Established in 1992, the Fumee Lake Natural Area has over 1800 acres used in a wide variety of non-motorized activities.  The Fumee Lake Natural Area was formed when 80% of Dickinson County voters favored a bonding proposal for the acquisition of Fumee Lake for its "use and preservation as a Natural Area". 

One of the area’s greatest attributes is its location.  A few minutes off U.S. 2 west of Norway and east of Quinnesec, it lies within five miles of Dickinson County’s most populated metro areas, a fact that a visitor is not able to detect due to the sheltering of the surrounding hills. 

The Fumee Lake Natural Area has a number of unique features.  Fumee Lake and Little Fumee Lake provide a total of five miles of undeveloped shoreline. In addition to numerous wetlands, 507 acres of surface water holds a fishery deemed "very remarkable and unique" by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The area has historically been home to a number of  rare or threatened species including the Bald Eagle, Common Loon, and seventeen species of orchids.  Three plants on Michigan's Threatened Species list are found here: Walking Fern, Purple Cliff-brake and Marsh Grass of Parnassus.

The Fumee Lake Natural Area is used by educators to teach students about ecology. A number of non-motorized recreational opportunities await its visitors. Hiking, biking, bird watching, and nature photography in the spring, summer, and fall; Cross country skiing and snow shoeing in the winter months. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this four-season natural area.