Hemlock Grove Spring

## Overview Hemlock Grove Spring is a natural, continuously flowing public drinking spring nestled within the Port Huron State Game Area in St. Clair County, Michigan. The spring sits in the heart of a striking old-growth hemlock forest — while the hemlock groves themselves are relatively compact in area, the individual trees are impressively large, towering alongside other mature vegetation to create a lush, cathedral-like canopy. The surrounding woodland makes this one of the more scenic and atmospheric spring sites in Michigan's Thumb region. The water emerges naturally from the ground and has been reported to be ice cold year-round, with a measured pH of approximately 7.0 (neutral). Visitors have noted that the water has low mineral content, giving it a clean, crisp taste. The spring flows continuously, so water is available in all seasons. ## Directions The spring is located within the Port Huron State Game Area, near the intersection of Ford Road and Spruce Road. Here's how to find it: 1. Head to the area around **4757 Ford Road, North Street, MI 48049** as a general starting point. 2. Look for the clearing where the **old DNR (Department of Natural Resources) headquarters** once stood. 3. The spring is located **behind (north of) this clearing**. 4. The clearing sits due north from **Spruce Road**, which has been abandoned and now resembles a trail, and an **abandoned section of Ford Road**. 5. Follow the old trail-like path of Spruce Road northward toward the clearing — the spring is just beyond it, within the hemlock grove. **Note:** Because the roads in this area have been abandoned and reverted to trail-like paths, GPS coordinates (43.045278, -82.600189) may be more reliable than road-based navigation for the final approach. The terrain is walkable but not maintained as a formal trail. ## What to Expect Hemlock Grove Spring is a remote, natural site within a state game area — expect a rustic, undeveloped setting with no facilities. The spring flows continuously from the ground in a forested clearing surrounded by towering old-growth hemlock trees. The forest floor and surrounding vegetation are lush, and the atmosphere is quiet and secluded. The water is ice cold and has been reported to have very low mineral content with a neutral pH of around 7.0. Several visitors have noted the exceptional purity and taste of the water, and some have reported extracting significant quantities of ORMUS (Orbitally Rearranged Monoatomic Elements) from this source — reportedly more than from any other spring they've tested. Because the access roads (Spruce Road and a section of Ford Road) have been abandoned, reaching the spring involves walking along overgrown former roadbeds that now function as informal trails. The area is publicly accessible as part of the Port Huron State Game Area, but visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and limited signage. During hunting seasons, wearing blaze orange is strongly recommended when visiting any Michigan state game area.