Upper Peninsula
State Parks

Michigan's State Forest system covers over 3.8 million acres and is the largest State Forest system in the eastern United States. Michigan State Forests support the largest rustic recreation system in the Nation.

Uncrowded Forest campgrounds at out of the way locations are a mainstay of this system. The Upper Peninsula state parks provide solitude, scenery, and wildlife unequaled at better known parks.

There are opportunities for camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, skiing, off-road vehicle riding, hunting, fishing and sightseeing. Boating, picnicking, mushroom and blueberry picking, bird watching, horseback riding, and photographing nature are also waiting for you.

The U.P's underused state parks can provide enjoyment for many more visitors, whether they pack tent gear to rough it, pull a travel trailer, drive a camper towing a boat, go by motorhome, or rent a tipi, mini-cabin, or remote rustic cabin. Even the travelers in large recreational vehicles can listen to coyotes and wolves howl, or enjoy the sight of deer, bear or moose. This is the wilderness. Most State Parks have group camping sites. Some of the State Parks have a rental lodge. Call the park for information.

Fees: A Recreational Passport is needed to enter all Michigan State Parks. Passports for Michigan residents can be purchased when you renew your vehicle license plate or at any Michigan State Park. Click Here for online purchase of Recreational Passports. The Recereation Passport is good in all Michigan State Parks.

Non-Residents: You need a State Park Motor Vehicle Permit to enter a Michigan State Park.This Motor Vehicle Permit provides admission to all Michigan State Parks and may be purchased at the Park entrance.

Baraga State Park 1300 US-41 South, Baraga MI 49908; (906) 353-6558. Situated on the Keweenaw Bay (Lake Superior) with easy access to the water, the park is centrally located to the many attractions in the western Upper Peninsula. The bay offers anglers good action on salmon, steelhead, lake and brown trout. Take US-41 south of Baraga less than a mile. Kitchigami Tepee now available for overnight rental.

Bewabic State Park
1933 US-2 West, Crystal Fall, MI 49920; (906) 875-3324. The park is located on a chain of lakes providing prime fishing opportunities and a sandy swimming beach. The modern campground is shaded by the surrounding virgin hardwood forest. Bewabic is the only state park with tennis courts. Groomed classic style 2.5 mile cross-country ski trail. Trail head at the south end of the day use parking lot. Take US-2 four miles west of Crystal Falls.

Brimley State Park
9200 West 6 Mile Road, Brimley, MI 49715; (906) 248-3422. The park features a 270-site modern campground with large, grassy campsites as well as a mini-cabin and a swimming beach on Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay. Brimley has the warmest swimming water of any state park located on the usually frigid Lake Superior. Anglers fish the bay for northern pike and walleye. A scenic view of the Canadian highlands can be seen to the north. Take 6 Mile Road one mile east of Brimley.

Craig Lake State Park P0. Box 88, Champion, MI 49814; (906) 339-4461. Located in the heart of moose country, it is ideal for back country camping and wildlife viewing.Take US-41/M-28 six miles west of Champion and turn north onto Keewaydin Lake Road. Go 12 miles, taking the left fork after five miles.The park is totally undeveloped except for its trail network and two cabins. Rustic cabin rental available.
Fayette Historic State Park 13700 13.25 Lane, Garden, MI 49835; (906) 644-2603. This park features a restored iron smelting company town (1867-1891). The townsite is jointly administered with the Michigan Historical Center, Department of State. The park also features a campground and three miles of shoreline on Big Bay De Noc on Lake Michigan. Take US-2 to Garden Corners and go south on M-183 for 17 miles. For reservations, call 1-800-44-PARKS
Fort Wilkins State Historic Park P0. Box 71, Copper Harbor, Ml 49918; (906) 289-4215. Fort Wilkins portrays military life in the mid-1800's. Jointly administered with the Michigan Historical Center, Department of State. 159 modern campsites . 4 miles of trails for biking, hiking, & cross-country skiing. The Copper Harbor Lighthouse Museum depicts Lake Superior shipping, shipwrecks and lighthouse living conditions. Take US-41 east of Copper Harbor.

Indian Lake State Park
Rt. 2, Box 2500, Manistique, MI 49854; (906) 341-2355. Located on a mile of sandy beach, it offers recreation for swimmers, anglers and campers. Take US-2 to Thompson and head north on M- 149 three miles. Go east on County Road 442. Rustic cabin rental available.

Indian Lake State Park (West Unit)
The West Unit offers secluded and sheltered campsites approximately a half mile from the lake.Take M-149 and proceed three miles north of the Indian Lake Main Unit.

Lake Gogebic State Park
H.C. 1, Box 139, Marenisco, Ml 49947; (906) 842-3341. This park offers lakefront campsites on the shore of Lake Gogebic, the largest inland lake in the U.P Take US-2 to Marenisco and drive 10 miles north on M-64, or take M-64 south of M-28 eight miles.

Laughing Whitefish Falls Scenic Site
N7670 Hwy. M-35, Sundell, MI; (906) 863-9747. This is one of the region's many impressive waterfalls. The site features a mile of foot trails, picnic area with water pump and three observation decks overlooking the falls.Take M-94 north of Sundell two miles. No camping. No services.

