Michigan Parks

Michigan's state recreation areas, parks and forests provide many opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities or simply rest and relax in our state's outdoor splendor. Don't miss your opportunity to learn more about the unique features of all Michigan's parks and forests.

 

Agate Falls Scenic Site-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. The falls are created as the river finds its way over an extended shelf of terraced sandstone. The resulting waterfall is a broad band of interlacing cascades and small falls nearly 40 feet high. Access to view the falls is via an improved, accessible foot trail. Parking, water, toilets and picnic tables are available at the park, which is generally open from early May through late October.
 
Albert E. Sleeper State Park comprises 723 acres of forest, wetlands and 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. The park first opened as a county park in 1925. In 1927 the state acquired the property and called it Huron State Park. In 1944, the park was renamed in honor of Albert E. Sleeper, governor of Michigan (1917-1920) and resident of Huron County, who signed into law the statute that created the state park system.
 
Algonac State Park-Algonac State Park contains approximately 1,500 acres and has a half-mile of St. Clair River frontage. Home to rare habitats, the lake plain prairies and oak savannas provide places to view prairie plants, birds and butterflies. One of the park's major attractions is viewing freighters of the world along the St. Clair River frontage
 
Aloha State Park-Aloha State Park offers modern camping on beautiful Mullett Lake. Whether fishing, boating, swimming or picnicking, Aloha is close to many of Michigan's most famous travel attractions at the Straits of Mackinaw. Mullett Lake is the at the center of the Inland Lakes Waterways and campsites are near the Park's boat launch for those traveling this route.
 
 
Bald Mountain Recreation Area-Bald Mountain Recreation Area consists of 4,637 rolling acres. The picturesque park area has 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 recreation opportunities all year long.
 
Baraga State Park -Baraga State Park is situated a quarter mile south of Baraga along US-41 and overlooks scenic Keweenaw Bay of Lake Superior. Camping is available at 116 grassy sites or in the park's minicabin. Watching wildlife, fishing, hiking, swimming and boating are among the many activities of this park. The park now features five pull through campsites and 20 and 30 amp electrical service
 
Bass River Recreation Area-Bass River Recreation Area, a 1,665-acre site in central Ottawa County, 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 (on designated trails) as well as hunting.
 
Bay City Recreation Area-Bay City State Recreation Area, situated on the shores of the Saginaw Bay, is home to one of the largest remaining freshwater, coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, the Tobico Marsh. A mile of sandy shoreline 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. The park has long been known for its outstanding variety of bird life and as a haven for wetland wildlife and plants.
 
Bewabic State Park (Fortune Lake)-A 137-site campground is situated in a shady, wooded site. Most of the sites have buffer strips between them to allow for privacy and most sites have electricity, a fire ring and a picnic table. Picnic areas, a hiking trail, two playgrounds, an excellent beach and a boat launch to Fortune Lake are among the additional amenities at this park. Bewabic State Park is site #9 of the Iron County Heritage Trail System. The park is also rich with Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) History which is evident by several CCC structures still in use. Unique to Bewabic is the fact that it is the only state park in Michigan to offer tennis courts.
 
Bond Falls Scenic Site- Bond Falls is a scenic and popular waterfall in southern Ontonagon County. The falls are created as the middle branch of the Ontonagon river tumbles over a thick belt of fractured rock, dividing it into numerous small cascades. Total drop of the falls is approximately 50 feet. Currently, roadside parking and picnic tables are available near the top of the falls. An accessible boardwalk with six viewing locations has been added to this location.
 
Brighton Recreation Area-Brighton Recreation Area provides 4,947 acres of recreation for park visitors to use. The area has a combination of high, irregular ranges of hills, interspersed with a number of attractive lakes. Brighton Recreation Area has several miles of trails available for equestrian, mountain biking, and hiking. Oak forest, thick hedgerows and open spaces blend on the uplands while grassy marshes, shrub marshes and dense swamp timber mark the lowlands.
 
Brimley State Park-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, it was established in 1923 when the Village of Brimley gave the DNR the park's initial 38 acres. The remaining acreage was acquired through purchase or exchange. Hunting, fishing, boating and hiking are popular amenities found at Brimley.
 
Burt Lake State Park -Burt Lake State Park is open from early April to early November. It 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.
 
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park-Cambridge Junction Historic State Park is the site of Walker Tavern, a major stopping place for stagecoaches traveling between Detroit and Chicago in the early nineteenth century. The visitor center and restored tavern with period furniture tell the story of taverns and stagecoach travel for early Michigan residents. This site is operated in cooperation with the Department of History, Arts and Libraries which is responsible for staffing the site with interpreters. The Walker Tavern onsite is open May through October.
 
