This was one of our first state parks to visit as new campers and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay!…read more They were so welcoming! Our campsite was well equipped and perfect for our family. The dump site was brand new and especially user friendly! The scenery was gorgeous. We were there a little late in the season, but the lake was still beautiful and we enjoyed watching all the wildlife.

Incredibly disappointing that their boat rental is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Wish that…read morewould've been mentioned on their website. Not everybody has time on Saturdays or Sundays to come out here to rent on top of having to pay $7 to get into this park.

Wonderful trails. We took the boardwalk which is uncovered and can be super sunny. The walk is easy…read moreand ends at a beautiful pond. There is a tiny bench, but you probably wouldn't sit there for awhile. Back by the entrance, there is a welcome center that has a picnic table in the back if you want to bring some snacks. No mushroom hunting. Parking - there is lots of parking! Bathrooms- there are bathrooms and they are nice.

This is definitely a hidden gem in St. Joseph County! Not far from downtown New Carlisle is this…read moregreat nature preserve. Your GPS may not correctly tell you where to turn, but there is a clear sign for the road to access the preserve. Near the small parking lot is a nature center building with restrooms, but it looked to be closed while I visited. Spicer Lake Nature Preserve has a variety of walking trails, including a nice boardwalk through the wetlands. Our group had fun spotting the birds, frogs and other creatures that call this place home. Note that you cannot access Spicer Lake, but you can view it from the boardwalk.

Wonderful visit, warm sunny day. Greatly enjoyed chatting with the head miller. He was full of…read moreinformation about the mill itself and expanded our knowledge of multiple grains while discussing bread making tips n tricks. We strolled a shorter bath but forgot our bug spray so didn't adventure into the woods. The gardens around the mill were picturesque and the mill store had a great variety. I would recommend a visit and be sure to engage the miller for all your questions !!

Well done tours of a genuine mill. Fascinating story behind the original owner! Great place for a…read morepicnic or a stroll - the grounds are beautiful. Check online for hours - not open every day (for tours).

If you're looking for a peaceful getaway, Grand Mere State Park is a hidden gem that delivers on…read moreall fronts. The park offers several trails that take you through dense forests and towering sand dunes which lead to some stunning overlooks and beaches of Lake Michigan. It's a bit of a trek to get to the water, but once you do, the lakefront is beautiful and less commercialized than other spots. Definitely recommend Grand Mere State Parkin for anyone in the area looking for a peaceful outdoor escape.

Path to Lake Michigan was flooded, water over your ankles. No easy path to Lake Michigan. A…read morehiker would love the up/down sand dunes.

Miles of great hiking trails and numerous scenic views…read more Skiing and biking also encouraged.

Such a Great place for birding and a nice walk. I love taking my granddaughter here to explore the…read morelittle nature center indoors and then go on a nice walk along the trails.

This place is great for hiking and meeting up with friends! I really enjoy all the flora & River.read more

The Black River Preserve is truly a spectacular place. The location of the preserve, along the…read moreLake Michigan coastal area, makes it a premier migratory songbird stopover. There is also great biological diversity ranging from poplars and redbud trees to hemlocks and birch trees. The Preserve encompasses 120 acres of rolling forest, meadows, and scenic tributary ravines. The trails are all marked and offer easy-to-difficult hiking options. We spent a Sunday afternoon in October walking through this magical preserve. The Mainstem Trail is the most direct route through the preserve. We traversed slops of the north and middle ravine and crossed streams along the way. We stopped at the "quiet spot" bridge and closed our eyes and just listened to the peaceful sounds of nature. The Black River Preserve is located on 8th Ave. in South Haven. There is a gravel park lot and a trail map posted at the trail head. If you are looking for a place to go for nature and a quiet atmosphere, be sure to check out the Black River Preserve.

My nieces + nephews and I decided to go on a hike on Saturday. Well, when we got there, they…read morechanged their minds and wanted to go home and get cozy. Not happening. So I took them out into the woods kicking and screaming ;) Auntie of the year! We compromised and made it a shorter hike but I enjoyed it! The trail we went on stayed mostly on the river and just slightly into the woods. Next time we'll go all in! The trails are well maintained and entry is only $4.

Reserved a shelter for our 30 year high school reunion. Best decision ever. There were plenty of…read moretables for us to feel comfortable. Group of about 50 people. We were close to a playground in Berta Shelter and restrooms were directly behind us. Restrooms were clean. Very pleased!

Located along the shores of Lake Michigan,this State Park has over 1500 acres of pristine beaches…read moreand sand dunes making it one of Michigans most popular State Parks. There is an admission free to enter. Plenty of parking available. We went in the Fall midweek so it was not crowded at all.

I'm a bit crowd phobic, and I spent 8 yrs of my life as a lifeguard. I think it's deplorable that a…read morestate park doesn't have lifeguards when there are literally THOUSANDS of ppl on this beach at one time. It makes me nervous and I couldn't really relax. There were a few dnr ppl roving around on ATVs. I found it unsafe that the dnr was not enforcing making sure that ppl don't dig giant holes on the beach, a bunch of kids dug one four feet deep. Kids, adults and wildlife can get hurt falling into holes. The dune is impressive but I have no desire to climb it. I like that there's a dog beach here, but holy moly is it crowded. It says on the website it's $11 to get in, but it was $ at the gate. Took forever to get in. It's just meh for me.