Lodging DirectoryQuality Inn

Forward Conference Center 2980 Cook Rd West Branch MI 48661

989.345-3503 www.choicehotels.com

Super 8 2596 Austin’s Way West Branch MI 48661

989.345-8488 www.super8.com

Tri Terrace Motel 2259 W I-75 Business Loop West Branch MI 48661

989.345-3121 www.triterracemotel.com

Welcome Motel 3308 W M-76 West Branch MI 48661

989.345-2896

Other area lodging opportunities...

Clear Lake Resort - 989/345-2459 Lake George Resort - 989/343-0856

LogHaven Bed & Breakfast - 989/685-3527 Scenic Motel - 989/685-2668

West Branch Area Chamber of Commerce

and West Branch Visitors Bureau

422 West Houghton Ave. West Branch, MI 48661

800.755.9091 www.visitwestbranch.com

www.wbacc.com

Getting to the Ogemaw Nature Park

Northbound I-75:Take exit 222. Turn right onto St. Helen Rd. Head straight through town. As you are heading out of town, you’ll see the road curve ahead and rail-road tracks to your right. Take a right onto F-97 and head over the rail-road tracks. Keep driving straight about 2 miles. You’ll see a street light directly over the road and a green sign on the right reading “Game Ref-uge”, “Clear Lake.” Turn right. School Road/Refuge Road/F-28. Drive about a mile down and you’ll see Ogemaw Nature Park sign on the left hand side. We are the ONLY establishment on this road!

Southbound I-75: Take exit 222. Turn left onto St Helen Rd. Head straight through town. As your heading out of town, you’ll see the road curve ahead and rail-road tracks to your right. Take a right onto F-97 and head over the tracks. Keep driving straight about 2 miles. You’ll see a street light di-rectly over the road and a green sign on the right reading “Game Ref-uge”, “Clear Lake”. Turn right onto this road. It has multiple names....School Rd, Refuge Rd, F-28. Drive about a mile down and you’ll see our sign on the left hand side. We are the ONLY establishment on this road!

HOURSSummer Hours: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day WeekendMonday - Friday 11 a.m. -7 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Spring and Fall Hours: First Weekend in May through Memorial Day Weekend and After Labor Day Weekend to November 1.Weekends Only Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

OgemawNature Park

Whitetail Deer

5626 W. Rose City Rd.West Branch, MI

For More Information Call989.389.3257

                                                   

I-­‐75  I-­‐75  

Exit  222  

St.  Helen  Rd.  /  M-­‐76  6.4  Mi  

School  Rd.  4.3  Mi    

Meredith  Rd.    

Houghton  Lake  

West  Branch  

Ogemaw  Nature  Park  

Exit  215  

The Ogemaw Nature Park is a free admis-sion park where you can hand-feed our herd of whitetail deer.

The history of the park starts back in

the 1920’s as a sanctuary for wild deer. A gentleman lived on the hill behind the now established park and loved feeding the wildlife. He eventually mounted a large dinner bell on a post and began ringing it every time he put out feed for the animals. Over time, the deer became trained to that noise and would come when called.

The property became a major attraction with the locals. People brought their children out to have an up close and

personal experi-ence with the local wildlife. Now the park is operated much like other deer farms. The Park is still a non-profit organiza-tion and the main source of funding

comes from visitors purchasing bags of feed to give the deer.

The Ogemaw Nature Park is a very secluded environment and is extremely peaceful and relaxing. Many families bring their lunch and spend the day here. The Ogemaw Nature Park is completely fenced in so that children can run free and make use of the park’s playground. The park

includes a shop providing drinks, souvenires and all types of snack op-tions for the family. The Ogemaw Na-ture Park features a play area for tod-dlers.

Park PeacockOur park peacock, Big Bird, struts his stuff during spring-time and his boisterous calls always amuse park visitors. Every year in August, he sheds his five foot train feathers all over the park. Kids love searching for them to take home.

Fawning SeasonMay through June is our fawning season. Every year

we challenge our young visitors with our “Fawn Naming Contest.” The number of winners de-pend on the number of fawns born at the park. If your child comes up with one of the most creative names, they will win an Ogemaw Nature Park T-shirt and a picture of their newly named fawn. So we welcome you to

bring your little ones to see our little ones!

Fall RutThroughout Fall, many hunters stop in to view our bucks in rut. The boys always put on a good show with their snorting, stomping and rubbing on everything in sight. They usually “hard horn” at the end of August and are in full rut by November. Over the next few years we will be working on getting some deer with color variations, maybe you will be lucky enough to see some piebalds here soon, so, stay tuned.

Summer FunEvery summer we hear stories ranging from 90 year old visitors who re-member coming out with their par-ents to baby boom-ers now bringing out their grand-children. All these stories warm our

hearts. We are always amazed to see new faces, too. We are certain that you will have a wonderful time and will con-tinue to bring your children and grandchildren back, year after year.

Party RentalsFor a unique experience call us today and schedule your next family reunion, baby shower, child’s birthday party or wed-ding at the Ogemaw Nature Park. The meeting hall can ac-commodate up to 150 guests and can be used during the warmer months. It includes a large kitchen with a stove, two refrigerators, tables and chairs, public rest rooms even horseshoe pits. and four rustic campsites available for rent. Many parties are held outdoors. There is a beauti-ful park-like set-ting next to the Hall with a large field, gazebo, benches and picnic tables. Call for pricing - 989.389.3257 or e-mail us at devkerekes@yahoo.com.

Visit us on Facebook®You can also check us out on Facebook® for updates to our calendar of events including Kids Day, Stargazer Nights, Wildlife Lectures or a Harvest Celebration. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

You can helpWe are always in need of items to keep the Ogemaw Na-ture Park running smoothly. If you would like to help in any way, just give us a call at 989.389.3257. You can also show your support by purchasing a yearly membership for $6 or by purchasing a few of our summer raffle tickets. Both are available at the Park Shop.