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    Mushrooms galore @ Leelanau State Park
    Amanda L.

    At nearly the tip of Leelanau peninsula you'll find this state park. It is very lightly trafficked since it is high up and there's like only one way to get here, so it's very fun if you're looking for some nature and far away from other people as well! We had a great time at this state park and did the overall loop around the park. At one point, you get some views of Lake Michigan, but other than that, the scenery leaves something to be desired. It's a bit one note, but sometimes, that's exactly the kind of hike you're looking for. This park is so well maintained as well! Overall loop was around 4 miles, so it was definitely a good amount of exercise! Tons of little mushrooms to spot and my dog had a blast!

    Cathy W.

    Our drive up was intentional and we were not disappointed. Clear views, beautiful grounds and wide open spaces make this a great place to relax and stroll and take in the natural beauty that is Michigan. Having a state park access sticker on our car's license plate made entry a breeze but even if you have stop and pay the small entrance fee, the friendly park staff make it quick and easy. There's a big playground adjacent to the parking lot so if you have wee ones that need to burn energy after being confined in the car, you're all set. The star of the show for us was the lighthouse! Simple lines, beautifully kept, it was a treat. There is a tiny gift shop where you can purchase bottled water and the things you would expect to find in a lightouse gift shop but like the lighthouse itself, it harkens back to a simpler time.

    Annette J.

    Lovely costal park at the tip of Leelanau near Northport. Right on Lake Michigan, this park has several lovely trails for hiking and exploring, the water for wading and animal viewing (watch under your feet for frog friends!), the historic Grand Traverse Lighthouse and surrounding grounds for a bit of history and exploration, and campgrounds if you want to stick around and soak it all in for a longer period of time (full disclosure, I've never camped here so I can't speak to that as part of this review. This is just a recap of a short afternoon of exploring adventures). Our pups loved wading in the lake, the light and sunset was incredible, and nearby Northport is great for snacks and supplies if you're planning on staying for more than a few hours. Tip: If you plan on going into the water bring some aquasocks with you since the rocky ground and plant life at the water's edge can be rough on the feet.

    From the Lake Michigan Trail
    Ali B.

    This is easily my favorite state park in Michigan. Not only is it a beautiful drive to get to, but the hiking trails were also lovely to explore. We took the Lake Michigan Trail which is roughly a 2 mile loop with a beautiful sandy beach. On a warm, Thursday afternoon in June, there were hardly any people around which was perfect for taking pictures of the clean beach and clear waters. We also stopped at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum which was full of great history. There is a small fee to the museum, but it is worth it to learn about the history of the area. Be sure you also have a State recreation pass to enter the park. My husband and I will definitely be back to explore some of the other trails the next time we make a trip up north. A must-see if you're on the Leelanau Peninsula!

    Mary S.

    This is one of my favorite lighthouses! We had the opportunity to stop in while we were in the area and lucky for me being afraid of heights this one was easy to climb to the top and view over everything!! I would definitely recommend anyone visiting this lighthouse it has great nature pass as well as two different buildings for you to explore it's very cheap and don't forget to pick up a "save the lighthouses" sticker on your way in or out of the lighthouse!! Also check out the super cute gift shop that had some great things to remember your trip by!

    Stephen T.

    Seemed remote as heck from Traverse City. The super-twisty roads did get kind of old toward the end. But all in all, worth the long drive. I drove up from Indiana in mid-May to check out the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. Kind of shocked that foliage vanished somewhere around Ludington -- there literally wasn't even a bud in sight on May 11. Totally bare trees, but the temperature was up in the 70s and skies pure blue. Leelanau didn't seem like a high-activity park, at least this early in the season, but it was pretty awesome to just sit down and listen to lake water without busloads of tourons or screaming kids. Also apparently beat the bugs. Saw a ton of ice floes on Lake Michigan. The Grand Traverse Lighthouse was really well kept up. Park was dead quiet. Maybe 10 other people out there on a Saturday afternoon. Honestly, I was just going to stop in to see the lighthouse, but stuck around for about 4 hours, and it's not big. Really sunk in pretty fast. Didn't notice anything in the way of trails, and the lakeshore is overgrown with shrubs, so don't come here looking for a "beachy" area. But the camping areas looked great, at least for tent or car-camping.

