Michigan State Parks
- Listed: December 5, 2019 6:08 pm
Description
Considered by many to be one of upper Michigan’s most
picturesque waterfalls, Agate Falls is located on the middle branch of the
Ontonagon River. Located off of M-28 in the Ottawa National Forest in the Upper
Peninsula.
Algonac State Park’s major attraction is viewing
freighters of the world along the one half mile of St. Clair River frontage.
Algonac is also home to rare habitats, the lake plain prairies and oak savannas
that provide places to view prairie plants, wildlife and butterflies.
GPS Users please use this address to navigate to
the park: 8970 River Rd., Clay Twp., MI 48001.
Aloha State Park offers modern camping on beautiful
Mullett Lake. Campsites are located near the park’s boat launch for those
boating or paddling this route. The park is close to the Straits of Mackinaw –
a popular travel destination. The park is 5 miles south of Cheboygan via M-33,
just one mile west via M-212.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area is home to some of the
steepest hills and most rugged terrain in southeastern Michigan. Camping is
limited to rustic cabins, but the extensive trails, inland lakes, trout streams
and wild game provide year-round recreation opportunities.
Baraga State Park overlooks scenic Keweenaw Bay of Lake
Superior. Camping is available at 113 grassy sites or in the park’s minicabin
or tepee. ORV riding, fishing, hiking, kayaking and boating are among the many
activities of this park.
Lake Hudson Recreation Area offers premier muskie
fishing, game hunting, swimming, boating, camping and much more. Lake Hudson
has been designated a dark sky preserve for observation of the nighttime sky.
Lakeport State Park located on Lake Huron with two
distinct units separated by the village of Lakeport. A total of 250 sites are
divided between the two campgrounds. I-94 east to M-25 north, 15 miles north,
entrance on the east side of M-25.
Laughing
Whitefish Falls State Park
Laughing Whitefish Falls is one of the Upper Peninsula’s
many impressive waterfalls featuring a picnic area, three observation decks and
2.5 miles foot trails.
Leelanau State Park, located at the tip of the little
finger on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula, has more than 1519 acres waiting
for visitors to explore. The park showcases the Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Museum, a rustic campground, three mini cabins, 8.5 miles of hiking/skiing
trails and a picnic area with a pavilion.
Lime
Island State Recreation Area
The park encompasses the 932-acre island – in the St.
Marys River about two miles from the eastern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
– plus just about six and one-half acres on the mainland in the community of
Raber. Visitors to the island must charter or navigate a boat more than 2 miles
across the St. Marys River.
Bass River Recreation Area, a 1,665-acre site, consists
of open meadows, open brush land, mature hardwoods, small ponds and 300-acre
Max Lake. It has approximately three miles of frontage on the Grand River. The
park is used primarily for boating, hiking, mountain biking and horse back
riding.
Bay City State Park has one of the largest remaining
freshwater, coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, the Tobico Marsh. More than a
thousand feet of sandy beach and over 2,000 acres of wetland woods, wet
meadows, cattail marshlands and oak savannah prairies make it an ideal staging
area for migratory birds. Visit
the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center
Rich with history and natural beauty, Belle Isle Park is
a Detroit gem and became Michigan’s 102nd State Park in 2014 as part of a lease
agreement with the City of Detroit. This 982-acre island park is situated on
the Detroit River between the United States and Canada. It is home to a wide
assortment of educational and recreational opportunities, including an
aquarium, conservatory and the James Scott Memorial Fountain and much more.
A 129-site campground is situated in a shady, wooded site
with buffer strips between most of the sites. Bewabic has picnic areas, a
tennis court, a hiking trail, two playgrounds, an excellent beach and a boat
launch to Fortune Lake. It is also part of the Iron County Heritage Trail
system.
Four miles west of Crystal Falls on US-2.
Bond Falls is a scenic waterfall created as the middle
branch of the Ontonagon river tumbles over a thick belt of fractured rock,
dividing it into numerous small cascades. Roadside parking and picnic tables
are available near the top of the falls. An accessible boardwalk with six
viewing locations.
The park is home to three campgrounds, sandy beaches,
scenic sand dunes, an iconic lighthouse, wetlands, marshlands and forests. The
park is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of
beautiful shoreline along both lakes.
Mackinac
Island and Fort Mackinac Historic Park
Historic Mackinac Island is punctuated by distinctive
stone formations like Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf. Footpaths crisscross its 1,800
acres. A road circles the island for walkers, bicyclists and horse-drawn
vehicles.
Built in 1780, Fort Mackinac is Michigan’s only
revolutionary war-era fort. The island is accessible by ferry from Mackinaw
City and St. Ignace.
Maybury State Park Contains almost 1,000 acres of gently
rolling terrain, open meadow, mature forest, a variety of wildlife and abundant
wildflowers, the park gives people an opportunity to get involved in outdoor
recreation activities in a state park setting.
McLain State Park offers two miles of sand beach on Lake
Superior. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of activities in the park: fishing,
windsurfing, berry picking, beachcombing, sight-seeing and hunting. The sunsets
at McLain State Park are spectacular and the view of the lighthouse is
magnificent.
