5 Fabulous State of Michigan Parks!

A reader requested a list from me of the top 5 state parks in Michigan. We all have different thoughts about what makes a park great. I like parks with spacious campsites and recreation onsite or nearby. Following is a list of 5 of my favorite State of Michigan parks (in no particular order), and what makes them great. This list is based solely on State of Michigan campground parks, and does not include state forest, private, or national parks. I have been to about half of the State of Michigan campgrounds; mainly in west and northern Michigan. I have been as far south as Warren Dunes State Park and Fort Custer Recreation Area, as far east as Bay City Recreation Area and Harrisville State Park, and as far north as Copper Harbor in the Upper Peninsula.

Sunset at Fayette park from campground area 2015

Fayette Historic State Park, in Garden south of US-2 in the upper peninsula

We have visited this park by boat, and with two different campers. The park has 61 campsites with electricity, and 15 boat slips. The boat slips have undergone renovations since our last visit, and I assume they now have power. I could not find actual boat slip details on the state website; however, a few things have changed since we stayed in 2011: the rate has increased from $17 a night to $30 a night, and advance reservations can now be made for the marina, just like the campground. The campground rate is $25 a night.

Previous dockage in Fayette
Photo taken from edge of historic town in 2011

What makes this park great: The sunsets, historic town, visitor center, and hiking trails on 711 acres! 

Fort Wilkins State Park, Copper Harbor in the upper peninsula

This park is located at the northeastern tip of Michigan's upper peninsula. We have not visited since 2004, although I do not think it has changed much. The current photos and information online looks the same as I remember.

Secluded campsite #141 at Fort Wilkins State Park
Photo taken 2004

What makes this park great: Fort Wilkins, the lighthouse, hiking trails, private access to Lake Fanny Hoe, protected harbor on Lake Superior, and the fabulous campsites! Many of the campsites are paved, some have lake views, and most all of them offer some privacy.

Hartwick Pines in Grayling

This park consists of 9,672 acres located just north of town, and not too far from I-75. There are 100 campsites, and many of them have full hookup.

Logging museum at Hartwick pines
Photo taken 2015

What makes this park great: the visitor center, logging museum, 49-acre forest of old growth pines, hiking and biking trails, Glory and Bright lakes for fishing, beautiful fall colors, paved bicycle trail to town, and fabulous campsites! I do not think there is a bad campsite in this park. Many of the sites have lush grass with a camp pad, and most all offer some privacy. This is one of our favorite campgrounds to visit in the spring and fall.

Petoskey State Park

This 300+ acre park is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, along Little Traverse Bay. There are 180 campsites in two different areas: Dunes, and Tannery Creek. Tannery Creek accommodates larger campers than the Dunes campground.

Sunset from Tannery Creek campsite 164

What makes this park great: The beautiful sunsets, Petoskey stones on the beach, and the area bicycle trails, which can be accessed directly from Tannery Creek campground. Little Traverse Wheelway, Downtown Greenway, and North Western State Trail connect to downtown Petoskey, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, Mackinaw City, and several parks and towns along the way. Click the "Petoskey" label at the bottom of this post for more information.

Wilderness State Park at the tip of the lower peninsula 

This remote 10,000+ acre park has 26 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan. It has three separate campground areas, and many sites are on the water.

Water view of Big Stone Bay from campsite 84

Sunset from campsite 84

What makes this park great: waterfront campsites, which include new full hookup RV sites (A - R),  beautiful sunsets, boat launch for boating on Lake Michigan in Big Stone Bay and Sturgeon Bay, and the fabulous hiking trails!

And, bonus #6, because I could not narrow it down to just 5!

Harrisville State Park on Lake Huron

This park is located just south of town directly on Lake Huron. Despite having over 200 campsites, none which are full hookup, our wait time at the sanitation station when we departed on a holiday weekend was minimal. The process is well organized with a staff member directing RV traffic.

Northeast end of the beach on Lake Huron

What makes this park great: the nature area and trails, secluded campsites--many on Lake Huron, beautifully renovated restrooms and showers, town is within walking distance, and there is a winery across the street!

Please share your thoughts, and feel free to share this post for others!