Lake frontage, river frontage and vacant, forested acreage surrounded by private ownership – these describe some of the parcels available in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ next round of surplus land auctions set for later this summer.
The DNR is busy preparing 91 such properties for sale via online auctions in August and early September.
Surplus land sales, a regular part of the DNR’s public land strategy, are key to how the department manages the land it oversees on behalf of the people of Michigan. Auction proceeds will be reinvested in acquiring critical land for the public to help provide future outdoor recreation opportunities in keeping with the DNR’s mission to conserve, protect and manage the state’s natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.
Land in more than two dozen counties throughout Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula will be available via 11 online auctions between Aug. 2 and Sept. 5:
- Tuesday, Aug. 6 – Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac counties.
- Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Dickinson, Houghton, Marquette, Menominee and Ontonagon counties.
- Thursday, Aug. 8 – Crawford, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Otsego and Roscommon counties.
- Friday, Aug. 9 – Antrim and Charlevoix counties.
- Tuesday, Aug. 13 – Alpena, Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties.
- Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Grand Traverse and Manistee counties.
- Wednesday, Aug. 21 – Arenac and Midland counties.
- Thursday, Aug. 22 – Macomb and St. Clair counties.
- Tuesday, Sept. 3 – Berrien County.
- Thursday, Sept. 5 – Genesee County.
How bidding works
Interested bidders may pre-register and get more information about the online auction schedule at www.tax-sale.info. If you would like to bid on a property, you must register before the property’s auction date. Absentee bids can be made up to 30 days before an auction.
The “interactive” bidding portion of an auction will open at 10 a.m. on that auction date. At that time, bidders will be able to see current high bids for each property. Bidders can continue to place bids on a property throughout the day until 7 p.m. when bidding closes and the winning bidder is determined.
More information on the bidding process, available acreage, maps and location information of the properties offered can be found at Michigan.gov/LandForSale. Interested bidders are encouraged to review DNR Land Sales: Terms and Conditions.
Sale property details
Many of the sale parcels are forested and/or have road or river frontage but are better suited for private ownership. Much of the land offered in these auctions is isolated from other DNR-managed property, which creates management challenges. Other parcels are included because they offer limited public recreation benefits.
Several of the largest land parcels are in Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Dickinson, Eaton, Grand Traverse, Livingston, Luce, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Midland, Ogemaw, Otsego and Presque Isle counties. Lakefront and riverfront parcels are available in Cheboygan, Chippewa, Houghton, Luce, Marquette, Menominee, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Otsego and St. Clair counties.
Other details:
- Properties for sale range in size from under an acre to 160 acres.
- Many of the surplus properties highlighted in this round of auctions are in Cheboygan, Manistee, Menominee, Ogemaw and Otsego counties.
- More than 30 available properties are 40 acres or larger and are spread mostly throughout the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula.
Notable waterfront properties that are accessible* include:
- A Chippewa County property with frontage on Trout Lake (Lot #10021).
- An Otsego County property with frontage on Seminole Lake (Lot #10074).
- A property in Ogemaw County on Elk Lake (Lot #10067).
In addition, notable large-acreage properties that are accessible* include:
- An 80-acre property in Grand Traverse County along Fife Lake Road (Lot #10028).
- A 39-acre Eaton County property along E. Broadway Highway (Lot #10024).
- A 50-acre parcel in Livingston County on Cunningham Lake Road (Lot #10032).
- Several properties in Ogemaw and Otsego counties between 40 and 120 acres in size (Lot #s 10065, 10066, 10068, 10069, 10070, 10075, 10078 and 10084).
*Some DNR-managed parcels are landlocked because they are surrounded by private landowners and thereby inaccessible to anyone who is not an adjacent landowner. Here, “accessible” means legally accessible (on foot, by vehicle, etc.) to anyone.
Most of the properties offered at auction were designated as surplus during the DNR’s state land review, a multiyear effort to examine isolated state-managed parcels that are 200 acres or less in size or that, due to a substantial private-public boundary, may be difficult to manage. Certain properties, such as boating access sites and designated trails, were removed from the review because they have been confirmed to contribute to the department’s mission.
Separate from the August/September online auctions, the DNR is offering additional properties (listed for sale at their former minimum bid prices) that were not sold in previous auctions. These properties are available for immediate purchase only via the BuyNow list.