Charles Mears State Park is located in the quaint village
of Pentwater along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Paved campsite lots are
surrounded by fine sand and a swimming beach is adjacent to the harbor pier.
Brighton Recreation Area provides a combination of high,
irregular ranges of hills, interspersed with a number of attractive lakes. The
area has several miles of trails available for equestrian riding, mountain
biking, and hiking. The park is home to Brighton
Recreation Area Riding Stables.
Brimley State Park provides recreational opportunities
along the beautiful shore of Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay. One of the oldest
state parks in the Upper Peninsula, Brimley features hunting, fishing, boating,
camping and hiking.
From I-75 take exit 386 and come to M-28 heading west for
seven miles. Intersection of M-28 and M-221 turn right for two miles. Come to 6
Mile Road, turn right, go three-quarters mile to park entrance on left.
Burt Lake State Park is located on the southeast corner
of Burt Lake with 2,000 feet of sandy shoreline. Visitors are welcome to come
and enjoy camping, boating, fishing, sight-seeing and many more activities in
the beautiful area.
From I-75 take exit 310 turn west on M-68, then left at
light onto Old 27 Hwy. Park is a quarter mile south on right side.
Cambridge
Junction Historic State Park
Visitors can tour the site’s three historic buildings,
view exhibits about tourism and enjoy the natural landscape of the Irish Hills.
Cheboygan State Park has a system of well-marked trails
that provide access to scenic Lake Huron vistas and glimpses of rare
wildflowers. Visitors have their choice of lodging, with modern camping, rustic
cabins, tepees and a fully-furnished modern lodge. A carry-in boat launch is
located on Duncan Bay and fishing is available both on the bay and on Elliot
Creek.
Take I-75 to exit 326, go east straight through the town
of Cheboygan to US-23, continue three miles east of town to park entrance on
north side of the road.
Menominee
River State Recreation Area
The park encompasses nearly 10,000 acres of public land
along a 17-mile stretch of undeveloped river. This area is co-managed by the
states of Wisconsin and Michigan.
This unique park designates the spot where all township,
range and section measurements begin for the entire state of Michigan. It is
being preserved for its historic value. It is approximately a one and a half
mile round trip hike to view the monuments. Parking is located off Meridian
Road at the trailhead. There is currently no water or restroom facilities.
Metamora-Hadley
Recreation Area
Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area consists of 723 acres
with 80-acre Lake Minnewanna in the center Campers, hikers, boaters, anglers,
hunters, cross-country skiers and others enjoy a wide variety recreational
opportunities throughout the year. The park has a universally accessible
fishing pier.
Mike
Levine Lakelands Trail State Park
Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park is a 34-mile-long
linear trail that stretches between Ingham and Livingston counties and passes
through woods, pastures, picturesque wetlands and by the beautiful Huron River.
This multiple-use trail suitable for biking, walking, running and equestrian
use.
The management unit is Pinckney Recreation Area.
The park is a popular camping, fishing and boating
destination and is situated between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. A historic
canal connects the two lakes and runs directly through the park.
Located in elk country, Clear Lake State Park is a quiet,
secluded retreat offering a sandy beach and a shallow swimming area that is
ideal for children. The park encompasses two-thirds of the Clear Lake’s shoreline.
The fall season with the changing colors is an especially beautiful time to
view the area.
Ten miles north of Atlanta on M-33.
This is an undeveloped property with hunting access
allowed. The terrain is a mixture of swamp and farmland leading up to the lake.
From Old 27 take Copeland Road east at Kinderhook. About two and a half miles
east.
Colonial
Michilimackinac Historic State Park
Interpreters serve as guides for this 1700’s
reconstructed fur-trading village and military outpost and 1892 lighthouse. The
Mackinac State Historic Parks web site, includes more detailed information
about the park.
I-75 to exit 339, at south end of Mackinac Bridge.
Craig Lake State Park is the most remote state park in
the system. The park is home to walk-in campsites, yurts, rustic cabins,
trails, six lakes and a variety of wildlife such as deer, black bear, beaver,
loons and moose. Vehicles with high-ground clearance are recommended.
The park is located one mile west of Michigamme. Follow
signs on Craig Lake Road for eight miles.
The DNR Pocket Park is located on the Upper Peninsula
State Fairgrounds in Escanaba and open seasonally May through September. The
1-acre park features a fishing pond, archery and pellet gun ranges, a fire
tower, a waterfall and a dozen specialty gardens. It is open to the public
daily during the season, and by appointment, to host family gatherings,
picnics, youth organizations, school groups, sports associations, scouting
camp-outs, meetings and public events. There is no charge.
Muskallonge Lake State Park is situated between the
shores of Lake Superior and Muskallonge Lake and the area is well known for its
forests, lakes and streams. Muskallonge Lake State Park was the former site of,
a lumbering town and an Indian encampment.
Muskegon State Park is located along two miles of Lake
Michigan shoreline and one mile of Muskegon Lake shoreline. A luge run is
available at the Winter Sports Complex.
