The Fox Den Trail is part of the 500-acre County Parkland known as the Natural Education Reserve. It is managed by the Grand Traverse Conservation District. The Fox Den Trail begins at the steps by the Sabin Dam, about two miles south of South Airport Road on Cass Road. The trail goes a short distance through mixed shrubs and a meadow. Native species here include Ninebark, Staghorn Sumac, Virgin’s Bower, and Quaking Aspen. The left-hand trail loops through a cedar swamp, where there is a foot bridge over Jack’s Creek. Native species include White Cedar, Sensitive Fern and Balsam Fir. The trail continues on a long boardwalk through a cattail and alder swamp. There is a viewing platform in the middle of the wetlands, where Joe-Pye Weed and Boneset are numerous. Other natïve species include Balsam Fir, Speckled Alder and Turtlehead. After leaving the wetlands, the trail continues through a meadow and into a mixed hardwood forest. The meadow is part of an original farm homestead, where apple orchards were once planted. Native species here include White Pine, White Cedar, Horsetail, and Wild Blackberries. Another foot bridge crosses the creek and the trail continues along the Boardman River and back to the Sabin Dam. The Fox Den Loop is about .6 mile long.

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