    Arthur M.

    I really felt far out there when I visited the Leelanau State Park. On the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, the historic Grand Traverse Lighthouse a beacon for many years to those entering the bay, this is about as far from Chicago and the civilized world, about as far back in time, as its possible to journey on Lake Michigan. The light was so dramatic that we stayed out along the shore for over an hour taking photographs of the seagrass and stones as they changed color in the early fall light. The natural beauty was unlike anything I had seen before.

    Airport.  Rocket t shirt.  Get it?
    Tristan H.

    I remember being at the Park when I was a child and during this particular summer the water levels were very low, so the beach stretched out for a mile before you encountered water. Containing as many rocks as grains of sand, you have to walk out a fair distance before you run into any drop off. My memory of that area is cemented in my long term memory because I managed to cut my heel on a sharp stone, so my father had to piggy back carry little me back to parking lot to patch me up. We don't camp so I can't comment on how fun or tortuous it would be to be on what we have heard is a fairly rustic campground. Our idea of roughing it is parking on a nice parking lot and toughing it maybe 50 yards to the lake's edge. Actually, since I'm such a flake about public bathrooms I'd probably be very unhappy camping. But the area is lovely and there is a lot to explore. Northport is south of the Park and is a decent place to find supplies (though I really prefer Sutton's Bay). One of the side reasons we went to the Park this year was to stop by the tiny fieldstone terminal (I suppose that is the best word for it) at the Clinton F. Woolsey Memorial Airport (which is about halfway between Northport and the Park). It is cute and quaint. As there was no one around, I peeked inside and saw nothing that suggested that it was habitable; rather, it seemed to be a storage area (e.g., three touring bikes, plywood sheets on sawhorses, a very nice stone fireplace). It's not really in the Park but is on the way to the Park, so since I see no separate link to the airport I'll include it here.

    Lake Michigan
    Stephanie H.

    This is a nice campground out on the Leelanau Peninsula. It does not have power and the toilets are all drop toilets. The camp sites are relatively secluded between sites. We went late in the season and camped in front of the lake. The scenery was breath taking but the wind off the lake does offer a bit of chill this time of year. The Grand Traverse lighthouse is located here as well, during season it has a gift shop and according to their fliers they have a volunteer lighthouse keeper program that families can volunteer to stay during the season. There is also a general park area that has a pavilion and plenty of things to do with children. This is a very beautiful area. I recommend making the drive to see the lighthouse and staying overnight at the campground.

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    8 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Nothing spectacular here. The lake is close and the beach is rocky. We checked it off the list. I wouldn't go back if I was in the areas.

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    4 years ago

    We enjoyed the ride stopped anywhere we could looking at all Mother Nature cool stuff going on all over

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    9 years ago

    tourist trap $9. The price doesn't even cover going up in the light house. There aren't any hiking trails.

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    Ask the Community - Leelanau State Park

    Review Highlights - Leelanau State Park

    Way at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula is a beautifully kept lighthouse, just waiting for you to tour it.

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    Barnes Park Campground - Sunset over the lake

    Barnes Park Campground

    3.5(27 reviews)
    11.2 mi

    Located on Grand Traverse Bay just north of Torch Lake. Barnes Park is open year-round offering an…read moreextensive Lake Michigan beach, playground, and trails, with additional seasonal camping and pavilion rentals (Memorial Day through October.) Various outdoor recreational activities including Lake Michigan beach access, trails, and playground. Electric and rustic campsites. Dump station & water fill station. They have a well stocked camp Store offering ice, firewood, beverages, candy, etc .. Each campsite is outfitted with a fire ring and picnic table. There were two bathhouses with shower facilities that were clean and ADA accessible. Showers are coin operated ($0.50 for 5 minutes of hot water, quarters only). Also two spacious pavilions with electrical outlets. Each pavilion has 10 picnic tables and 4 BBQ grills (You can reserve a pavilion for the day by using our online reservation.

