Wilderness State Park

903 Wilderness Park Drive
Carp Lake MI, 49718

231-436-5381
TTY/TDD711 (Michigan Relay Center)

12800 (Acres)

Required

Wilderness State Park, located near Mackinaw City, is home to 26 miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, a vast trail system and unique camping opportunities.
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Event Information

Explorer Programs: Seasonal naturalists offer weekly nature-based nature programming Memorial Day through Labor Day. View weekly programming calendar (PDF).

More Information

Wilderness State Park, located just 11 miles west of Mackinaw City, is home to 26 miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, 20-plus miles of trails, a designated swimming and pet-friendly beach and unique camping opportunities. The park is also a designated dark sky preserve offering stellar views of the sky and is just 9 miles from Headlands Dark Sky Park (an Emmet County park).

From some areas of the park, you can see the 170-year-old Waugoshance Lighthouse (looking west) near the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge (looking east).

The terrain is a mixture of dense coniferous forest and mature hardwood forest, with pockets of open meadows and carpets of wildflowers in the spring. There is an abundance of small ponds mixed in with coniferous wetlands. Please pay attention to trail signage and carry a map.

track chair iconThe park's track chair – capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water – expands access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chair is available for visitors to borrow at no cost.

Campgrounds

Wilderness-Backcountry Camping
231-436-5381
(2)
Wilderness-Bunkhouses
800-447-2757
(3)
Wilderness-East Lakeshore Campground
800-447-2757
(250)
Wilderness-Full Hook-Up Campsites
800-447-2757
(18)
Wilderness-Pines Campground
800-447-2757
(99)
Wilderness-Rustic Cabins
800-447-2757
(6)
Wilderness-Rustic, Walk-in Tent Sites
800-447-2757
(25)
Wilderness-West Lakeshore Campground
800-447-2757
(71)
Wilderness-Youth Group Campground
231-436-5381
(1)

Trails

Wilderness-Big Stone Trail
Trail Length: 0.79 (Miles)
Wilderness-East Old Boundary Trail
Trail Length: 2.20 (Miles)
Wilderness-East Ridge Trail
Trail Length: 1.40 (Miles)
Wilderness-Hemlock Trail
Trail Length: 0.60 (Miles)
Wilderness-Nebo Trail
Trail Length: 2.40 (Miles)
Wilderness-North Country Trail
Trail Length: 8.50 (Miles)
Wilderness-O’Neal Lake Trail
Trail Length: 5.70 (Miles)
Wilderness-Point Road Trail
Trail Length: 3.50 (Miles)
Wilderness-Pondside Trail
Trail Length: 0.35 (Miles)
Wilderness-Red Pine Trail
Trail Length: 1.25 (Miles)
Wilderness-South Boundary Trail
Trail Length: 2.90 (Miles)
Wilderness-Sturgeon Bay Trail
Trail Length: 4.70 (Miles)
Wilderness-Swamp Line Trail
Trail Length: 1.90 (Miles)
Wilderness-Wiikenhs Trail
Trail Length: 1.00 (Miles)

About the Area

View Online Visitor's Guide

Activities (Display as List)

Biking Item is accessible.
Biking: Nebo Trail, South Boundary Trail, Swamp Line Trail and Sturgeon Bay Trail are two-tracks open to bicycles. In addition, many visitors ride along Waugoshance Point Road. Please note: all single-track trails are closed to both bicycles and mountain bikes.
Cross-Country Skiing Item is accessible.
Cross-Country Skiing
Fishing Item is accessible.
Fishing: The southside of Waugoshance Point is a popular destination for smallmouth bass fishing and fly fishing for carp
Hiking Item is accessible.
Hiking
Hunting Item is accessible.
Hunting: Hunting is allowed in the state park; however, you should call this park directly to inquire about any special rules, concerns or considerations.
Metal Detecting Item is accessible.
Metal Detecting: Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreation activity when it is conducted in ways that do not damage natural and cultural resources in Michigan state parks nor violate applicable state statutes. This park map clearly shows where this activity is allowed to take place. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation. Areas located within the campground are limited to registered campers only.
Nature Programs Item is accessible.
Nature Programs: Seasonal naturalists offer weekly nature-based nature programming Memorial Day through Labor Day. View weekly programming calendar (PDF).
Paddlesports Item is accessible.
Paddlesports: Paddling is a popular activity, but it’s recommended that paddlers stay in Big Stone Bay.
Pet-Friendly Area Item is accessible.
Pet-Friendly Area:

Two pet-friendly beaches are located in the park, including 1) the area just east of the headquarters building (adjacent to the picnic area and down a small path) and 2) an area on the west end of the East Lake Lakeshore Campground. The majority of the park's shoreline is open to pets September through March; however, the shoreline (other than the pet-friendly areas) is closed to pets April through August to protect endangered piping plover habitat.

Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control. All pet waste must be properly disposed of in trash receptacles.

Snowshoeing Item is accessible.
Snowshoeing
Swimming Item is accessible.
Swimming:

There is a designated swim area near the picnic area (just east of the headquarters building) that includes an accessible parking area, vault toilet and walkway to the water. An additional designated swim area is found in the modern campground’s west loop. A beach wheelchair is available to borrow from the campground host (campsite #416).

Please be mindful of Great Lakes beach safety. Pay attention to the beach flag warning system in designated swim areas; red flags indicate the water is unsafe and no one should swim in or enter the water.

Facilities (Display as List)

Boat Launch Item is accessible.
Boat Launch: A boat launch provides access to Lake Michigan on Big Stone Bay. There is an ADA-accessible vault toilet. Please note: the site is currently not usable due to high water conditions.
Cabins & Lodges Item is accessible.
Cabins & Lodges
Group Use Area Item is accessible.
Group Use Area
Picnic Area Item is accessible.
Picnic Area: There is a picnic area just east of the headquarters building, which includes picnic tables and charcoal grills.
Playground Item is accessible.
Playground: An accessible playground featuring swings, slides, trapeze rings and climbers is situated between the East Lakeshore and West Lakeshore campgrounds. The structure can be accessed by a ramp or transfer platform that makes access easier for persons of all mobility levels.
Rustic Site Item is accessible.
Rustic Site
Sanitation Station Item is accessible.
Sanitation Station: The park’s sanitation station is located across from the headquarters building. There is potable water available and three lanes.
Some Campsites with 50 amp Service Item is accessible.
Some Campsites with 50 amp Service
Vault Toilet Item is accessible.
Vault Toilet
Walk-in Sites Item is accessible.
Walk-in Sites
Water Access Item is accessible.
Water Access:

Enjoy 26 miles of sandy shoreline stretching along Lake Michigan, including Temperance and Waugoshance islands located off the tip of Waugoshance Point.

Please be mindful of Great Lakes beach safety. Pay attention to the beach flag warning system in designated swim areas; red flags indicate the water is unsafe and no one should swim in or enter the water.