Not Required

Activities (Display as List)

Boat Rental Item is accessible.
Boat Rental:

JR’s Concessions offers watercraft rentals at the beach house in the day-use area on Portage Lake mid-May through early October. For more info, call 231-843-1888.

In addition, watercraft rentals for campers only are available at the Sugarloaf Lake Campground. Please make reservations at the campground office. For more info, call 734-355-0784.

Cross-Country Skiing Item is accessible.
Cross-Country Skiing: All trails are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; however, they are not groomed. View the recommended cross-country ski trails.
Disc Golf Item is accessible.
Disc Golf: An 18-hole disc golf course, located in the Portage Lake day-use area, is open all year.
Equestrian Item is accessible.
Equestrian:

There are 20 miles of horseback riding trails easily accessible from two staging areas, one located off Loveland Road and the other located off Maute Road.

Thanks to the Waterloo Horseman’s Association, which helps support equestrian activities in the park!

Fishing Item is accessible.
Fishing: Fishing is a popular activity in the park. Bass, panfish and pike are common in the many lakes.
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.
Mountain Biking Item is accessible.
Mountain Biking
Nature Programs Item is accessible.
Nature Programs: Professional interpretive naturalists lead weekly nature-based programming (PDF) based out of the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center.
Paddlesports Item is accessible.
Paddlesports:

There are paddling opportunities on the 11 inland lakes located within the park.

JR’s Concessions offers watercraft rentals at the beach house in the day-use area on Portage Lake mid-May through early October. For more info, call 231-843-1888.

Snowmobiling Item is accessible.
Snowmobiling: The majority of the park is open to snowmobiling. The park’s snowmobile map differentiates areas where the activity is permitted from areas closed to snowmobiling.
Snowshoeing Item is accessible.
Snowshoeing
Swimming Item is accessible.
Swimming: There are two designated swim areas in the park, one in the Portage Lake day-use area and the other (for campers only) in the Sugarloaf Campground.

Facilities (Display as List)

Beach House Item is accessible.
Beach House: The beach house is in the day-use area on Portage Lake and includes restrooms, boat rentals, changing stalls and a concession store.
Boat Launch Item is accessible.
Boat Launch:

There are public boat launches located on Big Portage, Cedar, Doyle (carry-down launch), Green, Crooked, Mill, Mud, Walsh, Sugarloaf (Sugarloaf campers only) and Winnewana lakes.

A handful of the sites are accessible, including Big Portage, Green, Crooked, Sugarloaf (Sugarloaf campers only) and Winnewana lakes.

Cabins & Lodges Item is accessible.
Cabins & Lodges
Concession/ Store Item is accessible.
Concession/ Store: JR’s Concessions, located at the beach house in the day-use area on Portage Lake, offers food concessions, grocery items, camping supplies and boat rentals.
Equestrian Camping Item is accessible.
Equestrian Camping
Fishing Pier Item is accessible.
Fishing Pier: An accessible fishing pier is located at Crooked Lake.
Group Use Area Item is accessible.
Group Use Area
Modern Restrooms Item is accessible.
Modern Restrooms: There is a modern restroom located at the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center.
Picnic Area Item is accessible.
Picnic Area: There are picnic areas, located in the Crooked Lake and Portage Lake day-use areas, that include picnic tables and charcoal grills available first come, first served.
Picnic Shelter Item is accessible.
Picnic Shelter: There are two picnic shelters located in the Portage Lake day-use area. Shelters can be reserved up to a year in advance by calling 1-800-447-2757 or visiting MiDNRReservations.com.
Playground Item is accessible.
Playground: A playground is located in the Portage Lake day-use area.
Rustic Site Item is accessible.
Rustic Site
Sanitation Station Item is accessible.
Sanitation Station: The park’s sanitation stations are located at Portage Lake and Sugarloaf Lake campgrounds. Each has potable water and two lanes.
Vault Toilet Item is accessible.
Vault Toilet
Visitor Center Item is accessible.
Visitor Center: The Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, located at 17030 Bush Road in Chelsea, introduces visitors to the fascinating world of geology and to the diverse natural habitats found within Waterloo's 20,000-plus acres.
Walk-in Sites Item is accessible.
Walk-in Sites
Water Access Item is accessible.
Water Access: The park is home to 11 inland lakes, including Portage Lake and Sugarloaf Lake, which both offer designated swim beaches. There is a public day-use area on Portage Lake and a campers-only designated swimming beach at Sugarloaf Lake.
Yurt Item is accessible.
Yurt