Millie Hill Trails and Bat Cave in Iron Mountain, Michigan, has great views all year long!

Located just east of Iron Mountain, the Millie Mine Bat Cave is home to one of the largest bay colonies in North America. This abandoned vertical iron mine can house up to one million bats! The mine shaft is covered with a special grate to keep people safe but allows the bats to come in and out freely. There are a few self-guided interpretation boards to educate visitors on the benefits of bats and the ecosystem. This is a really neat experience when you come at the right time. The best times to visit are around dusk during early spring, April/May, and early fall, Sept/Oct, when the bats are coming in or out of hibernation. You won't see the bats any other time of year. 

But, don't be disappointed if you can't visit during the bat hibernation season! There are still beautiful scenic views to see and great areas to explore here. Take a short walk down the trail to the Samuel Bassett Viewing Platform to get a nice view of the city of Iron Mountain. There is a picnic table here to enjoy a snack or meal. Several other trails range from 0.25 miles to 2 miles total. The two-mile loop is the Ton-O-Cliffs/Ascension, which is a winding trail throughout the park area. All of these trails can be used for both hiking and biking. There is a trail map at the beginning, so take a picture before heading out, or you can also find it on the website. 

Millie Hill is one spot you will want to add to your list and mark your calendar for bat season, so you don't miss it.