DNR PARCELS CURRENTLY ON SALE MARQUETTE COUNTY (3)
Marquette /Ely Twp./$10,000.00/ 2.8 acres.(T46N, R28W) Section 33 – N 180 ft of Gov’t Lot 2 lying W of Big Perch Lake AA
The subject parcel is zoned Lakeshore & River and consists of vacant forested land on the western shore of Perch Lake. The subject is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Ishpeming, MI, near County Road CF. The subject does not have road frontage on County Road CF (i.e., landlocked). Relief on the parcel is relatively flat with predominantly wet muck soils. The subject is surrounded by 3 private landowners. The subject property has over 180 foot of frontage on Perch Lake. The township requires 1 acre to meet zoning to build regulations. A private road easement will likely need to be obtained before getting approval to build.
Marquette /Michigamme Twp./ $33,000.00/ 80 acres (T50N, R29W) Section 24 – S 1/2 of the NE 1/4 AA
The subject parcel is zoned TP – 40 – Timber Production Forty and consists of vacant forested land. The subject is located approximately 13 miles southwest of Big Bay, MI, south of Triple A Road. Relief on the parcel ranges from flat to rolling with dry sandy soils scattered with isolated pockets with wet muck soils. There is also a small pond located in the center of the property. The subject is surrounded by 3 private landowners. To legally access the property via Triple A Road (or a connecting access road) an easement would have to be granted by the private property owner(s) to the north or west. The property does meet local zoning to build, which requires 40 acres and a 660-foot setback but will likely require road access or an easement to get a building permit.
Marquette /Republic Twp./$75,000.00/ 25.7 acres/(T46N, R30W) Section 28 -Government Lot 2 AA
The subject parcel is zoned WR-1 – Waterfront Residential One and consists of vacant forested land on the eastern shore of Grant Lake. The subject is located approximately 7 miles southwest of Republic, MI, on Grant Lake Road. There is no legal access to the property. Fir Road is a seasonal county-maintained road, which is within a mile of the subject (to the north) and provides access to Grant Lake Road.
Marquette County does not maintain Grant Lake Road and the State of Michigan has not been supplied an easement for access to the property. Relief on the parcel is fairly level with mostly dry silty-loam soils. There are some small pockets of wet muck soils near the eastern border. The subject has 4 surrounding private landowners. The property does currently meet local zoning to build, which requires 1 acre and a 150-foot width. Road access or a private road easement will likely be needed to get approval to build. Nearly 1,350 foot of lake frontage.
DNR PARCEL CURRENTLY ON SALE DICKINSON COUNTY (1)
Waucedah Twp./$36,000.00/ 40 acres (T40N, R28W) Section 35-SE1/4 of the SE1/4 AA
The subject property is zoned Resource Production and consists of property on Co Road 569 (Foster City Road), north of the CCC Road intersection. More specifically, the subject is about 10 miles northeast of Vulcan, MI. Foster City Road and Lost Creek cut through the subject property. Electric power runs underground along the Foster City Road providing access for future use if desired. The State of Michigan plans on conducting a timber harvest on the subject parcel before the sale of the property.
DNR PARCELS CURRENTLY ON SALE MENOMINEE COUNTY (9)
Menominee/ City of Menominee/$800.00 /0.05 acre/Ludington and Carpenter’s First Addition to Menominee and Subdivision of Parts of Blocks 8, 14 and 15: N 33 1/4 of S 79 ft of Lot 16 & N 33 1/4 ft of S 79 ft of W 6 ft of Lot 17 Block 14 AA
The subject property is in the City of Menominee and consists of a strip of land 33.25 ft long (along 5th Street) X 66 ft wide. The parcel is located on the east side of 5th Street, south of the 6th Avenue intersection, in the southern part of the City of Menominee, MI. The property is surrounded by 2 private landowners and appears to be a maintained yard with a large tree on it. There is electric and city water/sewer along/near 5th Street. The area consists of poorly drained fine sandy soils. Local zoning has placed the property within the D1 Development district, which requires a minimum of 4,000 sq. ft and a lot width of 50 ft to build. Since the subject property is only ~2,200 sq. ft it is much too small to meet local zoning to build regulations.
