Michigan's state parks system was started in 1919. Two Michigan state parks pre-date the creation of the park system in 1919. Michigan's first state park, Mackinac Island State Park, was created in 1895. It had served as the nation's second national park from 1875. In 1909 Michilimackinac State Park was created in nearby Mackinaw City. Both of these parks, along with Historic Mill Creek State Park are under the jurisdiction of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission.
DNR operates 746 boat launches on {{convert|57000|acre|km2|sigfig=2}} of designated public water access sites. It also operates 16 "harbors of refuge" as well as providing support for the other 61 harbors in the system. The harbors of refuge are approximately {{convert|30|mi|km|sigfig=1}} apart along the Great Lakes shoreline to provide shelter from storms and often provide boat launches and supplies. There are 11 state underwater preserves covering {{convert|2450|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}} of Great Lakes bottomland and ten of them have a maritime museum or interpretive center in a nearby coastal community.[3]
The DNR Parks and Recreation Division also manages 138 state forest campgrounds (including a dozen equestrian campgrounds). The Michigan state game and wildlife areas encompass more than {{convert|340000|acre|km2|sigfig=2}}. DNR also oversees the trail systems in the state. This includes {{convert|880|mi|km|sigfig=2}} of non-motorized trails, {{convert|1145|mi|km|sigfig=2}} of rail-trails, {{convert|3193|mi|km|sigfig=2}} of off-road vehicle (ORV) routes and {{convert|6216|mi|km|sigfig=3}} of snowmobile trails.[4]
For a discussion of all protected areas in Michigan under all jurisdictions, see Protected areas of Michigan.
Map showing many of Michigan's state parks but not state recreation areas or state forests.
{{Michigan state parks map}}{{clear}}NameCounty | Size | Estab- lished | Lake / river | Image | Remarks | |
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acres | ha |
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Algonac State Park | St. Clair | 1450|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1937 | St. Clair River | Rare savanna lands |
Aloha State Park | Cheboygan | 107|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1923 | Mullett Lake | On the Michigan Inland Waterway |
Baraga State Park | Baraga | 56|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1921 | Lake Superior | On Keweenaw Bay |
Bay City State Park | Bay | 2389|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Huron | On Saginaw Bay |
Belle Isle Park | Wayne | 982|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1845 | Detroit River |
Bewabic State Park | Iron | 315|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1923 | Fortune Lake |
Brimley State Park | Chippewa | 151|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1923 | Lake Superior | On Whitefish Bay |
Burt Lake State Park | Cheboygan | 406|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1920 | Burt Lake |
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park | Lenawee | 80|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Historic Walker Tavern |
Cheboygan State Park | Cheboygan | 1250|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1962 | Lake Huron |
Clear Lake State Park | Montmorency | 290|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1966 | Clear Lake |
Coldwater Lake State Park | Branch | 400|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1988 | Coldwater Lake |
Colonial Michilimackinac Historic State Park | Emmet | 37|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Straits of Mackinac | Includes Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse |
Craig Lake State Park | Baraga | 8459|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1956 | Craig Lake |
Dodge #4 State Park | Oakland | 139|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1922 | Cass Lake |
Duck Lake State Park | Muskegon | 728|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1988 | Duck Lake |
Fayette Historic State Park | Delta | 711|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1959 | Big Bay de Noc, Lake Michigan |
Fisherman's Island State Park | Charlevoix | 2678|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park | Keweenaw | 711|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1923 | Lake Superior | Site of Copper Harbor Light |
Grand Haven State Park | Ottawa | 48|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Grand Mere State Park | Berrien | 985|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Harrisville State Park | Alcona | 107|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1921 | Lake Huron |
Hartwick Pines State Park | Crawford | 9672|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1927 | Old-growth white and red pine forest |
Hayes State Park | Lenawee, Jackson, Washtenaw | 654|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1920 | Wamplers Lake, Round Lake |
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park | Cheboygan | 625|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} |
Hoeft State Park | Presque Isle | 301|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1922 | Lake Huron |
Hoffmaster State Park | Muskegon, Ottawa | 1100|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Holland State Park | Ottawa | 617|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1926 | Lake Macatawa, Lake Michigan |
Indian Lake State Park | Schoolcraft | 847|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1932 | Indian Lake |
Interlochen State Park | Grand Traverse | 187|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1917 | Green Lake, Duck Lake |
Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park | Grand Traverse | 47|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan | On Grand Traverse Bay |
Lake Gogebic State Park | Gogebic | 1329|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1930 | Lake Gogebic |
Lakeport State Park | St. Clair | 565|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1946 | Lake Huron |
Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park | Alger | 960|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Laughing Whitefish River |
Leelanau State Park | Leelanau | 1350|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1964 | Lake Michigan |
