Wilderness State Park
Michigan State Park · Carp Lake, Michigan
Wilderness State Park is a large, quiet park of about 10,000 acres on the Lake Michigan side of the tip of the Lower Peninsula, west of Mackinaw City near Carp Lake. It holds about 26 miles of shoreline that is mostly undeveloped: cobble and sand beaches, low dunes, cedar swamp and pine forest, and the long, shallow finger of Waugoshance Point. Offshore you can pick out the ruins of the Waugoshance lighthouse, and on clear days the Mackinac Bridge shows on the horizon. There is a modern campground with reservable sites, plus rustic cabins and bunkhouses that are among the park's real draws. It suits hikers, mountain bikers, paddlers, stargazers and anyone who wants space instead of a beach scene. Be honest about the costs: it is a long drive from anywhere big, the mosquitoes and biting flies are serious in early summer, and parts of the point are closed in nesting season to protect piping plovers. A Recreation Passport is needed; confirm current rules before you go.
903 Wilderness Park Drive, Carp Lake, Michigan, 49718, United States
The park is open year-round, and state parks in Michigan are normally open from about 8 in the morning until 10 at night for day use, though the Recreation Passport rule and gate practice are worth confirming. Campers can come and go after hours, and the park's dark skies are best enjoyed well after dusk, so plan to be on site late. The modern campground runs mainly from spring to fall; rustic cabins and bunkhouses can be rented in more than one season, but winter access depends on snow and plowing. Parts of the shoreline and Waugoshance Point can be closed in spring and early summer for nesting shorebirds, so check posted signs at the entrance and confirm with the park office.
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