The park is located four miles west of North Muskegon.
Take US- 31 to the M-120 exit in North Muskegon and follow the signs to the
park.
The park is a rustic, undeveloped area open for hunting
and hiking. Please use caution when driving the sandy roads.
Newaygo State Park is a 99-site rustic campground and day
use area sitting atop 20-foot embankments overlooking the Hardy Dam Pond, a
six-mile flooding of the Muskegon River. The campground is noted for its large,
private sites and scenic beauty with a 20-30 foot forested buffer between sites.
North Higgins Lake is nestled on Higgins Lake located on what
was once the world’s largest seedling nursery. The park provides a variety of
tree, plant, bird and animal species that make the park attractive for outdoor
activities. Open all year for camping.
A sandy beach and a one-mile shoreline on Cass Lake makes
Dodge #4 State Park an excellent location for summer and winter activities. One
mile from Cass Elizabeth Road and Waterford Township.
Duck Lake State Park is a day-use park, featuring a
towering sand dune; the park stretches from the northern shore of Duck Lake to
Lake Michigan. Fishing, hiking, swimming and picnicking, are just some of the
activities in this beautiful park.
Take US-31, exit Whitelake Drive and follow signs to
entrance.
Father
Marquette National Memorial
The Father Marquette National Memorial honors the Jesuit
priest who established Michigan’s first permanent settlement. Visitors will
enjoy an outdoor interpretive trail, picnicking and a panoramic view of the
Mackinac Bridge. It is located in Straits State Park in St. Ignace, just west of I-75 off US 2.
Visit Fayette Historic State Park, which surrounds Snail Shell Harbor in Lake Michigan. Arrive by car or boat and
explore the carefully restored historic structures in the park’s Historic
Townsite. Visitors can experience cliff-side hikes, hammock camp in the park’s
campground or just soak up the tranquility that only the Garden Peninsula
provides.
Fisherman’s Island State Park boasts over six miles of
unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline. The island in which the park was named no
longer exists. Due to years of lower water levels in Lake Michigan the island
has become a peninsula now lush with native wildflowers. There are 80 rustic
campsites with 15 of those nestled in the dune area along the Lake Michigan
shoreline.
Onaway State Park on the beautiful Black Lake has rugged
but picturesque land, including sand cobblestone beaches, large unique rock
out-croppings and a diverse variety of trees a three-mile nature trail. The
campground is set among virgin white pines and offers solitude, serenity and
family fun.
Six miles north of Onaway on Highway M-211.
Orchard Beach State Park is situated on a bluff
overlooking Lake Michigan. A stairway leads from the campground to the beach
and self-guided hiking trails are adjacent to the park.
Take US-31 to M-110 turn north and go one and and half miles to park entrance.
Ortonville Recreation Area with 5,430 acres contains high
wooded hills and a wide range of recreational activities.
Otsego Lake State Park – located just south of Gaylord –
is home to more than a half mile of sandy beach, a campground, picnic area, a
boat launch and much more.
Located on Detroit’s Riverfront in the historic Globe
Building, the Outdoor Adventure Center brings “up north” downtown with
simulated outdoor recreation, hands-on activities, nature displays, exhibits
and much more.
Fort Custer State Recreation Area is a 3,033-acre park
located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. The park features three lakes, the
Kalamazoo River, a campground, a swimming beach, more than 25 miles of
multi-use trails and much more.
Fort
Wilkins Historic State Park
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park offers camping, day-use
facilities, a restored 1844 military outpost and one of the first lighthouses
on Lake Superior. Restoration work and development began in the 1930s. Costumed
interpreters demonstrate the history of the Keweenaw Peninsula fort.
One mile east of Copper Harbor on US-41.
Fred
Meijer White Pine Trail State Park
Take US-131 N to Post Dr., exit and turn right on Belmont
Road. Take Belmont Road to Rogue River Road and Park Entrance is on the left.
Grand Haven State Park has a beautiful sandy shore on
Lake Michigan along the west side of the park and the Grand River along the
north side of the park. The park consists entirely of beach sand and provides
scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Grand Haven pier and lighthouse.
I-94 to Exit 22, John Beers Road, south to Thornton Dr.,
to entrance.
Palms Book is home to one of Michigan’s alluring natural
attractions – Kitch-iti-kipi. Two hundred feet across and 40-feet deep
Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring. More than 10,000
gallons a minute gush from fissures in the underlying limestone at a constant
45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Petoskey State Park, located on the north end of Little
Traverse Bay, is situated on 303 scenic acres and offers a beautiful sandy
beach on the bay. The park has two separate modern campgrounds. Tannery Creek
Campground offers 100 campsites and Dunes Campground offers 80 campsites.
Bruin Lake Modern Campground is located at 21237 Kaiser
Rd. Gregory, MI 48137. The Silver Hill address is for the Pinckney Recreation
Area Headquarters.
Pinckney Recreation Area is a paradise for backpackers,
mountain bikers, anglers and other recreation enthusiasts. Pinckney is known
for its extensive trail system and chain of excellent fishing lakes. Over forty
miles of multi-use trail with remote campsites afford a backcountry experience.
