Immerse yourself in the Serene Beauty of Baker Woodlot on the MSU Campus

Baker Woodlot & Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary is a natural area on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. It has been added to the Old Growth Forest Network (OGFN), a national network of protected old-growth forests.

If large trees capture your eye and your heart, you don’t want to miss a stroll through these wide, well-kept trails. Parking can be a challenge on weekdays, but there is ample parking around the woodlot on the weekends. The Trees are giant and form a canopy so high that it seems there is a three-story roof over your head. The trees provide a lot of shade with dappled sunlight, so the understory is pretty clear, and you can see quite a distance around you.

The walk is relatively flat, but many roots are sticking up from the ground, so be sure to watch your footing. Besides trees and shrubs, you will see birds and parts of the old foundations of farm buildings. Walking into these woods feels like stepping into another world—a secret world of trees and forest creatures. Bask in the quiet beauty and stroll through Baker Woodlot on the MSU Campus. You won’t regret it (unless you forget the mosquito repellant).

Please reference the links above for specific details regarding parking places and the entrances to the lot. Enjoy your walk in this enchanting Old-Growth Forest.

After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the forest, tame your tummy and quench your thirst at Old Nation Brewing Co. in Williamston. Definitely worth a short drive!

A couple of other noteworthy hidden gem forests to explore in Michigan would be Sutherland Nature Sanctuary and Oakwood Lake Park. They both have beautiful habitats and low traffic.