MICHIGAN STATE PARKS

Dept. of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Division

Box 30257

Lansing, MI 48909-7757

517/373-1270 TDD 517/335-4632

800/447-2757

Over 60 cabins in 15 State Parks can be rented in Michigan. The rustic cabins are great bases for hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing or snowmobiling. The cabins are on quiet sites, comfortable for families. At some sites 2 or more cabins are close together, accommodating larger groups. The cabins have single beds or bunks with mattresses, table, chairs, and brooms, woodstoves and hand-pumps for water. All have woodstoves or fireplaces, but no utensils or linens provided. You must bring your own bedding, cookware, handsaw, and a portable Coleman-type stove for cooking. At the more remote cabins, the park may provide extra gear so you do not have to carry so much in. Cabins at Waterloo and Yankee Springs are heated with gas or fuel oil furnaces. Wood is provided at other cabins, except Porcupine Mt., which has no woodstoves in the cabins.

Telephone and in-person reservations can be made from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call the park direct. Most parks accept 2 night reservations only, except the Upper Peninsula parks, which take 1 night reservations. Cabin rental fee for all Trailside and Frontier cabins is $24 a night. Fifteen of Michigan parks offer Rent-a-Tents or Rent-a-Tipi for single, family or group camping. You must bring your own bedding, tableware, and other equipment. You are equipped with 2 folding cots, a tipi or tent with wooden floor, foam pads, and broom. For $3 extra you get a propane stove, lantern, and ice chest. A $20 deposit is needed to rent any additional equipment. The Rent-A-Tent and Tipi sites are $10 to $12 per site per night. Other camping sites in the parks are $9 a night. There is a $2 daily vehicle permit needed in most Michigan parks.

Mini-Cabins: Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas offer over 55 mini-cabins available for rent in parks, and they are smaller than rustic cabins, and are located in campsites within the campground area.

Bring your own bedding, cookware, tableware. A first-aid kit, lanterns, flashlight, axe and hand saw, and a portable stove are recommended. You get the same great features at each park as visitors in the cabins.

Mini-Cabins are located in the following parks. Note: No description presented in this guide on mini-cabin parks. Call for a brochure. Numbers in parenthesis denotes number of mini cabins in the park. If a park doe not have a numb designated, it means there is only one mini-cabin in the park.

Upper Peninsula

Minimum 1 night rental

Baraga , Brimley, Fort Wilkins, Indian Lake (2), McLain (4), Straits (2), Twin Lakes, Van Riper,

Northern Lower Peninsula

Minimum 2 nights rental

Bay City (2), Burt Lake, Clear Lake, Harrisville, Hoeft, Interlochen (2), Leelanau (3), Ludington, Mitchell, North Higgins Lake, Orchard Beach, Otsego Lake, Petoskey, Port Crescent, Sleeper, South Higgins Lake, Tawas Point (2) Traverse City (2), Wilson, Young

Southern Lower Peninsula

Minimum 2 nights rental

Fort Custer (2), Hayes, (2), Holly (2), Lakeport (2), Metamora-Haley (2), Muskegon (2), Proud Lake 92), Warren Dunes (3, with a minimum of 3 nights rental)

Limitations: Check in is 3 pm and check-out 1 p.m. Pets not allowed. Reservations limited to the number of beds.

Fees:

Reservation Fee - $5; changes - $4, Cancellation fee - $5.

Application: Call or visit the park and ask if suitable cabins and dates are available. If you make a reservation by phone, send a completed application and the total cabin fee to the park. If you send the application directly to the park, it is your responsibility to call the park and confirm the reservation.

Cancellations: Notify the park directly if you cancel. To get a full fee refund minus the reservation fee, you must notify the park 30 days prior to reserved date. If the cancellation is less than 30 days, one night cancellation fee is charge. If the park isn’t notified until after the first reserved night, the cancellation fee, plus the fee for each reserved night prior to notice is deducted from the refund.

BALD MOUNTAIN STATE PARK and Recreation Area

1330 E. Greenshield

Lake Orion, MI 48360

248/693-6767.