    All ways a great place for camping Nice beach and showers…read moreto clean up after. Staff is way better cleaning then they have been in the past they make hourly rotation cleaning 2 things they need to fix one make it Easter to schedule other than some day in March at midnight absolutely stupid 2nd the fire wood has roaches and they get in your camper and vehicle then you bring them home they should spray and bug bomb that and the camp ground mosquitoes and roaches were thick I understand it's camping but man just hire a spray serves to spray the area once's a week

    Photos
    Barnes Park Campground - Walk down to the beach from bathrooms

    Walk down to the beach from bathrooms

    Barnes Park Campground
    Barnes Park Campground

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    Paradise Cove Campground - Evening fire and sunset looking over Lake Leelanau.

    Paradise Cove Campground

    4.2(5 reviews)
    27.2 mi

    We stayed two nights at Paradise Cove Campground in July of 2021. My husband and I were looking to…read moreget away for a weekend last minute and after calling around to a handful of places for camping which were all full (last weekend of the Cherry Festival), I reached out to Jerry of Paradise Cove and he was happy to host us. He and his wife, Barb, were so incredibly hospitable and kind - they checked the sites before we booked to make sure they weren't too wet (we had just come off a week with a lot of rain) and that they would accommodate our camper. He met us at the drive when we arrived to make sure we got parked okay (sites are on the smaller side, about 20 feet wide with large trees in between). And he even brought up a fire ring and firewood to our site when we asked about a place to have a fire! As they also own the Paradise Cove restaurant and marina just down the street from the campground, I'm sure they are busy folks and that makes this level of customer service that much more special! Currently the campground is under development, so only a portion of their current 16 sites are ready for use (some don't have electric service and they don't currently take tent or pop-up campers as there are no bathroom facilities). The view of Lake Leelanau from sites 1-10 is beautiful, the road the sites share with the residential neighborhood was quiet and peaceful, and it was a perfect jumping off point for the adventures we wanted to have in the Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, Leelanau Peninsula, and Sleeping Bear Dunes area. We look forward to seeing how the campground grows and to a return visit!

    We stayed twice last year and it's nice to see how they improved. New owners are really nice…read more Amazing views!

    Photos
    Paradise Cove Campground - Site 8 mid morning overlooking Lake Leelanau.

    Site 8 mid morning overlooking Lake Leelanau.

    Paradise Cove Campground - Morning light over site 8 view of Lake Leelanau.

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    Morning light over site 8 view of Lake Leelanau.

    Fisherman's Island State Park - Sunset at the public area right before entering park

    Fisherman's Island State Park

    4.7(16 reviews)
    13.4 mi

    This rustic state park is one of our favorites. The scenery is gorgeous, with miles of sandy and…read morerocky beachfront, walking trails, 5-mile road for biking and spacious wooded lots and a prized few water front lots. There is firewood and ice at the check-in station which is very convenient. T h e grounds are well maintained and the vault toilet stalls are mostly clean (though can become odiferous when the park is full). It is usually the case that visitors to the rustic parks are more respectful of the quiet. We are bird watchers and always love spying the eagles and variety of other birds in the area. Close to the town of Charlevoix, there are plenty of options for sight seeing, eating and finding supplies. Beautiful area of our state.

    If you love collecting Michigan rocks, come to this lovely state park. You can take the short trail…read moredown to the water, where you will find rocks om the sand. The park is secluded, and we only saw about 5 others there during the duration of our stay. It appears that because this location is not so heabily populated, you can find some Charlevoix and Petoskey rocks in the water as wel as on the rock bed. You just have to know what to look for. I suggest finding a walking stick for the water. It helps guide you, and it helps you move some rocks. The next time I come here I definitely want to bring a sifter because I saw so many cute tiny ones with the rock pile. My twchnique was to pull the ones near the water down, and I found quite a bit this way. James used the stick to look in the water, where you will find medium to large rocks. Overall the secluded atmosphere is soothing and relaxing.