Charles Mears State Park (Pentwater)-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. The existing park land was once owned by Charles Mears, an early settler of Pentwater. The land was donated to the State of Michigan in 1923 by Carrie Mears, the daughter of Charles Mears.
 
Cheboygan State Park (Duncan Bay)-Cheboygan State Park is open all year for a variety of activities. A system of well-marked trails through the park provides access to scenic Lake Huron vistas, glimpses of rare wildflowers and the lake shore species. Modern camping, rustic cabins, and teepees are all available within the park. The Little Billy Elliot Creek flows through the park and is known for its trout. Fishing is also plentiful
 
Clear Lake State 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. Dedicated a State Park in 1966, the park has 290 acres of land and encompasses 2/3 of the Clear Lake's shoreline.
 
Coldwater Lake State Park-This is an undeveloped property with hunting access allowed. The terrain is a mixture of swamp and farmland leading up to the lake.
 
Colonial Michillimackinac Historic State Park -Interpreters serve as guides for this 1700s reconstructed fur-trading village and military outpost and 1892 Lighthouse. The Mackinac State Historic Parks web site, includes more detailed information about the park.
 
 
Craig Lake State Park-Craig Lake State Park is the most remote state park in the system. It spans more than 6,900 acres in Baraga County. Craig Lake offers a touch of wilderness and access into the park is somewhat of an adventure. Vehicles with high ground clearance are recommended due to the rocky conditions of the road. The park contains six full lakes and numerous small ponds along with a variety of wildlife such as deer, black bear, beaver, loons and a portion of the Upper Peninsula moose herd. Craig Lake is 374 acres and features six islands and high granite bluffs along its northern shoreline.
 
Dodge #4 State Park (Cass Lake)-A sandy beach and a one-mile shoreline on Cass Lake makes Dodge #4 State Park an excellent location for summer and winter water activities. The land which now comprises Dodge #4 State Park was donated to the State of Michigan by the Dodge Brothers Corporation in 1922, under the stipulation that it always be maintained as a public park.
 
Duck Lake State Park-Duck Lake State Park is a 728-acre day-use park, located in Muskegon County. Featuring a towering sand dune, the park stretches from the northern shore of Duck Lake to Lake Michigan. The terrain is a mixture of open brush land to mature hardwood forest, with some pockets of open meadows mixed in. The land was purchased by the Nature Conservancy from two Boy Scout organizations, and acquired by the state in 1974. Remains of the old scout camps were removed and access roads were constructed. The park was officially dedicated in the spring of 1988. A new entrance off of Scenic Drive was completed in May 2005.
 
 
F.J. McLain State Park (Breakers)-McLain State Park is situated in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula on beautiful Lake Superior and is centrally located between the cities of Calumet and Hancock. The 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, rock hounding, sight-seeing and hunting. The sunsets at McLain State Park are spectacular and the view of the lighthouse is magnificent.
 
Father Marquette Memorial Historic State Park -This historic state park hosts the national memorial that honors the Jesuit priest who established Michigan's first permanent settlement. Today, Father Marquette is recognized as one of the great explorers of the North American continent. On a rise overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, the Father Marquette National Memorial pays homage to this 17th-century missionary-explorer and the meeting of French and Native American cultures deep in the North American wilderness.Sadly, the Father Marquette Museum building was destroyed in a fire on March 9, 2000. Current attractions include the National Memorial, an outdoor interpretive trail, picnicking and a panoramic view of the Mackinac Bridge. The site is jointly administered with the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries and is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
 
Fayette Historic State Park (Ghost Town)-Fayette Historic State Park houses a Historic Townsite, a representation of a once bustling industrial community, interpreted by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.
 
Fisherman's Island State Park (Bell's Bay)-Fisherman's Island State Park is not actually an island, but a 2,678-acre park with five miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline. The park encompasses a tiny island, Fisherman's Island, located a short distance offshore from the picnic area. Located just south of Charlevoix, it features a rustic campground with some of the sites nestled in the dunes along the lakeshore. The park road travels through the campground to the picnic area with access to the beach and miles of hiking trails. The interior terrain consists of rolling dunes covered with maple, birch and aspen broken up by bogs of cedar and black spruce
 
Fort Custer Recreation Area (Eagle Lake)-Fort Custer Recreation Area comprises 3,033 acres located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. The terrain is typical of southern Michigan farm country, with second growth forests and remnant areas of prairie. Prairie restoration is in progress with excellent results. The area features three lakes, the Kalamazoo River and an excellent trail system. Originally farmland, the area was acquired by the federal government to establish Camp Custer, an induction and military training center for the US Army during WWII. The land was deeded to the State of Michigan under President Nixon's Legacy of Parks in 1971.
 