Pinckney is also a short drive from the Gerald
E. Eddy Discovery Center in Waterloo Recreation Area.
No alcoholic beverages allowed in park April 1 – Sept.
30.
Pontiac Lake is a 3,700-acre park located in Oakland
County. The park features hiking, biking, equestrian trails, camping and more.
The park is home to the longest beach in southeast Michigan at just over a 1/2
mile.
Porcupine
Mountains Wilderness State Park
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (60,000 acres)
is one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Home to
towering old-growth hemlock-hardwood stands, roaring waterfalls and spectacular
sweeping vistas.
Visit
the Visitor Center just three miles west of Silver City on M-107.
Harrisville State Park is located along the sandy shores
of Lake Huron. The park is within walking distance of the resort town of
Harrisville and close to Sturgeon Point Lighthouse.
Hartwick Pines is rich in scenic beauty and different
habitats. The principal features of this park are the 49-acre forest of old
growth pines and logging museum.
Hayes State Park is located on Wamplers Lake in the heart
of the Irish Hills. The entrance to the park is located on US-12, just 9 miles
west of Clinton and 4 miles east of M-50. M-124 cuts directly through the
middle of the park.
Highland Recreation Area offers 5,900 acres of forest,
marshes and lakes in the rolling hills of Southern Michigan. With trails to
accommodate equestrian riders, mountain bikers, hikers and skiers, there’s an
activity for every season in this park.
Take US-23 to M-59, drive east 12 miles or I-75 to M-59,
drive west 14 miles. Main park entrance is on the south side of M-59, between
Bogie Lake Road and Ormand Road.
Historic
Mill Creek Discovery Park
This park offers an example of life in the 1700’s as the
industrial age began to alter saw mills across northern Michigan. The
Mackinac Island Historic Parks web site, includes more detailed
information.
The park is home to a dark sky preserve, three miles of
sandy shoreline, a modern campground and a boardwalk. It also offers visitors
ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing,
birding and hunting.
Proud Lake Recreation Area is located on the scenic Huron
River and offers diverse and plentiful recreational opportunities. More than 20
miles of trails cover several diverse habitats. It also offers the unique River
Hawk Lodge.
The park is a wilderness located located within the
AuSable State Fores. It’s a great destination for wildlife watching, hiking,
fishing and hunting.
Located on the shores of Lake Huron, north of Alpena, the
property includes a deep-water protected harbor, an old limestone quarry of
approximately 300 acres, a unique series of sinkholes, a dedicated Natural Area
(Besser Natural Area) and a broad range of land types, vegetative cover,
cultural resources and recreation opportunities.
Sanilac
Petroglyphs Historic State Park
Rock carvings, known as petroglyphs, etched into a
sandstone outcrop are a mystery. Yet they give us a glimpse into the lives of
early Native American artists.
Hoeft State Park is a heavily wooded park with a mile of
sandy, Lake Huron shoreline. A paved non-motorized trail connects the park to
Huron Sunrise Trail which stretches to Rogers City riding along the beach next
to Lake Huron and ends at the world’s largest open pit limestone mine.
Five miles north of Rogers City via US-23.
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park features over three miles of
Lake Michigan shoreline, a 297-site modern campground, towering Lake Michigan
dunes and the Gillette
Visitor Center. Miles of hiking and skiing trails offer stunning views of
Lake Michigan and subtle beauty at every turn.
Holland State Park is best known for sugar sand beaches,
beautiful sunsets and views of the iconic “Big Red” lighthouse. The
park is home to two popular beaches, campgrounds, concessions, a new playground
and connections to non-motorized trails.
The park, which is located within the northern portion of
Oakland County between Pontiac and Flint, is home to three lakes, a campground,
a boat launch and the Holly Woods Disc Golf Course and provides opportunities
for hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking and snowmobiling.
Indian Lake State Park is located on Indian Lake, the fourth
largest inland lake in the Upper Peninsula with an area of 8,400 acres. It is
six miles long and three miles wide. According to 1850 surveyor records, Native
Americans lived in log cabins near the outlet of the lake.
A day use park along a secluded strip of Lake Michigan
shoreline, Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers two and a half miles of shoreline.
The park has fresh water coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall. The park’s
terrain varies from steep slopes to rolling hills.
An endless variety of topography and ecosystems form the
area called Seven Lakes. Its land was a combination of farmland, rolling hills
and forests. About 230 acres of water with several miles of shoreline await the
park user. The dam, formed one large lake from seven small lakes.
Silver Lake State Park is located in Oceana County and
encompasses 3,000 acres along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It is home to a
campround, a swimming beach, an off-road vehicle scramble area and much more.
Sleeper State Park is 723 acres of forest, wetlands,
sandy beach and dunes located on the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Visitors can
watch both sunrises and sunsets on the bay, relax in the shade and seclusion of
the campground or roam the trails of the ancient dune forests.
Sleepy Hollow State Park contains over 2,600 acres
including a river winding its way through the woods, fields and trails. Lake
Ovid nestled in the middle of it all was developed by damming the Little Maple
River and covers 410-acres. The park offers year-round opportunity for
recreation.
