Michigan State Parks

Bald Mountain State Recreation Area is a 4,367-acre green space which can be found near Michigan’s stunning Lake Orion. The park is home to only recreational facilities in the world to ever be designed by renowned architect Gunnar Birkerts, a Latvian American who was mostly based in Detroit. The building complex comprises five mid-century modern resources such as men’s and women’s bathhouses, concession stands, a pump house, and more - together, they are called the Lower Trout Lake Bathhouse Complex and Contact Station and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The surrounding recreational area is mostly popular with anglers and hunters who come there to catch geese, rabbit, deer, bass, and trout.

Address: 3361 S Lapeer Rd, Orion Charter Township, MI 48360, Phone: 248-93-6767

Located within the historic town of the same name, Fayette Historic State Park is a lovely place that is situated between Sand Bay and Snail Shell Harbor in the Big Bay de Noc of Lake Michigan. The town itself is extremely popular as it used to be an industrial community which manufactured charcoal pig iron but was later reconstructed into a living museum to give visitors an idea of what life was like there in the late 19th century. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the park itself is only 711 acres and was established in 1959. Visitors who come there love to spend their time hiking on the 5+ miles of trails, which are groomed in the winter to accommodate cross-country skiing. There are also 61 semi-modern campsites which are situated besides playgrounds, picnic shelters, and restrooms.

Address: 4785 II Rd, Garden, MI 49835, Phone: 906-644-2603

Featuring a magnificent day-use area as well as a popular campground, Harrisville State Park is perfect for visitors who are looking to spend anywhere from a few hours to a few days in one of Michigan’s parks. You’ll find much of the park to be cedar and pine trees as well as long stretches of sandy shores which lead to Lake Huron. It is one of the oldest state parks in Michigan, having been established in 1921. Since then, the park has grown in size as well as facilities. You’ll find a number of hiking and cross-country skiing trails, several picnic areas with rentable pavilions, and even an area designated for metal detecting. The park hosts many events throughout the year, many of which are dedicated to music and art; their annual sand sculpture contest occurs every summer and is extremely popular with visitors.

Address: 248 State Park Rd, Harrisville, MI 48740, Phone: 989-724-5126

Hartwick Pines State Park is an IUCN category v protected landscape and seascape that was established in 1927. It is one of the oldest state parks as well as the fifth biggest in the entire state, spanning at 9,762 acres. While exploring the park and its old-growth forest of red pines and white pines, you’ll be able to see what a majority of Northern Michigan was like prior to the logging area. One of the park’s most popular features is the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum, which is filed with exhibits, artifacts, and photographs from Michigan’s lumber boom years.

Address: Grayling, MI 49738, Phone: 989-348-7068

Hiawatha National Forest is an 894,836-acre protected area which was established in 1931. The national forest comprises six designated wilderness areas which visitors can explore: Round Island Wilderness, Rock River Canyon Wilderness, Horseshoe Bay Wilderness, Delirium Wilderness, Mackinac Wilderness, and Big Island Lake Wilderness. There are also five National Wild and Scenic Rivers located within Hiawatha: Whitefish River, Indian River, Carp River, Tahquamenon River, and Sturgeon River. There is so much that you can see and do while you’re there, but the most popular activity that most visitors come to the park for is camping. Favored campgrounds include Carp River Campground, which allows fishing, Bay View Campground, which has a secluded beach, and Monocle Lake Campground, which is great for RV campers.

Address: Manistique, MI 49854, Phone: 906-428-5800

Since it was established in 1926 Holland State Park has grown tremendously over the years in both size and facilities. Nearly two million people flock to the park every year, making it one of the most visited state parks in Michigan. The public recreation area, which spans 142 acres, has an array of activities and amenities for visitors. You can spend your time there hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, or playing in the playgrounds. There is a popular dune area and you’ll also be able to see stunning views of Holland Harbor and the Holland Harbor Light, “Big Red”.

Address: 2215 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI 49424, Phone: 616-399-9390

Isle Royale National Park comprises the main island of Isle Royale and hundreds of smaller islands adjacent to it. The park covers 894 square miles, of which 209 square miles are land and the rest are the surrounding waters. Isle Royale National Park was established in 1940 as a means of protecting it from development; in 1980 it was declared a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve. The entire park is situated within Lake Superior but is along the international border and is nearby the Canadian Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. Recreational features include hiking trails, canoeing and kayaking routes, campsites, rentable cabins, fishing spots, and designated picnicking sites among other things.

Address: Lake Superior, Michigan, Phone: 906-482-0984

Having been established in 1992, Keweenaw National Historical Park is a fairly newer addition to Michigan’s many outdoor spaces. The 1,869-acre park is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places because it has several structures and natural attractions which celebrate the life and history of the Keweenaw Peninsula. One of the largest and oldest lava flows is located within the park, making it one of the few places on Earth where you can recover 97% pure native copper. Some of the 21 heritage sites that you can visit while at the park include the Carnegie Museum, the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, the Delaware Copper Mine, Laurium Manor Inn, and the Quincy Mine Hoist and Underground Mine.

Address: 25970 Red Jacket Rd, Calumet, MI 49913, Phone: 906-337-3168

Located between the shores of Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan, Ludington State Park Beach has several ecosystems you can explore within its 5,300-acre space. You’ll be able to explore everything from sand dunes and forests to lakes, dams, and rivers. One of the park’s most prominent features is the Big Sable Point Lighthouse; it stands at 112 feet high and was first lit in 1876. Visitors can take a tour of the beautiful lighthouse during certain times of the year. Another of the park’s famous aspects is Hamlin Lake where visitors can go swimming, canoeing, or even enjoy ice fishing during the winter months.

Address: 8800 M-116, Ludington, MI 49431, Phone: 231-843-2423

Comprising 944 acres of mature forest, open meadow, and gently rolling terrain, Maybury State Park has been a popular place to visit ever since it opened to the public in 1975. There are so many outdoor recreational activities you can participate in while at the park, though it originally became popular as a picnicking haven because of its sprawling fields and isolated woods. Some of the things you can do while there are go hiking, hiking, horseback riding, pond fishing, and cross-country skiing. Visitors are also urged to visit the playgrounds, stables, and the Maybury Farm, where they can enjoy educational programs and go on hay rides.

Address: 20145 Beck Rd, Northville, MI 48167, Phone: 248-349-8390