    Photos
    Fisherman's Island State Park - Nothing like Lake Michigan sunsets

    Nothing like Lake Michigan sunsets

    Fisherman's Island State Park - Northern shore is both sand and rock.  Excellent for rock hounds

    Northern shore is both sand and rock. Excellent for rock hounds

    Fisherman's Island State Park - Public beach at south end of the park.  Sandy beach walking

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    Public beach at south end of the park. Sandy beach walking

    Wooden Shoe Campground - The lake

    Wooden Shoe Campground

    3.0(3 reviews)
    15.2 mi

    Love the view on the lake. The Wi-Fi is very spotty and not able to stream or connect in peak times…read moreand when camp is over 25% full. The restrooms are awful, the showers are awful, looks like black mold to me. Some prota-potties on site that are gross. Management is very nice. Owned by the Village of Ellsworth and seems like they do not like to spend money. Rates are going up a lot for 2025 I think. Very hilly in spots. I have seen some people leave as they can't level their unit. One guy lost his down the hill two weeks ago, so be VERY careful setting up. No laundry anywhere near. No Sewer hook up though they do have a dump station up the hill. TV is very SPOTTY too, Smart TVs do not connect all the time, and the antenna channels are tough to get. Sights are very tight. We camped at Wooden Shoe Campground in a Travel Trailer. There is fire pits and you can purchase wood from the managers or locally. 30amp connection that the breaker trips almost daily. Electricity and water are included.

    Site was very short with a large slope to the rear. Bathrooms/shower was clean. After seeing one…read moreof the reserved sites we had on 7/8/19 was even worse, went to cancel this site. Found out there's no refunds on early departures. If you have a tent, or one of the more level campsites, this place will work for you. Unfortunately, it did not work for us and would never consider camping there again. Only reason I gave it 2 stars was the internet on our crooked un-level site was very good. Never heard a word about free wood when we checked in, before seeing the campsite on the mountain.

    Platte River Campground

    Platte River Campground

    4.4(23 reviews)
    44.1 mi

    We were unfamiliar with this campground, but we made reservations months in advance for two nights…read moreof tent camping in June, 2023 in Loop 4 (site 418). And, we're so glad that we did. It's a wonderful campground that is well-maintained by the National Park Service. The sites are huge, with a lot of space between you and your neighbors. The pads for pitching your tent are equally large, flat, and sandy -- and each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The clean bathrooms and showers are down the road, as are heavy duty containers for trash and recycling. The Rangers at the office were very friendly, and helpful. They also warned us to be bear-aware, as bears had been spotted near the campground. (We didn't see any). Unfortunately, there weren't any nature programs during our 2-night stay but we were there mid-week. We were staying at this campground primarily to visit the main sites of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Most of the main attractions (Empire Bluffs hike, Dune Climb, Scenic Drive) are about ten or more miles away. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find a path adjacent to the campground that went down to Lake Michigan (about one mile each way). It mostly flat with walking in sand the closer you get to the lake. You could also drive down to a park at the end of the road. It's a wonderful place to watch the sunset. There are also nearby options for bicycling and kayaking. The campground is a bargain at $26 per night for tent camping. (You also need to pay the entrance fee for the national park). There was a nice mix of other campers ... solos with a dog or two; retirees; and young families. All were quiet and abided to the rules for quiet hours and no generators in loop 4. We also lucked out with respect to the lack of bugs. We had been fighting mosquitos and midges in other wooded areas in northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, but hardly had any insect issues at this campground. Two things worth mentioning. (1) Given the warnings about being bear aware, the NPS should consider installing bear boxes at each site for the storage of food and other scented items. (2) Firewood can be purchased at a "vending machine" for $7. While the machine for traditional firewood was working, the one for a composite substitute that we wanted to try had a broken credit card reader (and we didn't have the right denominations to pay cash). Overall, a great trip!

    Stayed here with my husband & our friends over the summer & had a great time! The bathrooms &…read morecampsites were clean. The sites themselves are a bit small. With 4 people, 2 tents, & a canopy, we were pretty cramped, but able to make it work! There was a trail leading to a beautiful beach area & Lake Michigan. The place for kayak/canoe rental is a super short drive & is also a general store & ice cream shop! We had such a great time & can't wait to go back! Sites book up REALLY fast, so if you are thinking of booking definitely do it well in advance!

    Photos
    Platte River Campground
    Platte River Campground
    Platte River Campground

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    Leelanau State Park - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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