Menominee/ Cedarville Twp./$30,000.00/ 40 acres (T35N, R25W) Section 19 -NW1/4 of the SE1/4 AA
The subject property is landlocked (no road access) and located northeast of Westman Dam Road and Cedar River Road intersection, 9 miles east of Stephenson, MI. The subject property is 40 acres and has 3 adjacent private landowners. The subject property has mostly poorly drained muck soils with some poorly drained sandy soils in the northern part of the property. Once the property secures legal road access, it will likely meet zoning to build if dry enough (pending local unit review).
Menominee/ Cedarville Twp./$30,000.00/ 40 acres/(T36N, R24W) Section 4 -SW1/4 of the SE1/4 AA
The subject property is landlocked (no road access) and located northeast of the M-35 and Blue Fox Lane (No. 28.90 Lane) intersection, 19 miles southwest of Escanaba, MI. The subject property is 40 acres and has 8 adjacent private landowners. Olsen Creek flows through the southern portion of the property. The subject property is forested and has poorly drained muck soils. The parcel shares a common corner with State of MI ownership at the SW corner of the property. This is not legal public access to the property. Once the property secures legal road access, it will likely meet zoning to build if dry enough (pending local unit review). Property is located between M-35 and Lake Michigan (less than a 1/4 mile from Lake Michigan).
Menominee/ Harris Twp./$9,500.00 /6.8 acres/ (T41N, R25W) Section 26 – All that part of the NW 1/4 of NW 1/4 lying northerly of the thread of the Ford River, excluding the N 561 feet thereof. AA.
The subject property has approximately 1,300 feet of frontage on the Ford River, located near Camp 52 Road (north side of river), about 12 miles west of Cornell, MI. The subject property consists of forested land adjacent to 3 private landowners. Camp 52 Road is not legal road access to the property (private road; not listed as county maintained via Act 51 maps). The only way to legally access the parcel without a private road easement from an adjacent landowner, is to float the Ford River, which flows along the southern border of the property.
The subject property has somewhat poorly drained gravelly fine sandy loam soils north of river. If the buyer obtained road access it is assumed the property would be zoned to build. Interested buyers should contact Harris Township regarding zoning approval(s). There is a 33 ft wide State of Michigan easement across parts of the adjacent North 561 feet of the NW1/4 of the NW1/4 that can be used if a buyer finds access to the quarter-quarter.
Menominee/ Harris Twp./$22,000.00/ 16.2 acres/(T41N, R25W) Section 26 –
All that part of the NW 1/4of NW 1/4 lying southerly of the thread of the Ford River. AA The subject property has approximately 1,300 feet of frontage on the Ford River, located near Camp 52 Road, about 12 miles west of Cornell, MI. The subject property consists of forested land adjacent to 4 private landowners. Camp 52 Road is not legal road access to the property (private road; not listed as county maintained via Act 51 maps).
The only way to legally access the parcel without a private road easement from an adjacent landowner, is to float the Ford River, which flows through the center of the property. South of the river is composed of poorly drained muck soils in the lowlands. The uplands have well drained fine sandy loam soils. If the buyer obtained road access it is assumed the property would be zoned to build. Interested buyers should contact Harris Township regarding zoning approval(s).
Menominee/ Ingallston Twp./$40,500.00/ 120 acres (T34N, R26W)
Section 29 – SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4; Section 30 – SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4; Section 31 – NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 AA
The subject property is landlocked (no road access) and located northwest of the County Road 338 and Tarvas Road intersection, 15 miles north of Menominee, MI. The subject property is 120 acres and has 5 adjacent private landowners. Hanson Creek flows through the northern portion of the property into a flooding (Hanson Lake). The subject property has poorly drained peat/muck soils with ponded muck in the northern part of the parcel. The property is zoned AF – Agricultural Forest, which requires at least 1 acre and 200 ft of width to build. Once the property secures legal road access, it will likely meet zoning to build if dry enough (pending local unit review).
Menominee/ Lake Twp./$20,500.00/ 20 acres/(T35N, R28W) Section 2 -W1/2 of the SW1/4 of theSW1/4 AA
The subject property is landlocked (no road access) and located northeast of the County Road 356 and Lake Longrie Road intersection, 9 miles northwest of Stephenson, MI. The subject property is 20 acres and has 4 adjacent private landowners. The subject property is composed of well drained loamy sand soils with rolling terrain. The property is zoned AG – Agricultural, which requires at least 20 acres and 250 ft of width to build. Since the property is 1,320 ft X 660 ft, the parcel will likely meet zoning to build once legal road access is secured (pending local unit review). Property was recently logged and is mostly clear of timber today.
