Michigan DNR land auction: 95 new plots to choose from across state

Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·4 min read

Ever dreamed of owning your own piece of land, deep in the lush forests of Michigan's Upper Peninsula or along the sandy waterfronts of your favorite Great Lake — the perfect escape from bustling city life or bland suburbia?

Here's your chance to make that dream a reality.

Starting Aug. 4, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be auctioning off 95 parcels of land throughout the state. Minimum bids vary depending on acreage, location, water and/or road access, and other features, but the cheapest minimum bids go for as low as $300 for different-sized plots.

Land is being sold from 12 counties across the Upper and Lower Peninsulas: Alger, Allegan, Chippewa, Dickinson, Iosco, Lake, Kent, Mackinac, Midland, Montcalm, Oscoda and Presque Isle.

Lot #10027 in Plainfield Township, Kent County. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Lot #10027 in Plainfield Township, Kent County. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The auction dates are organized by county, where bidding will then be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. the day of the auction. They are:

  • Aug. 4 – Lake County.

  • Aug. 10 – Montcalm County.

  • Aug. 15 – Alger, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.

  • Aug. 16 – Dickinson County.

  • Aug. 22 – Oscoda County.

  • Aug. 23 – Presque Isle County.

  • Aug. 29 – Allegan and Kent counties.

  • Sept. 6 – Midland County.

  • Sept. 7 – Iosco County.

Lot #10065 near St. Ignace and Lake Michigan. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Lot #10065 near St. Ignace and Lake Michigan. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Why is the DNR selling land?

Selling surplus land is a part of the DNR’s strategy to assure that Michigan’s lands are being used for the benefit of its residents, visitors and natural resources, according to a news release.

“Much of the land is isolated from other DNR-managed property, and that can create management challenges,” said Scott Whitcomb, acting DNR deputy director. “Other parcels are included for auction because they offer limited public opportunities for quality outdoor recreation experiences.”

Auction proceeds will help provide future outdoor recreational activities that further DNR’s mission to conserve, protect and manage the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.

Waterfront properties

Lot #10021 in Bay Mills Township, Chippewa County. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Lot #10021 in Bay Mills Township, Chippewa County. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

There are a few notable waterfront properties:

Montcalm County: A 2.1-acre property on South River Road with over 600 feet of water frontage on Flat River, listed at $4,600.

Chippewa County: A 0.62-acre property (pictured above) located north-northwest of the West Lakeshore Drive and Ranger Road intersection with approximately 550 feet of water frontage on Lake Superior, listed at $154,000.

Presque Isle County: A 120-acre property located northwest of the Thompson and Dempsey Road intersection with over 200 feet of water frontage on Rainy River, listed at $180,000.00; and an 80 acre property located northwest of the 3 Mile Highway and South Porter Road intersection with over 1,500 feet of water frontage on the Little Rainy River, listed at $135,000.

Large acreage properties

Of the 95 parcels being sold, over 20 properties found within the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula are between 40 and 200 acres. Here are some of those:

Alger County: A 200-acre property without road access west of the Rapid River Truck Trail, listed at $60,000.

Chippewa County: A 40-acre property along South Riverside Drive, listed at $37,500.

Lake County: A 35 acre property with road access from Kings Highway, listed at $50,000.

Midland County: A 40-acre property on the northwest corner of the Gordonville and Alamando Road intersection with road frontage on both Gordonville and Alamando roads, listed at $76,500.

Presque Isle County: Presque Isle County is home to several other properties between 40 and 120 acres in size.

Lot #10037 in Cherry Valley Township, Lake County. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Lot #10037 in Cherry Valley Township, Lake County. Provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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How to bid

Bidders must register before a property’s auction date, but any interested bidders can pre-register here for more information about the online auction. Absentee bids can be made as early as 30 days before a property’s auction date.

When a property’s auction opens at 10 a.m. on its respective date, bidders will be able to see the current highest bids for each property and place their own bids until 7 p.m. when bidding closes and the winner is determined.

The DNR is also offering additional properties left over from previous auctions, listed at their former minimum prices, for immediate purchase via their BuyNow! list.

For more information, go to Michigan.gov/LandforSale or contact DNR resource specialist Michael Michalek at 517-331-8387.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan DNR land auction: 95 new plots across the state