The park consists of 4,637 rolling acres in one of the most picturesque areas in SE Michigan. A modern, supervised shooting range provides opportunities for shooting skeet, plus trap and archery, rifles and handguns available. There are 15 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and 8 miles of cross-country ski trails. Fishing opportunities abound with 11 lakes and two trout streams. Take I-75 to exit 81 and drive N on M-24 2 miles. No camping in the park.

This 5,000-acre park, near Pontiac, features a shooting range, concession, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, snowmobiling, and beach house.

Cabins: There are 20 primitive cabins in the park, each sleeping up to 2 persons. Each cabin has a woodstove, bunks and mattresses, but no electricity or plumbing. The cabins are open year around, renting for $45 a night.

BRIGHTON Recreation Area

6360 Chilson

Howell, MI 48843

810/229-6566.

Features full equestrian facilities, including a riding campground, staging area and 18 miles of trails. Take I-96 to exit 147 at Brighton. Go W about 6 miles to Bishop Lake Road.

This 5,000-acre park features modern and rustic cabins, swimming, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and other activities in the Lower Peninsula.

Cabins: There are 2 cabins in the park, sleeping 8-20 persons. Each cabin has a woodstove, bunks, but no electricity or plumbing. The cabins are open year around, renting for $35-$50 a night. The park also has a Rent-A-Tent program.

CHEBOYGAN STATE PARK

P.O. Box 117, 120-A Street

Beach Road, Cheboygan, Ml 49721

616/627-2811.

Located on the straits of Mackinac, it boasts scenic Lake Huron beachfront and views of historic lighthouse ruins. Three rustic cabins are on the coastline along Lighthouse Point and close to a wooded hiking and cross-country ski trail system. Take US-23 S of Cheboygan 4 miles.

This 900-acre park features camping, hiking, swimming, beach house.

Cabins: The 3 cabins in the park sleep up to 8 persons. The cabins have woodstoves, bunks with mattresses, but no electricity or plumbing. The cabins are open year around, renting for $45 a night.

CRAIG LAKE STATE PARK

c/o San Riper State Park

P.O. Box 88

Champion, MI 49814;

906/339-4461.

The park is located in bear and moose country, and is ideal for backcountry camping and wildlife viewing. Take US 41>M-28 six miles W of Champion and turn N onto Keewaydin Lake Road. Go 12 miles, taking the left fork after five miles. The park is undeveloped except for trails and the two cabins

You must hike into this 7,000-acre wilderness area in the U.P.

Cabins: The 2 cabins sleep 6 and 14 persons, and are open only in the summer. The cabins have woodstoves or fireplaces, but no plumbing or electricity, and rent for $$35 and $45 a night. The area is very inaccessible, so get a Topo map from the park.

FORT CUSTER Recreation Area

5163 W. Fort Custer Drive

Augusta, MI 49012

616/731-4200.

The park features 22 miles of hiking trails, four miles of mountain bike trails and 16 miles of bridle trails. Trails are open for cross-country skiing in the winter. The park also rents three mini-cabins and three rustic cabins, with one rustic cabin along the banks of the Kalamazoo River. Take M-96 (Dickman Road) W of Battle Creek 10 miles.

This park of 3,000 acres features wildlife, nature center, horseback riding, snow-mobiling, and swimming, fishing, hiking and other activities.

Cabins: The 6 cabins sleep 6 or 12 persons each. A hike-in cabin sleeps 6. All cabins are primitive, with woodstoves, bunks, but no electricity or plumbing. All rent for $35 a night.

HARTWICK PINES Recreation Area

4216 Ranger Rd

Grayling, MI 49738

517/348-7068

The park was one of the few remaining tracts of virgin pines in the Midwest. Visit the Michigan Forest Visitor’s Center, a logging camp museum. The 9,782-acre state park offers hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Take I-75 N of Grayling and go E on M-93 two miles.

Cabin: There is one cabin with a capacity of 6 people. The fees are $35 a night.