Fort Mackinac Historic State Park -This 1,800-acre island in Lake Michigan recreates life in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Bikers, walkers, and equestrians enjoy the island's natural and cultural resources without motor vehicles. Built in 1780, Fort Mackinac is Michigan's only revolutionary war-era fort.The Mackinac State Historic Parks web site, includes more detailed information about the park.
 
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park-Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, in the northern Keweenaw Peninsula, offers camping and day use facilities and features a restored 1844 army military outpost and one of the first lighthouses on Lake Superior built in 1866. Fort Wilkins became a State Park in 1923. Extensive restoration work and development began in the 1930s under the Work Project Administration.

 
Grand Haven State Park-Grand Haven State Park is a 48-acre park with the beautiful sandy shore of 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.
 
Grand M-ere State Park -Grand Mere State Park is characterized by magnificent sand dunes, deep blowouts and one mile of Lake Michigan shoreline. Three inland lakes lie behind the dunes in the undeveloped natural area.
 
Harrisville State Park -Harrisville State Park features a campground and day-use area nestled in a stand of pine and cedar trees along the sandy shores of Lake Huron. The park is within walking distance of the resort town of Harrisville. Established in 1921, it is one of Michigan's oldest state parks. The original park area consisted of six acres, much smaller than the current 107-acre size.
 
Hart- Montague Trail State Park - The Hart-Montague Trail State Park is a paved, 22-mile trail passing through rural, forested lands. Scenic overlooks and picnic areas are located along the route. The DNR currently provides only emergency maintenance services and seeks governmental agencies to operate and maintain its linear park trails.
 
Hartwick Pines State Park -With an area of 9,672 acres, Hartwick Pines is one of the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula. The park's rolling hills, which are built of ancient glacial deposit, overlook the valley of the East Branch of the AuSable River, four small lakes and unique timber lands. The principal feature of this park is the 49-acre forest of Old Growth Pines which gives the park its name. This forest is a reminder of Michigan's past importance in the pine lumber industry as well as a source of inspiration for the future of our forests. The park is rich in scenic beauty and because of the different habitats it encompasses, there is ample subject matter for the sports person, photographer, or naturalist throughout the year. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round.

 
Highland Recreation Area (Teeple Lake) - 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. Three different day-use areas provide ample space for picnics, swimming, horseshoes or volleyball. Access sites are located on four lakes within the park for fishing and recreational boating.
 
Holland State Park (Ottawa Beach) -Holland State Park offers an expansive, sandy beach along Lake Michigan, two large campgrounds and a beautiful view of sailboats and sunsets. The park is divided into two separate units; one along Lake Michigan and the other along Lake Macatawa. The park was acquired from the City of Holland in December 1926. Since then it has been intensively used for its great beach and excellent campgrounds.
 
Holly Recreation Area (McGinnis Lake, Wildwood)-Holly Recreation Area, located within the northern portion of Oakland County between Pontiac and Flint, is less than an hour's drive from the Detroit metropolitan area. The park's nearly 8,000 acres of rolling woodlands and open fields provides opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities.
 
Indian Lake State Park (Big Spring)-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. The lake was once called M'O'Nistique Lake. According to 1850 surveyor records, Native Americans lived in log cabins near the outlet of the lake.

 
Interlochen State Park-Interlochen State Park is situated between two well-known fishing and swimming lakes: Green Lake and Duck Lake. The park was established as Michigan's first state park by the Michigan Legislature in 1917, which paid $60,000 for the land. The name of the park was originally Pine Park, a 200-acre public park created to preserve the virgin pine stand for the people of Michigan. In 1928, the National Music Camp was established on the property adjoining the northern boundary of the park.
 
Ionia Recreation Area (Sessions Lake) -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. The 4,500 acres of flat to rolling terrain is a mixture of open field, mature hardwood forest, and pine plantations. Four miles of Grand River floodplain follow the river course on the north border of the park. Dammed waterfowl floodings and other wetlands dot the park. Wildflowers abound. Birding is excellent with more than 199 species identified by the Audubon Society.
 
Island Lake Recreation Area-Island Lake Recreation Area is a 4,000-acre park in Livingston County that offers an "up north" experience without leaving southeast Michigan. The terrain is a mixture of open brush land to mature hardwood forest, with some pockets of open meadows mixed in. Island Lake is the only balloon port in the state park system. Balloons usually take off in the early morning or late evening, depending on the wind and weather.
 