Interlochen State Park is located on two fishing and
swimming lakes: Green Lake and Duck Lake in Northern Michigan.
Rolling hills, babbling brooks, open meadows, forested
ridges; a lake nestled in the hills and a river winding its way through woods
and fields — that’s Ionia Recreation Area. Dammed waterfowl flooding,
wildflowers and more than 199 species of birds have been seen in this park.
Island Lake Recreation Area has one the nation’s safest
shooting ranges and offers great canoeing, volleyball courts, picnic shelters,
swimming and cabins to rent.
Keith
J. Charters Traverse City State Park
Traverse City State Park features a .25 mile of beautiful
beach on the Grand Traverse Bay. The park is located 3 miles east of downtown
Traverse City. The campground is open year round with heated restrooms.
Lake Gogebic State Park covers 360 acres and nearly a
mile of lake frontage on the west shore of the largest inland lake in the Upper
Peninsula. About 30 campsites are located directly on the lake front and the
rest are nestled among the trees, not more than 100 yards from the lake.
Located on M- 64 between US-2 and M-28.
South Higgins Lake State Park contains almost one mile of
shoreline along Higgins Lake, which is a large spring-fed body of water known
for its clarity and fishing potential. On the south side of County Road 100 is
Marl Lake and 700 acres forested in maple, oak and pine.
Sterling State Park is the only state park on Lake Erie
located just an hour from Detroit in the city of Monroe. The park is home to a
variety of recreational opportunities.
The park is home to a picnic area and an observation
platform overlooking the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac. It’s
located on Church Street in the City of St. Ignace, just south of US-2.
Sturgeon Point State Park is an undeveloped park that
juts into Lake Huron and features a long and shallow reef extending for almost
a full mile. The park is home to a lighthouse and museum, as well as a variety
of Michigan flora and fauna!
The centerpiece of Tahquamenon Falls State Park’s 50,000
acres is the Tahquamenon River with its waterfalls. The Upper Falls, one of the
largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, has a drop of nearly 50 feet, more
than 200 feet across and a water flow of more than 50,000 gallons per second. Come
see us at the Tahquamenon Falls Fact Shack.
Find Tahquamenon Falls on Facebook.
Lake Hudson Recreation Area offers premier muskie
fishing, game hunting, swimming, boating, camping and much more. Lake Hudson
has been designated a dark sky preserve for observation of the nighttime sky.
Lakeport State Park located on Lake Huron with two
distinct units separated by the village of Lakeport. A total of 250 sites are
divided between the two campgrounds. I-94 east to M-25 north, 15 miles north,
entrance on the east side of M-25.
Laughing
Whitefish Falls State Park
Laughing Whitefish Falls is one of the Upper Peninsula’s
many impressive waterfalls featuring a picnic area, three observation decks and
2.5 miles foot trails.
Leelanau State Park, located at the tip of the little
finger on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula, has more than 1519 acres waiting
for visitors to explore. The park showcases the Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Museum, a rustic campground, three mini cabins, 8.5 miles of hiking/skiing
trails and a picnic area with a pavilion.
Lime
Island State Recreation Area
The park encompasses the 932-acre island – in the St.
Marys River about two miles from the eastern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
– plus just about six and one-half acres on the mainland in the community of
Raber. Visitors to the island must charter or navigate a boat more than 2 miles
across the St. Marys River.
Tawas Point has been referred to as the “Cape Cod of
the Midwest.” The campground is located on Tawas Bay where the water is
shallow and warm for swimming. In the park is the Tawas Point Lighthouse which
serves as the sole representative of a true Victorian-era style station on the
Great Lakes.
•
Situated along seven and a half miles of Lake Huron
shoreline, this undeveloped park provides a rustic retreat for hikers exploring
the park’s six miles of trails. Thompson’s Harbor now has two rustic cabins.
This small rustic campground, located at Tippy Dam Pond,
also includes an active boating access site.
Twin Lakes State Park is situated in Michigan’s Copper
Country located in Houghton County, 15 miles northeast of Mass City and 26
miles southwest of Houghton/Hancock on Highway M-26. The 175-acre modern
campground is located on the southwest shore of Lake Roland.View Online Visitor’s Guide
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Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Van Buren State
Park has one mile of sandy beach and high dune formations. It’s the perfect
place to lounge on the beach, walk through woodland trails and enjoy a picnic
lunch. Located three miles south of South Haven, the campground is only minutes
away from local shops and restaurants.
The park is home to three campgrounds, sandy beaches,
scenic sand dunes, an iconic lighthouse, wetlands, marshlands and forests. The
park is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of
beautiful shoreline along both lakes.
Mackinac
Island and Fort Mackinac Historic Park
Historic Mackinac Island is punctuated by distinctive
stone formations like Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf. Footpaths crisscross its 1,800
acres. A road circles the island for walkers, bicyclists and horse-drawn
vehicles.
Built in 1780, Fort Mackinac is Michigan’s only
revolutionary war-era fort. The island is accessible by ferry from Mackinaw
City and St. Ignace.