HlGHLAND Recreational Area

5200 E. Highland Road, (M-59)

White Lake, MI 48042

248/6895-2433

The area has facilities for horseback riding, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. Temple Lake offers good fishing and a nice beach for swimming. Haven Hill Natural Area has an abundance of wildflowers and birds. Take M-59 (Highland Road) 15 miles W of Pontiac.

Cabin: The single cabin sleeps 6. Very little other information available because the area is closed most of the year. The cabin is primitive, with woodstove, no electricity or plumbing, and rents for $35 a night.

HOLLY STATE PARK

8100 Grange Hall Road

Holly, MI 48442

248/634-8811

The rolling hills provide scenic lake overlooks and excellent fall color viewing. Campsites vary from wooded to open and sunny areas. Take exit 101 from I-75, go E to Grange Hall Road, one mile to McGinnis road. Take McGinnis Road three-quarters of a mile to the park and entrance.

This 7,500-acre park, located in the lower SE peninsula, has a beach house, concession, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, swimming, snowmobiling, and other activities.

Cabin: The single cabin sleeps 6, and is very primitive, with woodstove, bunks, no electricity or plumbing. Rent is $45 a night. The park also has a Rent-A-Tent and Tipi program.

ISLAND LAKE Recreation Area

12950 E. Grand River

Brighton, MI 48116

810/229-7067

The area offers an "up north" experience in SW Michigan. Beaches, rustic cabins, trails, fishing areas and hunting grounds are a few of the year-around attractions. A canoe livery provides leisurely trips down the Huron River where canoe campsites are accessible only by river. From I-96 take exit 151 (Kensington road) and go S a half mile to the park entrance. No camping.

This 3,500-acre park features a beach house, swimming, hiking, skiing, canoeing, and other activities on the Huron River.

Cabins: The 2 rustic cabins sleep up to 20 persons, very primitive, with woodstove, bunks, no electricity or plumbing, and renting for $50 a night.

F.J. McLAIN STATE PARK

RR 1, Box 82, M-203

Hancock, MI 49930

906/482-0278

Located on Lake Superior, the park boasts beautiful views of Michigan sunsets. Park pastimes include swimming, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, hunting and viewing the lighthouse. Take M-203 N of Hancock 8 miles.

Cabin: There is one cabin in the park with a capacity of 8 people, with a fee of $50 a night, slightly higher during July and August.

ORTONVILLE Recreation Area

5779 Hadley Road, Rt. 2

Ortonville, MI 48462

248/627-3828.

This area offers outdoor recreational sports, swimming, hunting, fishing, and horseback and hiking trails, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. There is also a shooting range by arrangement. Take M-15 to Ortonville and go E on Oakwood Road 3 miles. Turn N on Hadley Road.

This 3 ,000-acre park in the SE. lower peninsula offers hiking, swimming and fishing in Minnewanna Lake, snowmobiling, and skiing.

Cabins: The 2 modern beach house cabins sleeps 20-24 persons, and is primitive, with no electricity or plumbing, but with wood heat and bunks, renting for $40 or $55 a night.

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS STATE PARK

412 South Boundary Road, M-107

Ontonagon, MI 49953

906/885-5275.

Located on the shores of Lake Superior, this 60,000-acre park offers towering old-growth forests, cliff-top scenic vistas, water falls, backcountry and modern campsites, more than 90 miles of hiking trails and 42K of cross-country ski trails, and 15 ski runs along a 641-foot vertical drop. The park also contains four lakes including the impressive Lake of the Clouds. The visitor center is a necessary stop to get oriented on park facilities and programs. Take M-107 3 miles W of silve city.

This 58,000-acre park is located in the U.P. near Silver City, and features camping, playgrounds, boat launch, beach house, interpretive center, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, skiing.

Cabins: The 16 rustic cabins sleep from 2 to 8 persons, and are primitive, with no electricity or plumbing. The cabins offer wood heat, kitchen utensils, and bunks, renting for $35-$45 a night.

RIFLE RIVER Recreation Area

P/P/ Box 98

Lupton, MI 48635

517/473-2258.