Menominee/ Lake Twp./$75,000.00/ 80 acres/(T35N, R28W) Section 21 – E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 AA
The subject property is landlocked (no road access) and located northeast of the County Road G 12 and Church Road 19.25 intersection, 9 miles west of Stephenson, MI. The subject property is 80 acres and has 6 adjacent private landowners. The SE and northern parts of the property is composed of poorly drained mucky peat soils. The center of the property is composed of well drained fine sandy loam soils (i.e., drumlin). The property is zoned FM – Forest Management, which requires at least 40 acres and 1,200 ft of width to build. Since the property is 1,320 ft X 2,640 ft, the parcel will likely meet zoning to build once legal road access is secured (pending local unit review).
Menominee/ Spalding Twp./$1,000.00 /6.4 acres/(T40N, R26W) Section 12 – A parcel of land in SW1/4 of the SW1/4 100 ft. wide being parallel with and adjacent to the E’ly bank of 10 mile creek, also a strip of land 100 feet wide being parallel with and adjacent to the westerly bank of Ten Mile creek. AA
The subject property is in Spalding Township and consists of a strip of land 200 ft wide with Ten Mile Creek flowing through the center of it. The parcel is located southeast of S Gaber Road and M-69 intersection, about 8 miles northwest of Perronville, MI. The property is surrounded by 1 private landowner and does not have legal road access to S Gaber Road (i.e., landlocked). A private road easement would be needed from the surrounding private owner to obtain legal road access.
The area consists of primarily poorly drained muck soils. Menominee County does not have a tax-id associated with the parcel. That being said, the surrounding landowner 013-412-011-00 (ZELINSKI) does have our legal omitted from their legal desc. Should look into a direct sale with ZELINSKI.
DNR PARCELS CURRENTLY ON SALE HOUGHTON COUNTY (2)
Portage Twp./ $1,000.00 /0.68 acre
Superior City Subdivision: Block E – Lots 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 AA
The subject is zoned RUR Rural Residential and consists of forested property east of M-26, about 4 miles south of Houghton, MI. Superior City Subdivision is platted in the NW ¼ of Section 15. The property has access to a platted county road that comes from the northwest (to M-26). There is a two-track road that currently goes to the platted area, but legal access to the area is unknown. Houghton County does not have this twotrack labeled as county maintained.
The parcel is currently surrounded by private landowners with a platted road that leads to the platted county road mentioned prior. The property has flat relief which has poorly drained soils (~4 inches of muck on top of sand). The subject parcel is too small to meet local zoning regulations to build as a standalone site. Local zoning requires a minimum of 1 acre with 125 feet of road frontage. Property dimensions are 298′ (east-west) X 100′ (north-south).
Houghton /Torch Lake Twp./ $84,500.00/ 18.5 acres
(T55N, R32W) Section 29 – W 520 ft of S 250 ft of NW1/4 of the NW1/4 ALSO Government Lots 1 and 2 excluding E 800 ft AA
The subject property is zoned Forest District (likely Rural Residential when private) and consist of vacant land along Torch Lake Bay. The property is located about 5.5 miles south of Lake Linden. More specifically the property is located west of Bootjack Road, south of the Mud Lake Road intersection. The property is legally accessible via Torch Lake Bay but does not have road access. There are 5 adjacent private landowners to the east of the parcel.
There is adjacent State of Michigan land lying adjacent to the northwest that is being retained. The parcel has flat relief with wet muck soils. The property has around 3,000 front feet along Torch Lake Bay. The State of MI does not own the mineral rights to the propertY.
DNR LAND CURRENTLY FOR SALE MACKINAC COUNTY (1)
Mackinac /Bois Blanc Twp./$5,625.00 /2.1 acres Fruitland Subdivision: Block 17: Lots 9 to 18 and Lots 35 to 42 AA, MIN Located on the north side of Erie Street, NW of the Erie Street and Huron Road intersection, Forested.