Maybury State Park Contains almost 1,000 acres of gently
rolling terrain, open meadow, mature forest, a variety of wildlife and abundant
wildflowers, the park gives people an opportunity to get involved in outdoor
recreation activities in a state park setting.
McLain State Park offers two miles of sand beach on Lake
Superior. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of activities in the park: fishing,
windsurfing, berry picking, beachcombing, sight-seeing and hunting. The sunsets
at McLain State Park are spectacular and the view of the lighthouse is
magnificent.
Charles Mears State Park is located in the quaint village
of Pentwater along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Paved campsite lots are
surrounded by fine sand and a swimming beach is adjacent to the harbor pier.
Van Riper State Park is home to 1.5 miles of waterfront
along Lake Michigamme and 1.5 miles of frontage along the Peshekee River. A
slow drive through the north of the park may reward you with the sight of a
majestic moose!
This scenic waterfall is nestled amongst virgin pine and
hemlock trees. There is a small parking area and a half-mile trail with an
observation deck overlooking the falls. Two miles east of Munising
The park is home to 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 6
miles of hiking trails and camping. A rugged dune formation rises 260 feet
above the lake and offers spectacular views.
A majority of the park’s 311 acres consist of a
beech/maple climax forest. A quiet hiking trail leads over a bridge that looks
over the rustic Galien River in this undisturbed natural area.
The park is home to multiple campgrounds, cabins/yurts,
beaches, picnic areas, fishing lakes, nature trails, hiking trails, mountain
biking trails, equestrian trails, the Gerald
Eddy Discovery Center and much more.
Menominee
River State Recreation Area
The park encompasses nearly 10,000 acres of public land
along a 17-mile stretch of undeveloped river. This area is co-managed by the
states of Wisconsin and Michigan.
This unique park designates the spot where all township,
range and section measurements begin for the entire state of Michigan. It is
being preserved for its historic value. It is approximately a one and a half
mile round trip hike to view the monuments. Parking is located off Meridian
Road at the trailhead. There is currently no water or restroom facilities.
Metamora-Hadley
Recreation Area
Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area consists of 723 acres
with 80-acre Lake Minnewanna in the center Campers, hikers, boaters, anglers,
hunters, cross-country skiers and others enjoy a wide variety recreational
opportunities throughout the year. The park has a universally accessible
fishing pier.
Mike
Levine Lakelands Trail State Park
Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park is a 34-mile-long
linear trail that stretches between Ingham and Livingston counties and passes
through woods, pastures, picturesque wetlands and by the beautiful Huron River.
This multiple-use trail suitable for biking, walking, running and equestrian
use.
The management unit is Pinckney Recreation Area.
The park is a popular camping, fishing and boating
destination and is situated between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. A historic
canal connects the two lakes and runs directly through the park.
Watkins
Lake State Park and County Preserve
The park features a scenic lake, a mixture of open
meadow, mixed hardwoods and low wetland areas. The park is known for its quiet
serenity, popular, 5-mile walking trail and opportunities for bird watching. As
a popular watchable wildlife destination, the park offers large numbers of
waterfowl during the spring and fall migration. Parking is located on Arnold
Road, just north of Watkins Lake.
Wells State Park includes 678 acres, a three-mile sandy
beach shoreline for swimming, large picnic area, a modern campground and rustic
cabins. The park is open year round for winter recreation such as cross-country
skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. 30 miles south of Escanaba, or 25 miles
north of Menominee on M-35.
Wetzel State Recreation Area is an undeveloped park
providing areas for hiking, hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Wilderness State Park offers visitors a variety of
year-round recreational activities within its10,000-plus acres, including 26
miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, numerous trails, a swimming beach,
a dog beach and numerous camping opportunities.
William
G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor is the first
urban state park and is considered a green oasis in the heart of the city. The
park is situated on the Detroit River and provides excellent opportunities for
picnics, walks, fishing and much more.
Muskallonge Lake State Park is situated between the
shores of Lake Superior and Muskallonge Lake and the area is well known for its
forests, lakes and streams. Muskallonge Lake State Park was the former site of,
a lumbering town and an Indian encampment.
Muskegon State Park is located along two miles of Lake
Michigan shoreline and one mile of Muskegon Lake shoreline. A luge run is
available at the Winter Sports Complex.
The park is located four miles west of North Muskegon.
Take US- 31 to the M-120 exit in North Muskegon and follow the signs to the
park.
The park is a rustic, undeveloped area open for hunting
and hiking. Please use caution when driving the sandy roads.
Newaygo State Park is a 99-site rustic campground and day
use area sitting atop 20-foot embankments overlooking the Hardy Dam Pond, a
six-mile flooding of the Muskegon River. The campground is noted for its large,
private sites and scenic beauty with a 20-30 foot forested buffer between
sites.
North Higgins Lake is nestled on Higgins Lake located on
what was once the world’s largest seedling nursery. The park provides a variety
of tree, plant, bird and animal species that make the park attractive for
outdoor activities. Open all year for camping.