J. W. Wells State Park-Wells State Park is located on Green Bay about 30 miles south of Escanaba. Its 678 acres include a three-mile shoreline with beautiful sandy beach for swimming, a large picnic area, a modern campground and rustic cabins that are available to rent from mid-March to mid-December. The park, established in 1925, was donated to the State of Michigan by the children of John Walter Wells, a pioneer lumberman in the area. In addition to owning several lumber companies and sawmills, he served a mayor of Menominee for three terms beginning in 1893. Many of the park's buildings, landscaping and water and sewage systems were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and 1940s. The park is open year round, even when the campground is closed, providing opportunities for winter recreation such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

 
Kal-Haven Trail State Park -Kal-Haven Trail State Park is a 34-mile crushed limestone path connecting South Haven and Kalamazoo. The trail meanders through wooded areas, past farm lands and over rivers and streams. Trail highlights include a camelback bridge and covered bridge.
 
Lake Gogebic State Park-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 of nestled among the trees not more than 100 yards from the lake.
 
Lake Hudson Recreation Area (Hudson Lake Park)-Lake Hudson Recreation Area has 2,796 acres of recreational opportunities around Lake Hudson. The park, which lies in southeast Michigan, offers premier muskie fishing and game hunting. The terrain is gently rolling with a mixture of open brush land to mature hardwood forest, with some pockets of open meadows mixed in. A new beach area provides an excellent place for sunbathing and swimming.

 
Lakelands Trail State Park-Lakelands Trail State Park is one of four linear state parks in the Michigan State Park system that have been converted from abandoned railroad corridors. This trail currently is completed between Stockbridge and Pinckney and passes through wooded areas and rolling farmland.
 
Lakeport State Park-Lying along Lake Huron, Lakeport State Park provides southeast Michigan residents access to the Great Lakes. The park has two distinct units separated by the village of Lakeport. A total of 250 sites are divided between the two campgrounds. All sites have a picnic table, fire circle, electricity, modern toilet/shower buildings along with several pull-through sites and camp pads for ease of leveling campers.
 
Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park-Laughing Whitefish Falls is one of the Upper Peninsula's many impressive waterfalls. The site features a mile of foot trails, picnic area with water pump and three observation decks overlooking the falls.
 
Leelanau State Park -Welcome to Leelanau State Park, located at the tip of the little finger on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula, where over 1,300 acres are waiting for visitors to enjoy. The word "Leelanau" is the Native American word for "A Land of Delight" and could not better describe the area. The park has the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, a rustic campground, two mini cabins, 8.5 miles of hiking/skiing trails and a picnic area. Petoskey stones can be found along the shoreline.
 
Ludington State Park -Ludington State Park is comprised of nearly 5,300 acres of scenic sand dunes, shoreline vista, ponds, marshlands and forests. It is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of shoreline and beaches on both bodies of water
 
Mackinaw State Forest-The North Country Trail includes 50 miles within this State Forest: This National Scenic Trail hiking route from North Dakota to New York includes over 1500 miles in Michigan. See www.northcountrytrail.org
 
Maybury State Park-You're invited to visit and enjoy Maybury State Park. Containing almost 1,000 acres of gently rolling terrain, open meadow, mature forest, a variety of wildlife and abundant wildflowers
 
Meridian- Baseline State Park-This unique, landlocked park designates the spot where all township, range and section measurements begins for the entire state of Michigan. It is not accessible to the public, but is being preserved for its historic value.
 
Metamora- Hadley Recreation Area (Minnewanna)-Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area is located in Lapeer County, eight miles south of the city of Lapeer. The park consists of 723 acres with 80-acre Lake Minnewanna in the center.
Mill Creek Historic State Park-This park offers an example of life in the 1700s as the industrial age began to alter saw mills across northern Michigan. The Mackinac Island Historic Parks web site, includes more detailed information.
 
Muskallonge Lake State Park-Muskallonge Lake State Park is located 28 miles northwest of Newberry in Luce County. The 217-acre 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 Deer Park, a lumbering town in the late 1880s
 
Muskegon State Park-Muskegon State Park is located four miles west of North Muskegon on the shore of Lake Michigan. There are over two miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan and over a mile on Muskegon Lake.
 
Negwegon State Park-Negwegon State Park is a rustic, undeveloped area open for hunting and hiking. The terrain is a mixture of low land areas, with small ridges, to mature pine forest, with some hardwoods and aspen forest
 
Newaygo State -Newaygo State Park is a 99-site rustic campground, which sits atop 20-foot embankments overlooking the Hardy Dam Pond, a six-mile flooding of the Muskegon River.
 
North Higgins Lake State Park Located on the north shore of Higgins Lake, the park has 174 modern campsites. Located on what was once the world's largest seedling nursery, the variety of tree, plant, bird and animal species make the park attractive for outdoor activities.
Onaway State Park (Black Lake)-Onaway State Park is located on the southeast shore of beautiful Black Lake in Presque Isle County. The park encompasses 158 acres of rugged but picturesque land, including sand cobblestone beaches,