One of my goals in life is to visit as many state parks and national parks as I can. After moving to Michigan, I quickly fell in love with the state. So, I decided to jot down which state parks I’ve visited, and embark on new adventures to explore them all!

I’ll drop some hints about which parks rise to the top of the list. Updated June 2023.

National Lakeshores & Forests

1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
3. Hiawatha National Forest, Upper Peninsula
4. Ottawa National Forest, Upper Peninsula

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Michigan State Parks

1. Wilderness State Park — The wildlife sings on this secluded beach with dark skies!
2. Duck Lake State Park — An intimate view of Lake Michigan away from the crowds
3. Grand Haven State Park — So crowded and noisy.
4. Hoffmaster State Park
5. Indian Lake State Park — The land here feels sacred and the forest feels healing.
6. Petoskey State Park — Steep inclines and some of my favorite hiking in the state.
7. Saugatuk Dunes State Park — One of my favorites for the varied natural landscapes along the lake.
8. Muskegon State Park — The dunes and unique features of the terrain beside this popular beach and lakeshore are incredible.
9. Sleepy Hollow State Park — So very family friendly, with a dog beach too!
10. Tahquamenon Falls State Park — Rivals Niagara Falls, for sure.
11. Mackinac Island and Fort Mackinack Historic Park
12. Newaygo State Park
13. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park — There is something almost mystical about this wilderness, and the views are some of the most impressive I’ve ever seen.
14. Presque Isle State Park — Hiking along the river is absolutely breathtaking! A lot of steps involved too.
15. Clear Lake State Park — Such a clear lake.
16. William Mitchell State Park
17. Bay City State Park
18. Fort Custer State Park — Fantastic waters and launches for kayaking and canoeing, with no motors permitted. The park also has some beautiful trails around the lake.
19. Interlochen State Park — Quite possibly the most beautiful forested lakeshore campgrounds I have ever seen.
20. Traverse City State Park — The views of the bay are outstanding, but no animals allowed on the beaches.
21. Ludington State Park — This park has so much to offer, from the classic views of the lighthouse in town to the dune climbs and hikes along the river under the forest canopy.
22. Silver Lake State Park — The place to go to romp in an ORV, but there are impressive dunes to climb too!
23. Straights State Park — Gorgeous views of the Mackinac Bridge.
24. Burt Lake State Park — The perfect spot for lake life, as long as you bring your beach towels or a boat and leave the dogs at home.
25. South Higgins Lake State Park — A beautiful hiking trail hides out beyond the popular attraction, and the water sports are incredible with rentals available. The water is some of the clearest I have seen in Michigan, with a fun shallow gradient.
26. Fisherman’s Island State Park — Beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline.
27. Hartwick Pines State Park — I finally made it to this gorgeous park which made it into my fiction writing, and explored the hiking trails in the winter. The old growth forest has a magical feeling, and the trees throughout the park just tower over you. So incredible!
28. Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park — Need to go back. “It’s kind of a funny story!”
29. Tawas Point State Park — This is my favorite spot on Lake Huron so far. The beauty on the beaches and sandbars beyond the lighthouse is amazing!
30. Seven Lakes State Park — Technically I’ve been to Seven Lakes but only driving by, really. I tried chasing Aurora here, and … there’s too much light pollution to have a good view.
31. Palms Book State Park — This gorgeous natural spring is a unique destination worth the trip!

Now Unfiltered

Michigan State Recreation Areas

1. Ionia State Recreation Area
2. Brighton Recreation Area — Just beautiful!
3. Waterloo Recreation Area — Very primitive feeling and a bit bizarre, especially when you consider the insect life. Awesome backpacking trails though, especially to The Pines!
4. Island Lake State Recreation Area — Quickly becoming a favorite spot to hike out to the small sandy coves and enjoy a peaceful swim!
5. Pinckney Recreation Area — Hilly hiking in Michigan with beautiful, varied terrain; a rare find!
6. Proud Lake State Recreational Area — With one visit to this park, I was amazed! It is beautiful year-round, and filled with so much invigorating evergreen air, so close to the city. I will be back!
7. Lake Hudson Recreation Area — So far south in Michigan. The skies aren’t as dark as you might hope.

Next Up:

• Port Crescent State Park
• Dodge #4
• Empire Bluff Trail

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