Treat Farm Trail — Attraction in Empire Township

If you like to feel like you’re in a horror movie and like you’re about to be murdered this is the trail for you. A random stranger we met at Glen Haven recommended we go to this trail due to Pierce Stocking being closed. He never gave us the name of the trail just the intersecting roads. Told us to park by the barn and go around the closed gate. To set the mood, as soon as we arrive to the road leading to the trailhead, there was an older gentleman walking in the dead center of the road. We all thought, “okay, that’s a bit creepy.” Nevertheless we carried on. So after about a half mile through thick woods (great and well kept trail) we reach a clearing. In this clearing is a vacant White House, an old barn, a shed, a brick dome shaped building, and what looked like a chicken coop type of thing, all locked with nearly brand new locks. Sure did we build it up to be creepier than it was, for sure, but when a random person gives us a suggestion to go to this not well known trail and without giving the trail name, we were rightfully a little creeped out.

However, after making our way through the meadow and through a small thicket of shrubbery, we made it to easily one of the most beautiful Views of Sleeping Bear we could have ever imagined. 10/10 would recommend. If you’re easily spooked, don’t do this alone, get a group around...

We made plans to hike the Empire Bluff Trail on this beautiful mid-July day, but found about 80 cars parked all over Wilco Road when we arrived at the trailhead.

A quick glance at Google Maps showed this trail was barely a mile away. In about three minutes we were parked at the Treat Farm Trail trailhead with only 10 cars there.

The trail is beautifully maintained, proceeding through dense woods fragrant with wildflowers this time of the summer. After a half mile of very gentle uphill walking, the trail leads to an open meadow and the historic buildings of the farm.

Walking between the barn and outbuildings, the trail winds through an open meadow and into more woods, then emerges at the edge of wooded dunes with very steep dropoffs. There are several observation points among the trees along the edge, so you'll have plenty of spots to enjoy the view.

After enjoying this trail, we drove south from the trailhead on the seasonal road about 1.7 miles to Esch Road and took in Esch Beach, which is a beautiful public access to Lake Michigan with plenty of open sand and...

Treat Farm Trail is a gorgeous setting, and an extremely easy hike from parking on the road by the gate, to the bluff overlook. The farm house and old barn are beautiful, but the old concrete root cellar and garage are remarkable. Take the path past the barn, thru the meadow to the bluff. Stay to the left to follow the trail at the base of the dune, & please do NOT go up the dune and add to the erosion from others. It is a very fragile bluff! Help preserve it for future enjoyment. The woods were chock full of white butterflies and wild flowers while we were there (early May)... Trillium, violets, Trout Lily, Dutchman Breeches, Squirrel Corn, Jack in the Pulpit and others. No bathrooms or out houses, so plan accordingly. Highly recommend. Breathtaking views from a high bluff viewpoint without...