Address: 2050 Dhu Varren Road, Ann Arbor MI 48105
Hours and Rules
Open 6 a.m.-midnight with quiet hours beginning at 10 p.m. Unless otherwise posted per City Council resolution, when a park is closed, no person shall remain in or enter it other than to quietly sit or walk. Refer to Chapter 39 of the City of Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances for park regulations and rules. Smoking is prohibited, and dogs must be on leash.
Overview
Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area is a 13.58-acre park
located off Dhu Varren Road on the city’s north side. View the Ann Arbor Parks and Nature Areas map for location context. The ecosystem consists of
woodland, wetland and shrubland. Glaciers once melted here, depositing the
gravel and other rock that form the hills. The Traver Creek watershed extends
in to this park. In the woods, a hiker can find beech and maple and the more
typical oak and hickory trees. The woods for the most part are open, and a
trail circles the park. There is also a small wetland that connects to the
Foxfire South Park wetland area. This wetland generally keeps visitors from
crossing between the two nature areas.
American toads, spring peeper frogs, and pileated woodpeckers have been observed in the park. Native plants of note include sedge, whorled loosestrife, shrubby cinquefoil, pawpaw, rue anemone, flowering dogwood, small fringed gentian, sharp-fruited rush and northern bog violet. The not-so-common black maple may be found down by the creek. Bitternut and shagbark hickories abound at the tops of the hills.
Access and Parking
Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area can be accessed via a trailhead entrance located on the south side of Dhu Varren Road, across the street from Birchwood Drive. There is street parking on Birchwood.
The park can be accessed on foot from the neighborhood across Dhu Varren. There is no sidewalk along Dhu Varren. There are bike lanes along most of Dhu Varren near the park. There are no bike racks at the park.
The park is close (within a mile) to several other parks and nature areas, including Placid Way Park, Foxfire East Park, Foxfire West Park, Buttonbush Nature Area, Foxfire North Park and Olson Park.
Public Transit: The nearest bus stop is on Dhu Varren Road, immediately across the street from the park's entrance. Visit The Ride for closest stops and route details or check out the parks ride guide.
Amenities
Volunteer
There are ongoing and limitless opportunities for volunteering and getting engaged with the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services Unit. Natural Area Preservation has volunteer opportunities that support their mission to protect and restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic among within the community. If you are feeling the call to volunteer or give some time, reach out or explore the website above to see what’s upcoming or how to get involved.
Report a Problem - A2 Fix It
To report any maintenance issues or other problem during your park visit, please report through A2Fix It. When reporting an issue in a park please include location details. There is a details and description section near the end of the request process to help you provide this. In addition, users can utilize the pin (website) or X (mobile app) feature to provide specific location information inside the park. Finally, please consider including a wide angle photo or include background landmarks, which helps staff find and fix the problem.
Gifts and Donations
Information on donating to the parks and the Guide to Giving can be found here. For special projects ideas in natural areas, Natural Area Preservation staff will guide you and provide project guidelines unique to natural areas.
History
The land that comprises Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area and Traver Creek Nature Area was annexed by the City of Ann Arbor from Ann Arbor Township in 1993, after the two properties were bought by the city. The two properties were known as the Sias Properties. The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund provided a grant of $292,259 toward the purchase price of $584,518.
Read an article from a Natural Area Preservation newsletter highlighting Dhu Varren Woods and the glacial topography of the area:
2011 A Winter Recitation: Dhu Varren Woods Nature Area by Rob Schubert
Updated July 2022. Email [email protected] for incorrect/outdated information.
