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 buoyed swimming area, a 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. 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.
Wilderness State Park has rustic cabins, some dating back to the Civilian Conservation Corps. Watch a story of one family's tradition.
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.
Near the picnic area, you'll find a buoyed swim area with accessible parking, a vault toilet and a walkway to the water. Another swim area is in the west loop of the modern campground. A beach wheelchair is available to borrow from the campground host (campsite #416).
The park's track chair expands access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chair is available for visitors to borrow at no cost.
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.
A boat launch provides access to Lake Michigan on Big Stone Bay. There is an ADA-accessible vault toilet.
The southside of Waugoshance Point is a popular destination for smallmouth bass fishing and fly fishing for carp
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 is allowed in certain park areas. Please consult the park map for designated locations and review applicable regulations. Only registered campers can metal detect in campgrounds.
Seasonal naturalists offer nature-based programming at the park during the summer and/or fall. Check the park's explorer program calendar for dates, locations and topics.
Paddling is a popular activity, but it’s recommended that paddlers stay in Big Stone Bay.
The park features two pet-friendly beaches: one just east of headquarters (near the picnic area and down a short path) and another near the west end of the East Lakeshore Campground. To protect endangered piping plovers and their habitat, pets are prohibited on all other park shorelines April 15 through August 31, except at the designated dog beaches. Pets are welcome on most shorelines from September through March. 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.
There is a picnic area just east of the headquarters building, which includes picnic tables and charcoal grills.
The park’s sanitation station is located across from the headquarters building. There is potable water available and three lanes.
Enjoy 26 miles of sandy shoreline stretching along Lake Michigan, including Temperance and Waugoshance islands located off the tip of Waugoshance Point.
East Lakeshore Modern Campground, sites 301-365, offers modern amenities including an accessible toilet and shower building (mid-May to mid-October), dishwashing, a sanitation station, an accessible playground and four ADA-accessible sites with concrete pads. Electrical hookups are available, with 13 sites offering 50-amp service and the rest providing 20- or 30-amp. The campground was fully remodeled in 2022.
Persons making reservations on an ADA site must have an ADA license plate or placard.
Sites 364 and 365 are tent-only, walk-in sites without electricity but use of the accessible modern toilet and shower building. Two designated parking spots for each of these two sites are located in the day use parking lot.
It's a short walk between the campground and the shoreline; however, there's a wood line between that limits views of the lake from the campground.
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Pines Loop Modern Campground, sites 501-599, is located across the county road from East and West Lakeshore campgrounds. The spacious sites offer varying shade levels, from partial shade to full sun, and all feature 20- and 30-amp electrical service.
Modern restrooms are available mid-May through mid-October, you may contact the park for exact dates.
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The walk-in, tent-only campsites (#101-125) offer a secluded experience, requiring a short walk of 15 to 150 yards from designated parking. Vehicle camps of any type, including tents attached to vehicles, are not allowed in this campground. These spacious sites are suitable for both individual and group camping. Two ADA-accessible sites are available within this area.
There's no modern restrooms or showers' however, there's a vault toilet. There's also access to a jug filler for drinking water.
Persons making reservations on an ADA site must have an ADA license plate or placard.
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Designed for youth groups up to 72, this rustic campground offers basic amenities. This site includes picnic tables, fire pits, two vault toilets, charcoal grills, and a hand-pump for drinking water. Due to health department occupancy restrictions, use of modern toilet/shower buildings in other park campgrounds is prohibited.
Reservation for youth groups can be made up to six months in advance. Starting April 1st each year, non-youth groups can reserve remaining summer dates.
To reserve the group camp area, please call the park.
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The West Lakeshore Modern Campground, sites 401-471, offers stunning Lake Michigan views, with many sites directly overlooking the shoreline. This campground features an accessible toilet and shower building, and provides a range of electrical hookups: all sites have 20- and 30-amp service, with 19 sites also offering 50-amp service. The campground was fully remodeled in 2019.
Modern restrooms are available mid-May through mid-October.
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Two backcountry campsites are available within the park, one being East Boundary. Located along the North Country Trail, just east of the East Boundary Trail, this site features a fire ring and a composting toilet consisting of an open-air toilet riser on a wood platform without walls or roof over a composting pit. It's a 3/4-mile hike from the East Boundary Trailhead parking lot to the campsite.
Bear poles are provided for proper food storage, requiring bags to be suspended at least 12 feet high and away from the tree.
Reservations can be made by calling the park.
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Bear poles are provided for proper food storage, requiring bags to be suspended at least 12 feet high and away from the tree.
