Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park, a popular urban park, is just 2 miles from downtown Traverse City. The 75-acre park is home to a modern campground, mini cabins and a day-use area on the east arm of the Grand Traverse Bay. The day-use area is located directly across U.S. 31 and features a quarter-mile of sandy beach, a small beach house and a picnic area.
In addition, the 10.5-mile-long TART Trail runs parallel to the park, offering a paved urban route between Acme Township and Traverse City. The Leelanau Trail provides an additional 17 miles of paved trail between Traverse City and Suttons Bay.
The park, established in 1920 on about 16 acres of land after the logging industry began to wane, includes 30 acres of undeveloped woodland purchased in 2011.
An accessible playground is in the day-use area.
A beach house is in the day-use area, which is located directly across U.S. 31 from the park along Grand Traverse Bay. The beach house includes restrooms and a changing area.
The park is situated on the 10.5-mile TART Trail, a paved urban path connecting Acme Township and Traverse City. It also links to the Leelanau Trail, offering another 17 miles of paved trail to Suttons Bay.
Enjoy a mobile sauna experience in the day-use area side of the park. To make a reservation, call 231-409-9535. Visit michigansaunas.comfor operating hours
Fishing is a popular activity at the mouth of Mitchell Creek, located across U.S. 31 in the day-use area.
The entire park is open to metal detecting. Please review applicable regulations. Only registered campers can metal detect in campgrounds.
Kayak, bike and stand-up paddleboard rentals/tours are available through Paddle TC. Visit paddletc.com or call 231-492-0223 for more details.
Grand Traverse Bay provides great opportunities for paddling.
A pet walk area is located between the campground and U.S. 31 and can be accessed by the pedestrian bridge. 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.
A picnic area in the park’s day-use area provides picnic tables, grills and bathrooms.
The park’s sanitation station offers potable water and two lanes
A buoyed swim area is in the park’s day-use area on Grand Traverse Bay.
The modern campground is divided into three loops, including the west, central and east loop. The urban campground features wooded sites with lots of tree cover. A day-use area is located directly across U.S. 31 from the campground and includes a quarter-mile of shoreline along the east arm of the Grand Traverse Bay, a designated swimming beach and a picnic area. The central and east loops have 20- and 30-amp service and the west loop has 20-, 30- and 50-amp service. Recycling is available in the campground.
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Mitchell Creek mini cabin is located along the south side of the campground near the campground office. The cabin sleeps five people and includes two sets of bunkbeds (one double bed and three single beds). The cabin includes a mini refrigerator, microwave and electric wall heater. A picnic table, a fire pit and a waist-high cook grill can be found outdoors. The cabin has electricity. You must provide your own linens and cookware.
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Located in the modern campground and backing up to the woods, the mini cabin offers plenty of shade. Maximum capacity is four people, and each site may have up to two vehicles. The cabin includes a kitchenette (mini refrigerator and microwave), electric heater with a flat-screen fireplace, a ceiling fan, electrical outlets with USB ports and a bar area with stools. There is a bunkbed (full mattress on the bottom and a twin on top) and a futon.
A covered front porch, picnic table, fire pit and grill are found outdoors.
You must provide your own linens and cookware.
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While there aren't any upcoming park events listed at this time, you can check out the DNR's calendar of events.
The park also offers weekly nature programs not listed in the online calendar.