The park features 10 inland lakes and ponds for fishing, canoeing and swimming. The park is excellent for bird and wildlife viewing, especially along the 14 miles of hiking trails. Many of the trials are groomed for skiers. Most of the park is open to hunting and trapping during designated seasons. Take I-75 to exit 202 (Rose city) and go 20 miles N on M-33 to Rose City. Go E on Rose City Road (F-28 for 4-1/2 miles.

This 4,000-acre park in the lower peninsula offers a playground, hiking, boat launch, beach house, skiing, horseback riding and trout stream fishing.

Cabins: The 5 cabins each sleep 6 persons, and are primitive, with wood heat, bunks, no electricity or plumbing, renting for $40 a night.

VAN RIPER STATE PARK

P.O. Box 88

Champion, MI 49814

906/339-4461.

Located in a conifer and hardwood forest, the park offers a sandy beach, hiking trials and fishing spots in the heart of moose country. Take US-41, 35 miles W of Marquette.

Cabin: The park has one cabin with a capacity of 8 people and it rents for $45 a night.

WATERLOO STATE PARK

16345 McClure Road

RR 1, Chelsea, MI 48118

373/475-8307.

This is the largest park in the Lower Peninsula with over 20,000 acres. It has 11 lakes, 47 miles of hiking trials, 12 rustic cabins and numerous equestrian trails. The Gerald E. Eddy Geology Center features year-around exhibits and nature programs on Michigan’s geologic history. To the Geology Center, take I-94 to exit 157Pierce Road) and go N to Bush Road. Take bush Road W to the park entrance. Call the park for directions to the various campgrounds.

This 18,000-acre park features a nature center, boat launch, bathhouse, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing.

Cabins: The 12 cabins sleep from 4 to 20 persons. All are primitive, with wood heat and bunks, but no electricity or plumbing, renting for $35 a night.

J.W. WELLS STATE PARK

N 7670, M-35

Cedar River, MI 49813

906/863-9747

There are an abundance of waterfront campsites and rustic cabins on Green Bay, with 3 miles of shoreline to explore. Wildlife abounds in the area, which is ideal for hiking, bicycling on 7 miles of trails. Take M-35 30 miles S of Escanaba or 25 N of Menominee.

This 900-acre park features rustic cabins, beach house, boat launching, hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing.

Cabins: The 6 cabins each sleep 18 persons, and are primitive, with wood heat, bunks, no electricity or plumbing, renting for $24 a night.

WILDERNESS STATE PARK

898 Wilderness Park Drive

Carp Lake, MI 49718

616/436-5381

This nature lover’s paradise offers 36 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 16 miles of hiking trails and 9 rustic cabins to enjoy it in, some located on Lake Michigan’s shoreline. There are 12 miles of cross-country ski trails providing winter wilderness experience. Wildlife watching opportunities are excellent. Take Wilderness Park Drive 11 miles W of Mackinaw City.

This 7,000-acre park features nature studies, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, skiing.

Cabins: The 8 modern cabins sleep 4-8, or 24 persons. All are primitive, with woodstoves, bunks, and kitchen area, but no running water or electricity. Bring your own Coleman-type lantern. The cabins rent for $35 a night.

YANKEE SPRINGS Recreation Area

2104 Gun Lake Road

Middleville, MI 49333

616/795-9081

Located on Lake Charlevoix, this is a beautiful inland lake, offering boaters access to Lake Michigan. The lake offers an exceptionally diverse fishery. From US –131, go W on M-75 through Boyne City and continue W 2 miles on Boyne city Road.

The glacial period left natural features like Devil’s soup bowls )"kettle-like" formations) and Graves Hill scenic overlook. More than 15 miles of hiking trails, 8 miles of equestrian trails and 12 miles of mountain bike trails wind through the varying terrain. Winter facilities include 10 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and a snowmobiling area.

This 5,000-acre park, located on Gun Lake in the lower peninsula, features a beach house, swimming, hiking, and horseback riding, and fishing.

Cabins: The 27 modern and rustic cabins sleep from 4 -24 persons. The modern cabins have showers, and kitchens with refrigerator and stove. The rustic cabins are primitive, with no electricity or plumbing, but have bunks and wood heat. All cabins rent for $30-$65 a night.