A walk in the park: Michigan State's Baker Woodlot features thick forest, bird sanctuary

Nick King, Lansing State Journal

October 6, 2023 at 8:01 AM·2 min read

A Walk in the Park is an ongoing series from State Journal photographer Nick King, who intends to explore Lansing area parks one hour at a time. If you have a suggestion of a park he should visit, email him at nking@lsj.com.

The Baker Woodlot and Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary is a 78-acre natural area located off Bogue Street — bordered by Service Road on the north and Farm Lane on the west — on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.

The park features a canopy of diverse, mature trees with a walking trail loop that is about 1.8 miles around the perimeter of the park. Other trails cut across from the main loop through the middle of the forest. In addition to the forest, there's plenty of wildlife and it is an especially good spot for bird watching.

Thick woods along the trail at the Michigan State University Baker Woodlot on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in East Lansing.

The natural dirt trails are wide enough to traverse comfortably and are well maintained. Occasionally, you'll have to hop over a log that has fallen blocking the trail. The foliage is so thick at times that light has a hard time breaking through. The forest is quiet and peaceful and is the perfect setting for a nature walk.

There are three entrances to the park on Bouge Street and one on Farm Lane. Parking can be a challenge because the spots near the Bouge Street entrances are reserved for employees and staff from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The closest public parking is at MSU's Ramp #5 at Trowbridge Road between Red Cedar Road and Farm Lane. You can also ride your bike there by talking the Lansing River Trail to the MSU campus.

There are no bathrooms on site and the park is open for dusk until dawn. Bring bug spray and watch out for ticks.

Recently the woodlot was inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network. The network is a group of old-growth, native forests that are protected and preserved for the sake of the trees and animals that live within the forest and for people to be able to continue to study and enjoy. There's a celebration of the woodlot's induction at 1p.m. Saturday. The event, which is open to the public, includes a guided walk though the woodlot by MSU experts.