Have you heard the tale of the highwayman Sile Doty? Well, settle in cause I'm gonna tell you about it - along with one of my favorite hidden nature discoveries in Michigan: Doty Cave. This storied cave can be found in the Lost Nations Game Area in Hillsdale County, Michigan.

Hillsdale County is ripe with both history and hidden nature spots. When you visit Doty Cave, we recommend also stopping by McCourtie Park in Somerset Township, only 15 miles away! Another piece of Mitten State history, McCourtie Park is home to the former estate of cement tycoon William H.L. "Herb" McCourtie. The standouts at this park are the bridges - there are 17 of them, each created by artists and cement workers.

Y'all aren't here to learn about an old estate, though, are you? You're here to hear the tale of Doty Cave. Well, first, take a look at it:

Doesn't look like much, does it? Well, Doty Cave happens to be one of the very few caves located in Michigan's lower peninsula. Even though the entrance looks tiny, rumor has it that when he was on the run from the law, Sile Doty hid all of his loot in this cave - including horses!

Let me give you a bit of background on Slie Doty before waxing poetic about his cave - and the gorgeous winding path you take to get to it. The light through these trees is simply breathtaking, isn't it?

The namesake of Doty Cave was Sile Doty, a man who used his blacksmithing skills to create the tools he needed to become a criminal. It wasn't only skeleton keys and other burglary tools that Sile Doty used in his criminal career - he was also known for crafting disguises and passing counterfeit money.

However, Sile Doty rarely, if ever, resorted to violent means. I mean, how could you with views this gorgeous all around you?

When he did employ violence in his criminal activities, Sile Doty's weapon of choice was brass knuckles, which I'm guessing he probably also made himself. Enough about the namesake, let's talk about the gorgeous trek to reach Doty Cave, one of my new favorite hidden nature spots in Michigan.

Doty Cave is located along an almost 3-mile out-and-back trail located in the Lost Nations State Game Area. Those who have made the trek themselves say it's an easy trail and should take no more than 90 minutes.

Filled with wildflowers, the hike to Doty Cave provides visitors with a wide variety of views, including a clear stream, lush woods, and even a small open meadow!

The hill to get to the cave is probably the steepest portion of this hidden nature hike in Michigan. It's all worth it, though, once you spot the cave.

It looks impossible to fit a horse in this cave, doesn't it? And you'd be correct - there was once a larger cave nearby that was destroyed to keep Sile Doty from exactly that - storing his horses!

Though the current entrance to the cave is smaller nowadays, brave visitors can still slither into the cave, where they will find two small rooms.

A word of warning to those planning to visit in wet or icy weather though. Visitors report that the path to the cave can get quite slippery.

Some folks say the cave and surrounding areas may be haunted. Reports of larger-than-human footprints leading to the entrance of the cave have started some Bigfoot legends as well.

If you're not scared by a few scary stories, there are some camping sites nearby as well. Just keep your ears open for the sounds of horses...

Doty Cave can be accessed via the North Country Trail in the Lost Nation State Game Area. This hidden nature find in Michigan is one you'll be telling your friends about - especially if they're history buffs like me! In case you didn't know -Michigan is a state ripe with surprising history - check out some of our favorites here. And if you want to keep the history party going, check out this book all about Michigan history!