Grand Traverse Conservation District Hosts Blood Moon Lantern-Lit Hike at Hickory Meadows

Grand Traverse Conservation District is hosting a Blood Moon Lantern-Lit Hike at Hickory Meadows Natural Area in Traverse City, running from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 to coincide with a total lunar eclipse that the GTCD event page describes as casting the moon “in a deep red glow.” The event is presented by GTCD as a quiet, after-dark experience for adults and families and is billed as a self-guided, lantern-lit walk.

Attendees are asked to meet at the Randolph Trailhead on Randolph Street in Traverse City, MI 49684; registration is required through the GTCD events page. The hike costs $5 per person and is free for ages 12 and under, details listed consistently across local event calendars and coverage including Northern Express, Traversecity, and Traverseticker. Northern Express noted the event in an item by Jamie Kauffold published Feb. 28, 2026.

GTCD’s event description invites participants to “join GTCD at Hickory Meadows for a quiet, lantern-lit, self-guided hike under the striking beauty of the Blood Moon - a total lunar eclipse that casts the moon in a deep red glow. As winter begins to give way to spring, experience the mystery and stillness of nature after dark.” An Instagram promotional caption accompanying the listing echoed that tone: “Step into the quiet beauty of Hickory Meadows after dark for a peaceful, lantern-lit, self-guided hike beneath the rare glow of a Blood Moon.”

Public-health and access considerations are notable given the event’s structure and timing. The GTCD listings and local calendar notices specify the time, meeting point, fee structure, and that the hike is self-guided; none of the published event excerpts spell out whether lanterns will be provided, whether volunteers or staff will be stationed along the Randolph Trailhead route, or what accessibility accommodations are available for people using wheelchairs or with mobility limitations. The $5-per-person fee, while waived for children 12 and under, may pose a modest barrier for some families on tight budgets; organizers also referenced “local partners” in an initial report but did not name partner groups in published listings.

Local calendars caution that listings can change. As Traversecity’s event page states, “All events are subject to change without notice. Please check the event website for the most updated information.” Residents planning to attend should register in advance via the GTCD events page and review that page for any updates on lantern policy, trail conditions, parking at the Randolph Trailhead, and accessibility before traveling to Hickory Meadows on March 3.