Wilson State Park is situated on 36 wooded acres on the
north end of Budd Lake in Clare County.
Yankee
Springs Recreation Area
Yankee Spring’s unique beauty and landscape lend the
park’s 5,200 acres to many forms of recreation, such as camping, hiking,
mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, cross-country skiing, swimming and
much more. View driving directions.
Young State Park on beautiful Lake Charlevoix spans over
560 acres and is a mix of gently rolling terrain, lowlands and cedar swamp. The
beach at Young State Park was voted the “best beach of the year” by
the Petoskey News Review Graphic.
Onaway State Park on the beautiful Black Lake has rugged
but picturesque land, including sand cobblestone beaches, large unique rock
out-croppings and a diverse variety of trees a three-mile nature trail. The
campground is set among virgin white pines and offers solitude, serenity and family
fun.
Six miles north of Onaway on Highway M-211.
Orchard Beach State Park is situated on a bluff
overlooking Lake Michigan. A stairway leads from the campground to the beach
and self-guided hiking trails are adjacent to the park.
Take US-31 to M-110 turn north and go one and and half miles to park entrance.
Ortonville Recreation Area with 5,430 acres contains high
wooded hills and a wide range of recreational activities.
Otsego Lake State Park – located just south of Gaylord –
is home to more than a half mile of sandy beach, a campground, picnic area, a
boat launch and much more.
Located on Detroit’s Riverfront in the historic Globe
Building, the Outdoor Adventure Center brings “up north” downtown with
simulated outdoor recreation, hands-on activities, nature displays, exhibits
and much more.
Palms Book is home to one of Michigan’s alluring natural
attractions – Kitch-iti-kipi. Two hundred feet across and 40-feet deep
Kitch-iti-kipi is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring. More than 10,000 gallons
a minute gush from fissures in the underlying limestone at a constant 45
degrees Fahrenheit.
Petoskey State Park, located on the north end of Little
Traverse Bay, is situated on 303 scenic acres and offers a beautiful sandy
beach on the bay. The park has two separate modern campgrounds. Tannery Creek
Campground offers 100 campsites and Dunes Campground offers 80 campsites.
Bruin Lake Modern Campground is located at 21237 Kaiser
Rd. Gregory, MI 48137. The Silver Hill address is for the Pinckney Recreation
Area Headquarters.
Pinckney Recreation Area is a paradise for backpackers,
mountain bikers, anglers and other recreation enthusiasts. Pinckney is known
for its extensive trail system and chain of excellent fishing lakes. Over forty
miles of multi-use trail with remote campsites afford a backcountry experience.
Pinckney is also a short drive from the Gerald
E. Eddy Discovery Center in Waterloo Recreation Area.
No alcoholic beverages allowed in park April 1 – Sept.
30.
Pontiac Lake is a 3,700-acre park located in Oakland County.
The park features hiking, biking, equestrian trails, camping and more. The park
is home to the longest beach in southeast Michigan at just over a 1/2 mile.
Porcupine
Mountains Wilderness State Park
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (60,000 acres)
is one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Home to
towering old-growth hemlock-hardwood stands, roaring waterfalls and spectacular
sweeping vistas.
Visit
the Visitor Center just three miles west of Silver City on M-107.
The park is home to a dark sky preserve, three miles of
sandy shoreline, a modern campground and a boardwalk. It also offers visitors
ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing,
birding and hunting.
Proud Lake Recreation Area is located on the scenic Huron
River and offers diverse and plentiful recreational opportunities. More than 20
miles of trails cover several diverse habitats. It also offers the unique River
Hawk Lodge.
The park is a wilderness located located within the
AuSable State Fores. It’s a great destination for wildlife watching, hiking,
fishing and hunting.
Located on the shores of Lake Huron, north of Alpena, the
property includes a deep-water protected harbor, an old limestone quarry of
approximately 300 acres, a unique series of sinkholes, a dedicated Natural Area
(Besser Natural Area) and a broad range of land types, vegetative cover,
cultural resources and recreation opportunities.
Sanilac
Petroglyphs Historic State Park
Rock carvings, known as petroglyphs, etched into a
sandstone outcrop are a mystery. Yet they give us a glimpse into the lives of
early Native American artists.
A day use park along a secluded strip of Lake Michigan
shoreline, Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers two and a half miles of shoreline.
The park has fresh water coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall. The park’s
terrain varies from steep slopes to rolling hills.
An endless variety of topography and ecosystems form the
area called Seven Lakes. Its land was a combination of farmland, rolling hills
and forests. About 230 acres of water with several miles of shoreline await the
park user. The dam, formed one large lake from seven small lakes.
Silver Lake State Park is located in Oceana County and
encompasses 3,000 acres along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It is home to a
campround, a swimming beach, an off-road vehicle scramble area and much more.
Sleeper State Park is 723 acres of forest, wetlands,
sandy beach and dunes located on the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Visitors can
watch both sunrises and sunsets on the bay, relax in the shade and seclusion of
the campground or roam the trails of the ancient dune forests.
