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Michigan State Parks

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Leelanau State Park
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Leelanau State Park © Royalbroil / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This file was uploaded with Commonist.
Leelanau State Park © Guettarda / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hiking trail in Leelanau State Park during Fall
Leelanau State Park © Richard Hurd / CC BY 2.0
Leelanau State Park © prettyemmy / CC BY 2.0
Leelanau State Park © prettyemmy / CC BY 2.0
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LEELANAU STATE PARK
LEELANAU STATE PARK
15310 N. Lighthouse Point Road
Northport, Michigan   49670-9717

Phone: 231-386-5422
Reservations: 800-447-2757
Welcome to Leelanau State Park, located at the tip of the little finger on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula, where over 1,300 acres are waiting for visitors to enjoy. The word "Leelanau" is the Native American word for "A Land of Delight" and could not better describe the area. The park has the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, a rustic campground, two mini cabins, 8.5 miles of hiking/skiing trails and a picnic area. Petoskey stones can be found along the shoreline.
Passes
The Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. Details and information on how to obtain your Michigan Recreation Passport can be found by visiting the MICHIGAN RECREATION PASSPORT web page.
Camping
Leelanau-Rustic(800) 447-2757 52 site(s)Mini Cabin, Rustic Site, Vault Toilet
Swimming
1. Leelanau State Park offers a variety of swimming options for visitors.
2. The park is located on the tip of Michigan's "little finger" peninsula, providing access to Lake Michigan.
3. Visitors can swim in the crystal-clear waters along miles of sandy shoreline at Cathead Bay and Peterson Beach.
4. There are no lifeguards present; therefore, swimmers should exercise caution when entering water bodies within the park area.
5. Swimming conditions may vary depending upon weather patterns and lake currents so it's advisable to check before diving in.

Boating
The park, located in Michigan, offers a variety of boating options. Visitors can launch their boats from the nearby Northport Marina which provides access to Lake Michigan. However, there are no boat launches within the park itself and motorized watercrafts aren't allowed on Peterson Park's beach area or any other beaches inside it due to safety reasons.
Fishing
This park offers some deer and rabbit hunting, with opportunity for woodcock, duck, goose, and squirrel as well. Mud Lake offers the best trapping opportunities. The terrain is a mixture of open brush land to mature hardwood forest with some pockets of open meadows mixed in.


Location
Leelanau State Park is

Picnicking
1. Leelanau State Park offers numerous picnic areas with tables and grills.
2. Enjoy a lakeside meal at the beach area's designated picnicking spots.
3. Picnic while enjoying views of Grand Traverse Lighthouse within the park.
4. The rustic campground has fire pits for outdoor cooking or barbecuing sessions.
5. Many hiking trails have scenic overlooks perfect for an impromptu picnic lunch stopover.

Trails
Approximately 8.5 miles of trails are available for hiking. A small section of the trail is ADA accessible.

Leelanau- Foot Trails Trail Length: 8.50 (Miles)Cross Country Ski, Hiking
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts should be aware that the park's terrain is quite rugged. It offers a challenging ride for experienced cyclists.

The trails are not paved, but rather consist of dirt and gravel paths. This can make cycling more difficult.

There aren't any designated bike rentals within the vicinity, so visitors must bring their own equipment if they wish to cycle here.

Cyclists need to share these trails with hikers and runners; therefore caution while biking is highly recommended at all times.

It's important to note there isn't an extensive network of bicycle-friendly routes in this area compared to other parks around Michigan.

Remember: always wear protective gear when bicycling on uneven terrains like those found throughout this natural reserve.

Lastly, it's advised you carry water as amenities may be sparse along your route due its remote location.
Cross-country Skiing
Approximately 8.5 miles of groomed trails for cross country skiing run through the park.
Birding
Located in Michigan, the park offers birding opportunities with over 200 species spotted. It features a diverse habitat including forests and shorelines attracting various birds like warblers and waterfowl. The park's lighthouse is also known for hawk watching during migration season.
Area Attractions
Visit the restored Grand Traverse Lighthouse and fog signal building during your visit. The Lighthouse is operated by the non-profit Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum organization.

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Area Campgrounds
Thurston Park Campgrounds
Old State East at Lake Street
Central Lake, MI
231-544-6854
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Michigan
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Michigan State Parks

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