Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Michigan
23

Michigan State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Michigan
Northeast Region
Bay City State Park
start slideshow
Bay City State Park © Joseph Cooley
Bay City State Park © Joseph Cooley
Bay City State Park © Joseph Cooley
Bay City State Park © Joseph Cooley
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
BAY CITY STATE PARK
BAY CITY STATE PARK
3582 State Park Drive
Bay City, Michigan   48706

Phone: 989-684-3020
Reservations: 800-447-2757
The Saginaw Bay Recreation Area is located on the shores of the Saginaw Bay. The park area includes over 2,000 acres of land featuring wooded wetlands, marsh ponds, gentle dune ridges and mile of shoreline. Recreational opportunities include swimming, picnicking, camping, hiking, fishing and bicycling. 193 electric-service sites, modern toilet/shower buildings, sanitary dump station, mini-cabins, organizational camp, amphitheater and playground. The Center featuring a hands-on museum, watershed exhibit and comfortable observation room for indoor bird watching. Nationally recognized as a birding "hot spot" throughout the year, birding is particularly spectacular during the spring and fall migratory seasons. Explore on your own or call ahead for a guide. now booking naturalist-guided field trips for school groups in the region. The programs are designed to teach and reinforce learning objectives in Michigan's Grade Level Content Expectations for Science and Social Studies, while offering children a chance to learn more about nature. Teachers may select from 32 different age-appropriate field trips options or may arrange for a customized experience to fit their students' needs. All programs are free. Metal detecting area.
Nature of the Area
Three observation towers, boardwalks, viewing platforms and shoreline spotting scopes help make wildlife viewing more interactive
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.
Visitors Center
Every visit to the park should begin at this award-winning facility. The center acquaints visitors with the unique natural features of the coastal wetland and the Saginaw Bay and provides interpretive program opportunities for visitors to discover the wealth of the wetlands! Inside visitors may explore the Jennison Exhibit Hall, shop at the Wetland Wonders Gift Shoppe, secretly view wildlife from the Wildlife Observation Room and the Marsh Camera, experience the panoramic, multi-image presentation, "The Saginaw Bay Story" and enjoy the changing lobby exhibits.
Camping
Bay City-Group Use Area(989) 684-30202 site(s)Group Use Area, Rustic Site, Vault Toilet

Bay City-Modern(800) 447-2757193 site(s)Campsites with 50 amp Service, Electrical Service, Mini Cabin, Modern Restrooms
Swimming
1. Bay City State Park offers a 1, 000-foot sandy beach for swimming.
2. Lifeguards are not provided at the park's swim area; visitors must swim at their own risk.
3. The water is shallow and warm near the shore making it suitable for children to play and swim safely.
4. There are designated areas specifically marked off as safe zones for swimmers in Tobico Lake within the state park.
5. Swimming outside these demarcated areas or after sunset is strictly prohibited by Michigan law enforcement authorities.
6. The Splash Pad provides an alternative option with sprinklers spraying cool water on hot summer days.
7. Bathrooms, changing rooms, picnic tables, and grills available nearby enhancing your day out experience while you enjoy swimming activities.
Boating
The park offers a variety of boating options for visitors. There is a boat launch available, providing access to Saginaw Bay and its many fishing opportunities. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular activities in the area's wetlands, with rentals available on-site during summer months. Motorized watercrafts can be used as well but must adhere to certain restrictions regarding speed limits within specific areas.
Fishing
Anglers can enjoy fishing in the Saginaw Bay for species like walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass. The Tobico Marsh offers pike and carp. In winter months, ice-fishing is popular too.


Location
Bay City State Park is located near Bay City, Essexville and Freeland

Day Use Area
Shelters

Five shelters are available for rent.

Playground

"Come Play by the Bay" is a community-built fully-enclosed and accessible playground that spawls over three acres. Swings, towers, bridges, slides and other creative play equipment will provide adventure and fun for the young and young at heart.
Picnicking
Visitors can picnic on the sandy shoreline of the Bay or under the shelter of lofty cottonwoods and ash trees which border the Tobico Lagoon. Picnic tables and fire pits/grills.
Trails
More than seven miles of trails help visitors explore the wetlands! Includes over three miles of paved accessible pathways, three observation towers, boardwalks, viewing platforms and shoreline spotting scopes. Bicycles and roller blades are welcome.

Bay City-Andersen Nature TrailTrail Length: 4.00 (Miles)Biking, Cross Country Ski, Hiking, Vault Toilet

Bay City-Chickadee Nature TrailTrail Length: 3.00 (Miles)Hiking
Bicycling
The three-mile Andersen Natural Trail follows a railway corridor and connects to the Bay City Trailway System to the south of the park. Bicycles are welcomed on established park roads and on trails designated for such use.
Nature Programs
A wide selection of K-12 wetland conservation programs are offered by special reservation. These programs provide hands-on learning opportunities designed to meet the Michigan Essential Goals and Objectives for Science Education. Call the Visitor's Center at 989-667-0717 for additional information.
Birding
The park offers a variety of birding opportunities with over 250 species recorded. It features the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail, which is home to numerous migratory and resident birds. The Tobico Marsh area provides excellent viewing for waterfowl and wading birds. There are also guided bird walks available during spring migration season.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
July 18 Bay City State park by Ringo
park review stars; one to five There is a lot of trash on beach and around picnic shelters. Im from out of state so I might have a higher standard of my State Park.
October 22 Love to bring my daughter there.
park review stars; one to five So I was born and raised in Bay City and I have gone to the State Park dozens of times. I am no longer a resident in Bay City i currently moved out to Vassar. But evertime I come int o Bay City I love to bring my daughter to the State Park to play on the wooden play ground as well as the splash area for the childre. I wish I could take my daughter to the beach and let her swim. I dont ever recall going in the water even when i was a little girl. I think the water should be cleaned up as well as the beach. There should be more activities for people to do maybe like a basketball court, volleyball court, maybe a pavilion out on the beach along with like a building for bathrooms and a concession stand for people who want to buy lunch or a snack. That would bring in great money for the State Park. You should also add a pool or like a mini water park in the open space you guys have near the wooden play area that also would bring in money. I feel like the state park needs some TLC dont get me wrong the park is beautiful but some more things for people to do would be awesome. Even putting like a ice rink outside some where so in the winter time you could rent out ice skates or people could bring there own and enjoy a winter day with some hot chocolate. Or maybe even some horse back riding would be pretty cool as well. We need something a change would be nice. I love our State Park and I believe there could be life brought back.
February 24 Very close to home... by Jerry
park review stars; one to five Camped there last year. Park is nice. Very nice sprinkler park for the kids. My wife and I will be back this year...
write a review read more reviews
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Linwood Beach Marina and Campground
135 South Linwood Beach Road
Linwood, MI
989-697-4415
Pinconning Park
3041 East Pinconing Road
Pinconning, MI
989-879-5050
Valley Plaza RV Park
5221 Bay City Road
Midland, MI
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

state route ranger badge
Michigan
23

Michigan State Parks

X