Reservations can be made by calling the park.
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This Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabin offers a stunning Straits of Mackinac experience, perched on a wooded bluff just 100 yards from the shoreline. Enjoy panoramic views of the Mackinac Bridge, the Upper Peninsula and Waugoshance and White Shoals lighthouses.
This rustic one-room cabin sleeps eight in four bunk beds and includes a table, chairs, countertop and wood stove. Kiln-dried firewood is provided for winter heating. Outside, a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill await. For outdoor fires, please purchase local firewood.
Summer parking accommodates four vehicles; winter access is by foot, snowshoe, ski or snowmobile.
Snowmobile use is limited to the route between the winter parking area and the cabin.
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This Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabin offers a stunning Straits of Mackinac experience, situated on top of a hill in a mature red pine forest about two miles into the interior of the park. It's located along the Nebo Trail, which is a designated cross-country ski trail.
This rustic one-room cabin sleeps five in one single and two bunk beds and includes a table, chairs, countertop and wood stove. Kiln-dried firewood is provided for winter heating. Outside, a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill await. For outdoor fires, please purchase local firewood.
Summer parking accommodates four vehicles. Winter access is available by cross-country ski or snowshoe only.
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This Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabin offers a secluded setting in a mixed conifer forest along the Straits of Mackinac. A short walk to the shoreline offers views of the Mackinac bridge to the east, the Upper Peninsula to the north and Waugoshance and White Shoals lighthouses to the west.
This rustic one-room cabin sleeps eight in four bunk beds and includes a table, chairs, countertop and wood stove. Kiln-dried firewood is provided for winter heating. Outside, a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill await. For outdoor fires, please purchase local firewood.
Summer parking accommodates four vehicles; winter access is by foot, snowshoe, ski or snowmobile. At .75 miles from the winter parking lot, this cabin offers the shortest hike-in distance of all the park’s cabins.
Snowmobile use is only permitted between the winter parking area and the cabin.
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This Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabin offers a lovely setting where you can view the Straits of Mackinac from inside the cabin.
This rustic one-room cabin sleeps four in two bunk beds and includes a table, chairs, countertop and wood stove. Kiln-dried firewood is provided for winter heating. Outside, a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill await. For outdoor fires, please purchase local firewood.
Summer parking accommodates four vehicles; winter access is by foot, snowshoe, ski or snowmobile.
Snowmobile use is only permitted between the winter parking area and the cabin. This cabin is 2 miles from the winter parking lot.
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This Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabin is located near Lake Michigan’s Sturgeon Bay. The location offers excellent wildlife viewing and birding opportunities.
This rustic one-room cabin sleeps five (single bed and two bunk beds) and includes a table, chairs, countertop and wood stove. Kiln-dried firewood is provided for winter heating. Outside, a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill await. For outdoor fires, please purchase local firewood.
Summer parking accommodates four vehicles; winter access is by foot, snowshoe, ski or snowmobile.
Snowmobile use is only permitted between the winter parking area and the cabin. This cabin is 3.5 miles from the winter parking lot.
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This Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabin is situated on the wood line of a mixed conifer and the open dunes along the Straits of Mackinac. From inside the cabin, you will have views of both the open dunes and the Straits of Mackinac.
This rustic one-room cabin sleeps eight in four bunk beds and includes a table, chairs, countertop and wood stove. Kiln-dried firewood is provided for winter heating. Outside, a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill await. For outdoor fires, please purchase local firewood.
Summer parking accommodates four vehicles; winter access is by foot, snowshoe, ski or snowmobile.
Snowmobile use is only permitted between the winter parking area and the cabin. This cabin is 2.5 miles from the winter parking lot.
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Near the Pines Campground, three single-room historic Civilian Conservation Corps bunkhouses offer rustic group lodging. Each one-room bunkhouse accommodates 20 guests in 10 bunk beds and includes a folding cafeteria table and 12 chairs. Electricity is provided for lights, a ceiling fan and outlets, but there is no running water. Water is available seasonally at the nearby campground and year-round at park headquarters. Each bunkhouse has an outdoor fire pit, picnic table, and charcoal grill. Vault toilets are located nearby. Limited parking is available year-round.
Bunkhouse 1 and 3 are heated by a wood burning fireplace (wood is provided during the colder months for heat) and Bunkhouse 2 is heated with a propane fireplace insert.
Guests must bring their own linens, cookware and supplies.
Guests are expected to clean the cabin, toilets and surrounding area before checking out. All garbage is to be removed to the dumpsters that are located along the drive to the bunkhouses.
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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.
