Wilderness State Park

Wilderness State Park

Michigan, USA

If you like to camp right on the beach of beautiful Lake Michigan then Wilderness  State Park is the place to go. With a refreshing lake breeze waving the birch tree leaves on the nicely developed sand dunes it’s the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring Mackinaw City and Fort Michilimackinac just  11 miles to the east.  It’s over 4400 acres of stony sand dunes, mixed woodland wetlands and swale areas that provide a home to black bears, otters, deer, muskrats, herons,mink and bobcat.  In 1997 a USCG pilot reported sighting a pair of wolves on the point. The Michigan DNR has never confirmed evidence of wolves on the lands.

One of the most interesting aspects of the park is the Piping Plovers.  The sand dunes and sloping beaches provide some of the best habitat in Michigan for the federally endangered piping plover. Almost the entire shoreline of the natural areas is designated as critical habitat for the piping plover. The piping plover is a lovely bird to watch and hear. They nest on the ground and a typical clutch is 4 black speckled eggs. These birds are very good parents even before the chicks have broken free from their shells. The mother often fly around would be predators fanning an injured wing to lure the hunter away from the nest and focus their attention on the mother. It’s quite an interesting sight to see.

 Whether it’s hiking, birding, swimming, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing that interests you stop by Wilderness State Park for some outdoor fun when in northern Michigan.

-          Bob Clark