From abandoned slope to natural sanctuary: Sugar Loaf opens a vibrant new chapter in Northern Michigan

For years, community members, outdoor enthusiasts, and residents of Northern Michigan have awaited the fate of one of the region’s most iconic landmarks. 

Now, that long period of anticipation is officially coming to a joyful conclusion: Sugar Loaf Scenic Area is opening to the public.

To mark this historic milestone, the Leelanau Conservancy is hosting a grand opening celebration on Friday, October 9, at the Sugar Loaf Scenic Area. Attendees will have the opportunity to be among the first to explore the brand-new Summit Trail and take in 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, and chat with conservancy staff.

This achievement represents far more than just the opening of a local or regional park; it signifies the permanent conservation of a cherished 285-acre property that holds deep connections for many in the region and beyond.

For decades, Sugar Loaf drew generations of families to its slopes. When commercial operations ceased in 2000, the property fell into disrepair, leaving its long-term future uncertain. For nearly a quarter-century, many wondered if its sweeping vistas and forested hillsides would ever be open to the public again. 

The path toward permanent public access began through a historic effort spearheaded by the Leelanau Conservancy. The effort to preserve Sugar Loaf is part of a much larger initiative by the organizcation.

The Broader Vision: The $75 Million Campaign

The acquisition of Sugar Loaf was accelerated by the Leelanau Conservancy’s most ambitious fundraising effort to date: a comprehensive $75 million campaign—Leelanau, Protected: A Campaign for Today and Tomorrow—aimed at protecting local land, water, and wildlife across the entire peninsula. 

• The Quiet Phase: Following a strategic, science-based conservation plan mapped out between 2018 and 2019 to identify the highest-priority watersheds, wildlife habitats, and agricultural lands, the Conservancy quietly launched the campaign in 2023. By engaging close, long-term supporters, the quiet phase successfully raised an incredible $66 million.
• The Remaining Goal: With $66 million secured, the Conservancy entered the public phase earlier this year to raise the remaining $9 million, targeting completion by the end of 2027.
• Beyond Sugar Loaf: Funding from this campaign does not just steward Sugar Loaf; it fuels major regional initiatives like the preservation of the 184-acre Suttons Bay Forest project and other stewardship efforts.

While a $75 million goal is monumental for the region, Nelson notes that periodic capital campaigns are a natural lifecycle for non-profits with expensive, high-stakes missions. 

“Grand Traverse Land Conservancy and others around the nation—these campaigns are going all the time,” explains Tom Nelson, executive director of the Leelanau Conservancy, recalling the organization’s own 2009 campaign that raised $21 million to protect local farmland and natural space.

However, the urgency of this specific campaign has never been higher, catalyzed by a post-COVID building and real estate boom in Northern Michigan.

“It’s never been more urgent to protect the most special places in Leelanau County,” Nelson says. “We are experiencing a red-hot real estate market. We are actively competing in the marketplace to protect these spaces. We aren’t anti-development, but we believe in development that is well-planned and doesn’t fragment our agricultural heritage, wildlife corridors, or watersheds.”

Turning a “Blank Slate” into a Sanctuary

The opportunity to preserve Sugar Loaf materialized in mid-2025, when the property’s owner—revealed to be a subsidiary of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation—offered a conditional gift agreement: they would donate the land entirely if the Leelanau Consernvacy could raise $8 million to steward and develop it. 

The community’s response to the $8 million challenge was unprecedented. Propelled by extraordinary momentum and supported by more than 1,100 donors giving gifts of all sizes, the funds were raised in just two months.

Under the permanent stewardship of the Leelanau Conservancy, Sugar Loaf transitions from a place of long-standing uncertainty into a protected natural sanctuary where wildlife can thrive and future generations can connect with nature. 

The grand opening celebration and the unveiling of the Summit Trail mark the completion of the acquisition phase and the beginning of a multi-year, multi-phase transformation.

The conservancy’s comprehensive, long-term vision for Sugar Loaf includes the creation of a multi-use trail network tailored to support diverse forms of year-round outdoor recreation. In the spring, summer, and fall, visitors can look forward to hiking and mountain biking. During the winter, the snowy terrain will become a haven for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and backcountry skiing, honoring the mountain’s winter sports legacy. 

The space is being designed with everyone in mind, making sure that visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and physical abilities can comfortably experience Sugar Loaf. Thoughtfully placed scenic overlooks will offer sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding peninsula. 

At the same time, the conservancy is working hard to restore the property. Decades of heavy public use and neglect have left the property hurting from worn-out soil, spreading invasive weeds, and broken-up wildlife habitats. 

The long-term plan focuses on restoring forest health, protecting local wildlife, and using smart trail design to prevent soil erosion and water runoff. By balancing outdoor recreation with strict environmental care, the project ensures visitors can enjoy the land without harming the local ecosystem. 

“The Leelanau Conservancy has a vision that goes beyond saving this iconic landscape,” Nelson says. “We see a place where conservation and community thrive together… where everyone can visit and enjoy the wonder of Leelanau’s beauty.” 

If You Go:

The Leelanau Conservancy will hold a grand opening celebration from 5 p.m. to dusk Friday, October 9, at the Sugar Loaf Scenic Area 4500 S. Sugar Loaf Mountain Road, Cedar. RSVP here.