One of our favorite camping and wildlife getaways here in Michigan has to be Mitchell State Park. With over 300 acres and two lakes to choose from, boating and hiking options never looked so good. Located just outside Cadillac in the Lower Peninsula, this gorgeous location provides breathtaking views, scenic water life, calm beaches, and relaxing campsites for your RV. The staff has also put together programs for young and old alike, such as archery or fishing.
Camping
There are 221 campsites within Mitchell State Park, many of which are shaded and feature 50-amp electric hookups, costing from $30-35 nightly. You’ll find modern toilet buildings, showers, and sanitation stations. Eight of the campsites are wheelchair-accessible. A mini-cabin and a camper cabin are also available for rent for around $90/night. There is a lot of room for large rigs, but still quite a bit of old school tent camping going on, and plenty of good places to eat nearby if you don’t feel like cooking one night. In the summer months, a farmer’s market is within walking distance, which is great for bringing fresh meat and produce back to your campsite. Plan on spring or fall to miss the crowds, if you are seeking peace and quiet on your trip!
Fishing
Head to the two connected lakes, Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac, for some fantastic walleye fishing. Lake Cadillac spans over a thousand acres and is a great place to fish for perch, panfish, and bass. Additionally, the two boat launches make the lakes perfect for water sports. If you can reserve a canal lot, you can camp with your boat just steps away tied up along the many spots on the canal. No need to load and unload every time you go out!
Boat Launch
There are boat launch facilities on Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, which allow easy access to water sports and fishing activity. This is the perfect place for kayaking or paddle boarding!
Hiking
The Heritage Nature Trail starts at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center and is about 2.5 miles long. The trail is actually a wildlife study area that supports a variety of plants and wildlife, including whitetail deer, wild turkeys, beavers, great blue heron and other species of waterfowl. The trail is mostly a wood chip path with bridges and boardwalks for an easy hike or bike around the wetland areas. The path can accommodate a jogging stroller, but there are no outhouses along the trail, so be sure to use bathrooms prior.
Metal Detecting
When done in such a way that it doesn’t damage or harm the natural and cultural resources in Michigan State Parks, metal detecting is a legitimate recreation activity. To go metal detecting in Mitchell State Park, refer to the map for appropriate places within the park where metal detecting is allowed. If you find items, the park staff must review them and they are allowed to keep them for further study if necessary.
Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center
The Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center documents the history of hunting and fishing in the state of Michigan. Open year round, visitors can tour an exhibit hall that displays local wildlife species, listen to seminars, watch audio-visual presentations, and join interactive workshops. The auditorium features a short multimedia show that focuses on the role that sportsmen and sportswomen play in helping to preserve and restore Michigan’s wildlife and fishery resources.
Directions
The park is located three miles north on M-115 from US 131. Let us know if you have visited, and how your stay was in the comments below!
