Experiencing the two distinct and great peninsulas of Michigan is nature at its best; it’s no wonder the tourism slogan of “Pure Michigan” has caught the attention of visitors, investors, and landowners looking for a treasured piece of the midwestern landscape. Those looking for Michigan land for sale will undoubtedly find what they seek in the Great Lake State.
Michigan History
The land we now call Michigan has been shaped by the presence and contributions of Native American tribes, European exploration and colonization, industrial growth, agricultural efforts, and a vibrant cultural heritage. Indigenous groups, including the Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Huron, established trade networks and lived off the abundant natural resources of fishing, hunting, and fertile agricultural lands that are still enjoyed today. After Michigan passed into American control from the British in the Treaty of Paris of 1763, Michigan initially formed part of the Northwest Territory and would become a state in 1837. The 19th century brought industrialism to the state, while the 20th century would bring the automobile industry to the state.
Hunting Land for Sale in Michigan
Hunting Michigan's Lower Peninsula hosts healthy populations of whitetail deer, wild turkeys, black bears, and small game. Even elk near Gaylord’s Huron National Forest draws hunters from across the state for a coveted resident tag. Oak ridges, birch, walnuts, aspens, and towering pines fill these forests as swamps and streams intertwine to establish incredible habitat diversity, ideal for bedding, natural forage, and security cover. Black bears and whitetail deer are also hunted in the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests. The UP of Michigan is also a haven for hunters with both private and public hunting lands that are home to forests and landscapes that are more remote and denser than the lower peninsula of the state, rewarding patient hunters with larger game and a truly unique hunting experience. Those looking to purchase hunting land for sale in Michigan will find precisely what they desire in the Great Lakes State.
For anglers, you’re never more than six miles away from one of the miles of coastline, inland lakes, or rivers. Harbor towns provide a home base for boaters looking to fish for salmon, steelhead, whitefish, and lake trout, while lakes Huron and Superior are home to record-breaking pike.
Wooded Land for Sale in Michigan
Michigan's giant interior forests have provided lumber for hundreds of years, and the state still ranks fifth in timber production. The Upper Peninsula is home to expansive forests and rugged terrain, while the lower peninsula also covers millions of acres of forest. Hardwoods, including oak, maple, cherry, and ash, grow alongside pine, spruce, and fir to provide a renewable source of timber, wood fiber, and other forest products. Michigan is an industry leader in sustainable forest management, and foresters play a vital role in environmental conservation. Many timberland owners in Michigan opt to pursue forest certification programs from the Forest Stewardship Council or Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Farm Land for Sale in Michigan
From vast cornfields and blueberry fields to fruitful orchards, Michigan is a thriving agricultural state. Michigan’s 9 million apple trees in commercial production grow the third-most apples in the nation and grow 70% of the nation's cherries. Southwest Michigan has perfect soil and an ideal climate for growing a third of the nation's blueberries. Meanwhile, the shores of Lake Huron are ideal for growing sugar beets, corn, and soybeans. Livestock farming is also prominent in the state, with cattle, pigs, poultry, and dairy cows rounding out the steady supply of meat, eggs, and dairy products. Michigan farmers have embraced agritourism, the farm-to-table movement, and sustainable farming practices, utilizing precision agriculture to maintain soil health and preserve the long-term viability of the land.
Michigan Waterways and Water Rights
As the land of over 11,000 inland lakes, hundreds of rivers and streams, and over 3,000 miles of freshwater coast along the Great Lakes, Michigan has been known for years as a water and wildlife wonderland. Water rights in Michigan are governed by a combination of laws, regulations, and principles including riparian rights that aim to ensure equitable and fair access, responsible use, and conservation of this precious resource. The Great Lakes Compact is an agreement among the Great Lakes States to protect and preserve the Great Lakes Basin’s water resources, and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regulates and oversees the allocation of water resources.
Michigan Mineral Rights
From valuable minerals like copper and iron to industrial materials including gypsum and limestone, Michigan’s geology continues to hold immense potential for investors looking to support the state’s economic growth. Michigan mineral rights can be separate from surface rights and held privately, by corporations, or the state, while mining operations meet industrial, construction, and manufacturing needs across the nation.
Michigan Industry & Recreation
Crossing the Straits of Mackinac on the Mighty Mackinac Bridge is like stepping back in time. The pace of life slows down, the wilderness expands, and it's not uncommon for local store owners to post signs in the middle of the day declaring they've "gone fishing."
Natural attractions like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the east and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Area in the west overlook the rocky shores of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. These family destinations are just a few of the places popular among summer travelers every year. Campgrounds, parks, hiking trails, kayaking, and canoeing pepper the state with nearly endless opportunities to create memories and experience the outdoors in special ways.
Modern Michigan has experienced both economic and industrial transformation; while the auto industry remains essential, the state has diversified its efforts to include technology, healthcare, research, and education.
Land for Sale in Michigan
Find your peaceful home with Pure Michigan embedded in the very heart of your new home, farm, cottage, or rural land. To find your perfect farm or hunting land for sale in Michigan that is well within your reach, contact your local Whitetail Properties Land Specialist to learn more.
