Michigan's Best State Parks
Ludington State Park
Six miles of Lake Michigan beach shoreline borders the park on the west for use
by both day-trippers and campers alike. Hamlin Lake, the largest man-made lake
in the Lower Peninsula, gives campers five more miles of shoreline access for
recreation. Hamlin Lake also provides a very unique canoe trail through pristine
wetland and island areas where wildlife and waterfowl are in abundance. In
addition, there are 16 miles of mapped and marked hiking trails threaded through
sand dunes and forests. The Great Lakes Visitor Center provides both day and
evening interpretive programs if visitors are in the mood to learn more about
the ecology and history of the area. To see a piece of history yourself, take
the trail that leads to the coastal lighthouse. Ludington State Park is open
year round and semi-modern camping is available through the winter, offering
electric hookups and rustic toilets. Winter activities include cross-country
skiing with several miles of groomed trails and a warming shelter. From
Ludington, take Lakeshore Drive north eight miles. Lakeshore Drive becomes
M-116.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
The largest state park in Michigan includes 58,335 acres of land located on
the west end of the Upper Peninsula. Located on the shores of Lake Superior,
this park offers old-growth forest, cliff-top scenic vistas, waterfalls, and
backcountry or modern campsites. Rustic cabins are available year round. There
are more than 90 miles of hiking trails, 26 miles of cross-country ski trails,
and 15 ski runs along a 641-foot vertical drop. The park also contains four
lakes, including the famous Lake of the Clouds scenic overlook. For educational
and historical purposes, the visitor center is not to be missed. Take M-107
three miles west of Silver City.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Park encompasses nearly 40,000 acres in the heart of Michigan's eastern
Upper Peninsula. Most of this area is undeveloped woodland and peatland without
roads, buildings, or power lines. The centerpiece of the park and the very
reason for its existence is the Tahquamenon River and its waterfalls. The Upper
Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Here, the river
plunges nearly 50 feet from a 200-foot-wide escarpment. During the spring
snowmelt, flows of more than 50,000 gallons per second have been recorded
thundering over these falls. As visitors walk from the parking lot to the
various viewing areas, they will find themselves beneath the canopy of one of
Michigan's largest uninterrupted old-growth hardwood stands. This unique 1,700
acre community surrounds the Upper Falls as well as the Lower Falls.
The Lower Falls are located four miles downstream from the Upper Falls, and consist of a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island. Although not as dramatic as the Upper Falls, they are considered by many to be more picturesque. The Tahquamenon River drains a watershed of approximately 820 square miles. From its source north of McMillan, it meanders 94 miles before emptying into Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay. The distinct amber color of its water is not rust nor is it muddiness; it is a result of tannin, a pigment leached from the bows of the cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees that inhabit the swamps drained by the river.
The Tahquamenon Natural Area lies north of the falls and Highway M-123 and covers roughly 18,000 acres surrounding Sheephead, Clark, and Betsy Lakes. This area contains a portion of one of the largest peatland landscapes in Michigan. Access is difficult, but an excursion into this non-motorized area can be extremely rewarding. Moose, black bear, osprey, bald eagles, and sandhill cranes all find this special habitat suitable to raise their young. Timber wolf, black-backed woodpeckers, boreal chickadees, spruce grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse are all animals of special interest found within this large peatland community.
Camping is available in the park at four campgrounds; two modern campgrounds at the Lower Falls and a modern and a rustic campground at the Rivermouth unit. Each of the modern campgrounds offers approximately 90 sites with electricity, a fire pit, table, and access to flush toilets and hot showers. Concession operations at the Upper and Lower Falls offer food services, souvenirs, and boat rentals.
Waterloo Recreation Area
The largest park in the Lower Peninsula, it includes 20,000 acres with 11 lakes,
47 miles of hiking trails, 13 rustic cabins, and numerous equestrian trails. The
Gerald E. Eddy Geology Center features year-round exhibits and nature programs
on Michigan's geologic history. The park offers a setting for a slew of winter
activities including snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. A boat launch is
available for water activities, and picnic areas complete with shelters are
available for gatherings. Because of the large size of this park, wildlife can
be seen throughout all seasons. To to Geology Center, take I-94 to exit 157
(Pierce Rd.) and go north to Bush Road. Take Bush Road west to Geology Center.
Return to "Best of the Best State Parks"