Sleepy Hollow State Park contains over 2,600 acres
including a river winding its way through the woods, fields and trails. Lake
Ovid nestled in the middle of it all was developed by damming the Little Maple
River and covers 410-acres. The park offers year-round opportunity for
recreation.
South Higgins Lake State Park contains almost one mile of
shoreline along Higgins Lake, which is a large spring-fed body of water known
for its clarity and fishing potential. On the south side of County Road 100 is
Marl Lake and 700 acres forested in maple, oak and pine.
Sterling State Park is the only state park on Lake Erie
located just an hour from Detroit in the city of Monroe. The park is home to a
variety of recreational opportunities.
The park is home to a picnic area and an observation
platform overlooking the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac. It’s
located on Church Street in the City of St. Ignace, just south of US-2.
Sturgeon Point State Park is an undeveloped park that
juts into Lake Huron and features a long and shallow reef extending for almost
a full mile. The park is home to a lighthouse and museum, as well as a variety
of Michigan flora and fauna!
The centerpiece of Tahquamenon Falls State Park’s 50,000
acres is the Tahquamenon River with its waterfalls. The Upper Falls, one of the
largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, has a drop of nearly 50 feet, more
than 200 feet across and a water flow of more than 50,000 gallons per second. Come
see us at the Tahquamenon Falls Fact Shack.
Find Tahquamenon Falls on Facebook.
Tawas Point has been referred to as the “Cape Cod of
the Midwest.” The campground is located on Tawas Bay where the water is
shallow and warm for swimming. In the park is the Tawas Point Lighthouse which
serves as the sole representative of a true Victorian-era style station on the
Great Lakes.
Situated along seven and a half miles of Lake Huron
shoreline, this undeveloped park provides a rustic retreat for hikers exploring
the park’s six miles of trails. Thompson’s Harbor now has two rustic cabins.
This small rustic campground, located at Tippy Dam Pond,
also includes an active boating access site.
Twin Lakes State Park is situated in Michigan’s Copper
Country located in Houghton County, 15 miles northeast of Mass City and 26
miles southwest of Houghton/Hancock on Highway M-26. The 175-acre modern
campground is located on the southwest shore of Lake Roland.View Online Visitor’s Guide
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Van Buren State
Park has one mile of sandy beach and high dune formations. It’s the perfect
place to lounge on the beach, walk through woodland trails and enjoy a picnic
lunch. Located three miles south of South Haven, the campground is only minutes
away from local shops and restaurants.
Van Riper State Park is home to 1.5 miles of waterfront
along Lake Michigamme and 1.5 miles of frontage along the Peshekee River. A
slow drive through the north of the park may reward you with the sight of a
majestic moose!
This scenic waterfall is nestled amongst virgin pine and
hemlock trees. There is a small parking area and a half-mile trail with an
observation deck overlooking the falls. Two miles east of Munising
The park is home to 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 6
miles of hiking trails and camping. A rugged dune formation rises 260 feet
above the lake and offers spectacular views.
A majority of the park’s 311 acres consist of a
beech/maple climax forest. A quiet hiking trail leads over a bridge that looks
over the rustic Galien River in this undisturbed natural area.
The park is home to multiple campgrounds, cabins/yurts,
beaches, picnic areas, fishing lakes, nature trails, hiking trails, mountain
biking trails, equestrian trails, the Gerald
Eddy Discovery Center and much more.
Watkins
Lake State Park and County Preserve
The park features a scenic lake, a mixture of open
meadow, mixed hardwoods and low wetland areas. The park is known for its quiet
serenity, popular, 5-mile walking trail and opportunities for bird watching. As
a popular watchable wildlife destination, the park offers large numbers of
waterfowl during the spring and fall migration. Parking is located on Arnold Road,
just north of Watkins Lake.
Wells State Park includes 678 acres, a three-mile sandy
beach shoreline for swimming, large picnic area, a modern campground and rustic
cabins. The park is open year round for winter recreation such as cross-country
skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. 30 miles south of Escanaba, or 25 miles
north of Menominee on M-35.
Wetzel State Recreation Area is an undeveloped park
providing areas for hiking, hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Wilderness State Park offers visitors a variety of
year-round recreational activities within its10,000-plus acres, including 26
miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, numerous trails, a swimming beach,
a dog beach and numerous camping opportunities.
William
G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor is the first
urban state park and is considered a green oasis in the heart of the city. The
park is situated on the Detroit River and provides excellent opportunities for
picnics, walks, fishing and much more.
Wilson State Park is situated on 36 wooded acres on the
north end of Budd Lake in Clare County.
Yankee
Springs Recreation Area
Yankee Spring’s unique beauty and landscape lend the
park’s 5,200 acres to many forms of recreation, such as camping, hiking,
mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, cross-country skiing, swimming and
much more. View driving directions.
Young State Park on beautiful Lake Charlevoix spans over
560 acres and is a mix of gently rolling terrain, lowlands and cedar swamp. The
beach at Young State Park was voted the “best beach of the year” by
the Petoskey News Review Graphic.
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- Listed by: Editor
- Member Since: September 2, 2017
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