours Only.