DNR PARCELS CURRENTLY ON SALE CHIPPEWA COUNTY (5)
Chippewa /City of SaultSte. Marie$560.00 /0.03 acre
Hall’s Addition to Sault Ste Marie Subdivision: Block 3: That part of Lot 1 to 4 lying South of Ry. right of way AA
Small triangular forested parcel on the east side of Oak Street – north of 10th Ave. Zoned R-1 One-Family Residential and is too small to meet local zoning to build as a standalone parcel. 10016 352264 051-406-009-00
Chippewa /City of Sault Ste. Marie $560.00 /0.03 acre
Hall’s Addition to Sault Ste Marie Subdivision: Block 6: Lots 9 to 19 lying S of RR r/w AA
Small triangular parcel on the east side of Oak Street, south of 10th Ave. Zoned R-1 One-Family Residential and is too small to meet local zoning to build as a standalone parcel. Currently being used as a driveway and side-yard for a private adjacent landowner. 10017 353700 Part of 051-812-012-00
Chippewa /City of SaultSte. Marie/$3,600.00 /0.45 acre
A.B. Wilgus Addition to Sault Ste Marie Subdivision, Block 12: Lots 12 to 15 AA
Frontage on both E 11th Street and E 13th Ave. (located at the NE corner of this intersection); Forested; Property Dimensions 124′ (north-south) X 160′ (eastwest) 10018 353701 Part of 051-812-012-00
Chippewa / City of Sault Ste. Marie/$4,500.00 /0.56 acre
A.B. Wilgus Addition to Sault Ste Marie Subdivision, Block 12: Lots 16 to 20 AA
Frontage on both E 11th Street and E 13th Ave. (located at the SE corner of this intersection); Forested; Property Dimensions 124′ (north-south) X 200′ (east-west)
Chippewa /Pickford Twp./ $9,000.00 /1.6 acres
(T44N, R01E) Section 10 -That part of SE1/4 Sec. 10 lying S of Munoscong River des. as beg. on S’ly line of Sec. 10, 40 rods E of 1/4 line in said Sec. 10; th N to river; th SE’ly along said river to intersection with S line of said section; th W along said section line to place of beginning AA.
The subject property is zoned Rural Residential and consists of vacant property on the Munuscong River, near the E Big Rock ROW, east of the S Riverside Drive intersection. More specifically, the subject is located about 7.5 miles northeast of Pickford, MI. The subject may have road access via the adjacent platted subdivision road known as the “E Big Rock ROW”.
Currently this road is used for access off S Riverside Drive for private landowners living in the adjacent subdivision. A private landowner has built a shed at the end of this ROW making access even more questionable. The gift deed to the State of Michigan listed some limitations on future land use of the subject. Buyers will have to comply with the following deeded language:
1) That the said premises shall be perpetually maintained by the said party (i.e., the State of MI) of the second part as a public park for the free use of the general public without discrimination,
2) That the said premises shall be perpetually names Dodge Brothers Munoskong State Park,
3) That no spiritous liquor or other intoxicating drinks shall ever be sold on the said premises or any part thereof by second party hereto or by any person or persons, firms or corporation under or by virtue of any franchise, license, grant or permission of said second party.
DNR PARCELS FOR SALE ONTONAGON COUNTY (1)
Ontonagon /McMillan Twp./ $2,250.00 /2 acres (T47N, R40W) Section 5 –
A parcel of land in the Southeast Quarter (SE ¼) of the Northeast Quarter (NE ¼) of Section Five (5), T47NR40W, McMillian Township, Ontonagon County, State of Michigan, and more particularly described as commencing at the Northeast Corner of said Section 5, corner being monumented with a 3-1/4” aluminum capped rod; thence along the East line of said Section 5 and the centerline of South Fair Oaks Road, S01D27’56”W, 1837.68 feet to the Point of Beginning; thence continuing along the East line of said Section 5 and the centerline of South Fair Oaks Road, S01D27’56”W, 295.16 feet; thence at right angles N88D32’04”W, 33.00 feet to a 1” I.D. capped iron pipe AA.
The subject property is a 2-acre parcel that is surrounded by State of Michigan land. There is an abandoned home on the property that is in poor condition. The State of Michigan intends to exchange the surrounding property to the US Forest Service in the future. The sale parcel is located on the west side of S Fair Oaks Road, south of the 10 Mile Road intersection, about 5 miles southwest of Ewen, MI. The property consists of moderately well drained silt loam soils.
According to McMillian Township staff, the parcel is zoned Agricultural. Interested buyers should contact the local unit regarding building plans if interested in constructing a new building or improving the structure on the parcel. The State of Michigan acquired the property in 1988 via tax reversion.
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