A private group of four islands covering 520 acres along the US-Canada border has been listed for $2.3 million. The large estate combines private wilderness with permanent conservation protections and offers about 2,000 feet of waterfront along northern Michigan’s international water boundary.
Located in Potagannissing Bay and the St Marys River near Drummond Island, the property includes Burnt Island, Wilson Island, Claw Island and Harris Island, according to the New York Post and listing brokers Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors and @properties. The sale includes a renovated home, machinery, two boats and a mainland dock slip. Burnt Island makes up most of the property and contains the main home and other facilities. Wilson, Claw and Harris Islands form a smaller group nearby.
The main home sits on the southern tip of Burnt Island and offers 270-degree views of the surrounding waterways and shipping lanes. Originally built as an island retreat, the 2,131-square-foot house was fully renovated inside and outside between 2017 and 2018. The property’s two main docks and protective breakwalls were rebuilt between 2022 and 2023. One of the main features of the 520-acre property is the balance between private use and long-term environmental protection. About 420 acres across the four islands are covered by a permanent conservation easement held by the Little Traverse Conservancy, a regional land trust in northern Michigan. The owner still has about 100 acres of unrestricted land around the home, outbuildings and shorelines for private recreation and personal use.
“If you have ever dreamed of owning your own island, here’s your chance to own four!” the listing from Gaslight Group Properties and Coldwell Banker says. “Most of the 520 acres is protected by a conservation easement with Little Traverse Conservancy but about 100 of the acres and the shorelines are yours to explore,” according to the official Northern Michigan MLS listing. The home has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. It is being sold turnkey, with furnishings and working equipment included in the sale. “Set along the picturesque northern border in the St Mary’s River & Potagannissing Bay, this group of islands is truly special. The sale also includes a utility truck, a Kubota tractor with a brush hog attachment, a riding lawn mower, a separate sauna building and two motorboats to help with maintenance and travel between the islands. The sale also comes with a dedicated boat slip at DeTour Village on the Michigan mainland, providing regular access to the islands. The easement prevents future commercial subdivision and major construction, helping protect native forests and wildlife habitats. The islands feature private walking trails, wild fruit orchards with apple and crabapple trees, milkweed meadows and quiet coves. Wildlife commonly seen on the islands and nearby waters includes bald eagles, sandhill cranes, red foxes, otters, beavers, coyotes and white-tailed deer. The waters around Potagannissing Bay are also an established fishing area, supporting native populations of walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and cisco.