F. J. McLain State Park
Rt. 1, Box 82, M-203, Hancock, Ml 49930; (906) 482-0278. Situated on Lake Superior, McLain boasts beautiful views of Michigan sunsets. Park pastimes include swimming, fishing, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, hunting and viewing the lighthouse. Take M-203 north of Hancock eight miles. Winter camping. Rustic cabin rental available.

Muskallonge Lake State Park
Rt.1, Box 245, Newberry, MI 49868; (906) 658-3338. Situated between the shores of Muskallonge Lake and Lake Superior, this park is known for its forests, lakes and streams. Rock hunters frequent the Lake Superior shoreline in search of agates. Take M-123 north of Newberry four miles to County Road 407. Follow 407 west 24 miles.

Palms Book State Park
Rt. 2, Box 2500, Manistique, MI 49854; (906) 341-2355. This is the home of Michigan's largest spring, "Kitch-iti-kipi." The 40-foot-deep spring can be viewed from a self-operated observation raft year-round, although the entrance is locked in winter.Take US-2 to Thompson and go 11 miles north on M-149. Camping at Indian Lake State Park.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
412 South Boundary Rd., Ontonagon, MI 49953; (906) 885-5275. Located on the shores of Lake Superior, this 60,000-acre park offers towering old-growth forests, cliff-top scenic vistas, waterfalls, back country and modern campsites, more than 90 miles of hiking trails and 16 rustic cabins. For the winter, the park offers 42K of cross country ski trails and 15 ski runs along a 641-foot vertical drop.The park also contains four lakes, including the impressive Lake of the Clouds.The visitor center is a necessary stop to get oriented to park facilities and programs.Take M-107 three miles west of Silver City. Rustic cabin rental available and a Yurt is available year round. Hiking trail acccess only.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Presque Isle Unit)
The Presque Isle Unit is located on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior. The rustic campground is a short walk from spectacular waterfalls, cascades and rapids of the Presque Isle River on the East and West River Trails. Take County Road 519 north of Wakefield 16 miles.

Straits State Park
720 Church St., St. Ignace, Ml 49781; (906) 643-8620. Located near the boat lines serving Mackinac Island, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. The park has an observation platform and a number of campsites that offer a stunning view of the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac. Take 1-75 to US-2 and exit at Church Street. Go south on Church Street for a quarter mile.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park
41382 West M- 123, Paradise, Ml 49768. Take M-123 for 25 miles north of Newberry or 12 miles west of Paradise. Phone Tahquamenon Falls State Park at (906) 492-3415 or 1-800 44-PARKS for reservations.

The Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, with a drop of 50 feet and width of 200 feet. The Lower Falls is a series of smaller waterfalls cascading around an island. The park is a hiker's paradise, with 25 miles of forest trails that wind through its 40,000 acres of wilderness. The Lower Falls Campground offers over 300 sites with electric hook-ups, water, and a shower house. Open for winter camping, electricity, water at spigot in pump house.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park (at the mouth of the Tahquamenon River)
This portion of the park (the Rivermouth Unit) offers a scenic, secluded campground, with both modern and rustic campsites, as well as a launch site for canoeists and boaters. Take M-123 five miles south of Paradise. Camping at the Lower Falls and the Rivermouth.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park (nearby camping) Rustic Camping near the Tahquamenon Falls Area in Lake Superior State Forest and Hiawatha National Forest.

Twin Lakes State Park
Rt.1, Box 234, M-26,Toivola, MI 49965; (906) 482-0278 [summer only; (906) 288-3321]. The most popular feature is the sandy, warm inland Lake Roland that is shallow enough for young children. It also offers anglers walleye, crappie, bass and an occasional tiger muskie. Take M-26 southwest of Houghton 26 miles.

Van Riper State Park
P0. Box 88, Champion, MI 49814; (906) 339-4461. Located in a conifer and hardwood forest, it offers a sandy beach, hiking trails and fishing spots in the heart of moose country. Van Riper offers accessible rustic camping. Take US-41 for 35 miles west of Marquette. Group site located 1 mile west of the modern campground near the Peshekee River. 8 rustic sites with fire ring and a picnic table. Water pump. The Peshekee River Cabin is just a short walk from the group site. Canoe and Kayak rentals for Lake Michigamme at Michigamme Shores Campground. Phone:906- 339-211

Wagner Falls Scenic Site
Rt. 2, Box 2500, Manistique, MI 49854; (906)341-2355. This scenic waterfall is nestled among virgin pine and hemlock trees.There is a small parking area and a half-mile trail.Travel one mile east of Munising on M-28 and a quarter mile west on M-94. No camping. No services.

J.W. Wells State Park
N7670 Hwy. M-35, Cedar River, MI 498187; (906) 863-9747. There are an abundance of waterfront campsites and rustic cabins on Green Bay, with three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline to explore. Wildlife abound. Wells is an ideal getaway for hiking, bicycling and enjoying the old-growth forest from a seven-mile network of trails. Take M-35, 30 miles south of Escanaba or 25 miles north of Menominee.

 Pets are permitted at Michigan State Parks but must be on a 6' leash and under your control at all times

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Photo Tahquamenon Falls by Sharon Schmeltzer