Little Presque Isle State Park[6] | Marquette | 0|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 2010s | Lake Superior |
Ludington State Park | Mason | 5300|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Mackinac Island and Fort Mackinac Historic Park | Mackinac | 1800|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1895 | Lake Huron |
Maybury State Park | Wayne | 944|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} |
McLain State Park | Houghton | 443|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Superior |
Mears State Park | Oceana | 610|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1923 | Lake Michigan |
Meridian-Baseline State Park | Ingham, Jackson | 188|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1960s |
Mitchell State Park | Wexford | 1289|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1919 | Lake Mitchell, Lake Cadillac |
Muskallonge Lake State Park | Luce | 217|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Superior |
Muskegon State Park | Muskegon | 1233|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake |
Negwegon State Park | Alcona, Alpena | 591|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1962 | Lake Huron |
Newaygo State Park | Newaygo | 257|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1966 | Hardy Dam Pond |
North Higgins Lake State Park | Crawford | 429|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Higgins Lake |
Old Mission State Park[6] | Grand Traverse | 520|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1980s | Lake Michigan | Leased to Peninsula Township and operated as Lighthouse Park |
Onaway State Park | Presque Isle | 158|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1921 | Black Lake |
Orchard Beach State Park | Manistee | 201|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1921 | Lake Michigan |
Otsego Lake State Park | Otsego | 1293|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1920 | Otsego Lake |
Palms Book State Park | Schoolcraft | 388|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1926 | Kitch-iti-kipi, Indian Lake |
Petoskey State Park | Emmet | 203|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1969 | Little Traverse Bay |
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park | Gogebic, Ontonagon | 59020|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Superior |
Port Crescent State Park | Huron | 600|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Huron |
Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park | Sanilac | 240 |acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Little Cass River |
Saugatuck Dunes State Park | Allegan | 1000|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1978 | Lake Michigan |
Seven Lakes State Park | Oakland | 1434|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 1992 | Big Seven Lake |
Silver Lake State Park | Oceana | 2936|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan, Silver Lake | Includes Little Sable Point Light |
Sleeper State Park | Huron | 723|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Huron |
Sleepy Hollow State Park | Clinton | 2678|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Ovid |
South Higgins Lake State Park | Roscommon | 1000|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Higgins Lake |
Sterling State Park | Monroe | 1300|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Erie |
Straits State Park | Mackinac | 181|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Straits of Mackinac | Includes Father Marquette National Memorial |
Sturgeon Point State Park | Alcona | 76|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Tahquamenon Falls State Park | Chippewa, Luce | 46179|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} |
Tawas Point State Park | Iosco | 183|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Huron |
Thompson's Harbor State Park | Presque Isle | 5109|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Huron |
Twin Lakes State Park | Houghton | 175|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Roland |
Van Buren State Park | Van Buren | 400|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Van Riper State Park | Marquette | 1055|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigamme |
Warren Dunes State Park | Berrien | 1952|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
Warren Woods State Park | Berrien | 311|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} |
Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve | Washtenaw | 1122|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | 2017 | Watkins Lake |
Wells State Park | Menominee | 678|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan | On Green Bay |
Wilderness State Park | Emmet | 10512|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Michigan |
William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor | Wayne | 31|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Detroit River |
Wilson State Park | Clare | 36|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Budd Lake |
Young State Park | Charlevoix | 563|acre|ha|disp=table|sortable=on|abbr=on}} | Lake Charlevoix |
1. ^1 2 Not listed by MDNR as of June 2018.
2. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Chapter_1_SCORP_224983_7.pdf |title=Michigan Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2018–2022: Public Comment Draft |publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources |date=August 31, 2017 |accessdate=June 28, 2018}}
3. ^1 {{cite web |url=https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/DNR-Accomps_557272_7.pdf |title=A snapshot of 2016 accomplishments |publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources |accessdate=June 28, 2018}}
4. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Chapter_1_SCORP_224983_7.pdf |title=Michigan's Public Land Base and Outdoor Recreation |work=2008–2012 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan |publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources |accessdate=February 19, 2010}}
5. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/SCORP-Executive_Summary_2008-2012-Final_212112_7.pdf |title=Executive Summary |work=2008–12 Michigan State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan |publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources |page=2 |date=October 1, 2007 |accessdate=February 19, 2010}}