Directions
Epoufette Bay Road is located along US-2 just west of Epoufette on the south side, or lakeside. If you are heading west along US-2 you will want to turn south (left) onto Bellant Road about 1.7 miles west of the Cut River Bridge. If you are heading east along US-2 you will want to turn south (right) 1.2 miles east of the scenic pull out onto Bellant Road. In a half mile turn west (right) onto Epoufette Bay Road. Turn west (right) and travel a little over 0.1 miles to the Hendricks Township Park on the left where You�ll find beach access, picnic tables and a pit toilet. The township park is open May through October.
Epoufette Bay Road and Hendricks Township Park
Naubinway - St. Ignace
Birding Information
The Lake Michigan shoreline at the township park is lined with tamaracks and alders where one may catch glimpses of northern waterthrush and alder flycatchers. Late in the year, an apple tree in the park may attract foraging cedar waxwings. This stop offers a variety of habitats as you leave the park and continue further along the road (the county road ends in two miles) passing by small creeks and flooded young timber, marshy shore and conifer patches. Red-winged blackbirds, swamp sparrow and marsh wren can be seen perching on stems along marshy edges and protected bays. Golden-crowned kinglets and winter wrens can be found feeding in conifer patches. Sparrows and veerys can be found in this area as well. This road is known for being a wonderful stop over for a large variety of migrating warblers including palm, pine, black-throated blue, Nashville and golden-winged warblers. It is also a reliable site for red-breasted mergansers and common goldeneyes.
Area Information
Epoufette, meaning a "place to rest" was an early Indian village prior to 1848 when it was settled by French fishermen. The area is believed to have been founded when Jacque Marquette who used the harbor as his first resting place when leaving St. Ignace on his trip down Lake Michigan around 200 years earlier.
Bathrooms
Pit Toilet
Parking
Yes
Road Birding
Yes
Hiking Trails
No
Viewing Platform
No
Winter Access
Yes