Don’t Venture Into Jackson County’s Black Spruce Bog Alone

If you happen to be scouring Google Maps and come across “Black Spruce Bog”, you need to know this is not unique to Michigan – there are a good number of black spruce bogs in the country. A good many of them are in Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, and Canada.

What is it?

This particular one is found on the north side of Waterloo-Munith Road west of Parks Road. It’s 40 acres worth of swampy bog that includes drainage on the north end. It is believed that this bog has been around since the end of the last Ice Age, around 10,000 years ago.

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While other bogs dried up and disappeared, this one hangs in there. The Waterloo Recreation Area is where this bog has its home, making it the southernmost black spruce bog in Michigan.

Black spruce trees, the pink moccasin flower orchid, pitcher plants, sphagnum moss, and sundews found throughout the area are occasionally visited by the saw-whet owl.

Don’t expect to get the full visual treatment just by driving by; too much foliage and hardwood trees block casual viewing. You want the full effect? There are no trails in this bog. You’ll need protective clothing, waterproof boots – or maybe even waders - and a compass, because yeah, you’ll get lost if you don’t have one. From what I understand, you may need something to help cut through the heavy underbrush...you could get snagged by roots or vines and have a heckuva time getting loose.....or found.