Located just a few miles northeast of Kalamazoo, Gull Lake is one of the few in Southern Michigan that can be labeled a mesotrophic lake. This means that it’s clear and has a moderate level of nutrients to support aquatic plants and wildlife.
While the lake presents a wonderful opportunity for outdoor recreation, there are a few other attractions nearby that deserve your attention. The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful place with accessible trails and interpretive tours. In addition, nearby Fort Custer Recreation Area and Gull Meadow Farms allow you to explore nature further.
W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
On the southeast side of Gull Lake, the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is a wildlife center. With public programs that focus on conservation, it’s part of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station of Michigan State University. At the center of the bird sanctuary is Wintergreen Lake, and throughout the sanctuary are various habitats for not only birds but also other wildlife.
The sanctuary has 3 miles of walking trails that give you a close view of hundreds of wild and captive birds. There’s a ¾-mile paved trail that leads to the small lake where the resident game birds, raptors, and waterfowl provide for amazing photography opportunities. You’re likely to see several duck species, Canadian geese, trumpeter swans, and more.
Throughout the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary are captive bird enclosures, too. The Birds of Prey enclosures house common and rare raptors — bald eagles, eastern screech owls, red-tailed hawks, and others. The Leslie E. Tassel enclosures house endangered and threatened bird species. In the Pollinator Garden, you’ll find native plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
If you spend the whole day at the sanctuary, you can pack a lunch and have a picnic in the designated area. Before you leave, though, stop by the Resource Center to browse and purchase locally made items, fair trade products, toys, gifts, and more.
Fort Custer Recreation Area
About a 10-minute drive south of the bird sanctuary and Gull Lake is the Fort Custer Recreation Area. The state park features a range of recreational activities because it features the Kalamazoo River, three lakes — Eagle Lake, Jackson Hole Lake, and Whitford-Lawler Lake — prairie restoration, and second-growth forests.
The 3,033-acre park has an exceptional trail system that totals more than 40 miles. Along with hiking, the trails are ideal for horseback riding and mountain biking. You can see the system on this mountain bike trail map.
On Eagle Lake, Fort Custer Beach has a designated swim area and accessible walkway. Each body of water in Fort Custer Recreation Area has a boat launch, so you can bring your own or a rented canoe or kayak to do some paddle-boating. You can fish while you’re out on the water or use the fishing pier on Whitford-Lawler Lake. The lakes are home to bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, pike, and other species.
Since it’s easy to spend the day here, you might want to pack lunch and snacks. There are picnic areas on Eagle Lake and Whitford-Lawler Lake that feature charcoal grills and tables.
Gull Meadow Farms
Just a 10-minute drive west of the bird sanctuary and on the other side of Gull Lake, Gull Meadow Farms in Richland is known for its family-friendly activities and award-winning apple cider and doughnuts. In fact, visiting the farm has become an annual tradition for many Michiganders.
Throughout the year, Gull Meadow Farms has more than 30 activities. The wagon ride through the woods lets you relax and enjoy the scenery around the farm. At the Porkchopville Raceway on the weekends, you can see the pigs race for doughnuts. The petting farm is where you can get up close to alpacas, goats, miniature ponies, pigs, a Scottish Highland cow, and sheep. You can even feed the goats!
During the first three weekends of August, Gull Meadow Farms hosts Sunflower Days. For this event, you can walk through the 5-acre sunflower field, which grows more than 24 varieties of sunflowers. At the end of the month, the farm hosts the Kalamazoo Balloon Fest with an awesome display of hot air balloons in the sky.
If you miss Gull Meadow Farms during the summer, there are plenty of fall activities to experience as well. It designs a unique 6-acre corn maze and has a mini corn maze for small children. In early September, the apple orchard opens for picking your own apples, and the farm hosts the Grandparents Weekend and Touch-A-Tractor event. On top of that, there are apple cannons, a U-pick pumpkin patch, and a Giant Pumpkin Drop event.
No matter when you visit Gull Meadow Farms, you have to stop by the Apple Barn and Bakery for delicious apple cider, doughnuts, and a variety of other treats — cookies, hand-dipped caramel apples, pies, turnovers, and more. Also, you can get branded apparel, hats, and coffee mugs as well as a plush version of an animal from the petting farm.
More Things To Explore Near Gull Lake
Gilmore Car Museum
Only a 10-minute drive north of the bird sanctuary is the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners. The 90-acre campus is the biggest automobile museum in the country and a popular historic attraction in Michigan. On display in two buildings are almost 400 fantastic collector and vintage motorcycles and vehicles.
Furthermore, the museum hosts car and motorcycle shows nearly every weekend. It plans concerts and Wednesday night cruise-ins, too.
There are two restaurants on the property. The Heritage Cafe serves sandwiches, salads, and wrap. The Blue Moon Diner serves burgers, hot dogs, and old-fashioned custard.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Less than a 15-minute drive west of Gull Meadow Farms is the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Voted the top nature center by other nature centers, it features indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Across the 1,100 acres are 11 hiking trails, an 11-acre arboretum, beautifully landscaped gardens and lawns, a 3,600-square-foot deck, and state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. Additionally, there’s a Bug House, hummingbird and butterfly garden, and three-story tropical rainforest.
Great Food & Restaurant Options Near Gull Lake
All around Gull Lake, there are several places to get delicious food. In Richland, Kitchen House isn’t far from Gull Meadow Farms and serves Italian-inspired dishes that celebrate Michigan agriculture. At the southern tip of Gull Lake, South Kitchen is a sister restaurant to Kitchen House and serves some of the best Southern-style food.
Right across the street, Chicken House is a funky chicken and ice cream shop with a menu inspired by Nashville hot chicken eateries. The dishes pay tribute to Nashville and the South with Duke’s Mayonnaise and Crystal Hot Sauce. However, it also incorporates Michigan products into its menus, such as buns from Michigan Bread Co. and desserts from Plainwell Ice Cream.
Within walking distance of Gull Lake, The Dock at Bayview serves American dishes and has live music. It’s across the intersection from Gull Lake Marine where you can rent boats to explore the lake.
If you don’t eat at the Gilmore Car Museum, NEDS on Gull Lake is just a 5-minute drive back toward Gull Lake. You can order thin crust pizza, Angus beef burgers, slow-cooked barbecue, deli sandwiches, and grinders. The restaurant has a sizable beer menu, a fun atmosphere, and patio seating that overlooks the lake.