TRAVERSE CITY STATE PARK
Traverse City State Park features a quarter mile of beautiful beach on the Grand Traverse Bay. The park is only two miles from downtown Traverse City, one of the most popular resort towns in Michigan. The campground is open year round with heated restrooms.
The park was established in 1920 on about 16 acres of land after the logging industry in the area began to wane. In 1921 and 1939, parcels were added to increase the park's land area to its present size. The original inhabitants of the land were the Ottawa branch of the Algonquin Indians.
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.
Traverse City-Group Use Area(231) 922-5270Electrical Service, Group Use Area, Modern Restrooms, Winter Camping
Traverse City-Modern(800) 447-2757 343 site(s)Electrical Service, Mini Cabin, Modern Restrooms
A food concession and boat rental is located in the day-use area.
Powerboating and sailboating are popular Traverse Bay aquatic activities. Fishing charters are available in Grand Traverse Bay and anglers can expect to catch their share of salmon, trout, and panfish.
Traverse City State Park is located near Traverse City
The day use area consists of a strip of land bordered by a sugar-sand beach to the north and US-31 to the south. A swim area, picnic tables, and grills are available to day use visitors. The parking lot can accommodate 150 vehicles. No beach fires are allowed.
Along with biking, the TART Trail provides multiple uses for hiking, cross-country skiing and other trail recreation.
There is a paved bike trail, which is accessible through the park, and runs east and west, parallel to the park.
The park offers birdwatching opportunities with a variety of species, including warblers and waterfowl. Birders can explore diverse habitats such as wetlands, forests and beaches. The location is part of the Sleeping Bear Birding Trail which spans 123 miles along Lake Michigan's coastline.
Traverse City State Park is a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The National Cherry Festival is a popular annual event as well as the wide range of self-guided, fall color tours. Also popular around Traverse City State Park are the wineries and casinos.
MiWiFi provides wireless Internet access in the campground area of this park. The access point is located near the contact station and radiates about 150 feet from this location in all directions.
If youre looking for relatively quiet place, this is not it Traffic noise airplanes overhead is constant. Only one dump hookup means you could wait an hour. Bathrooms not generally clean much of the day. Under staffed.
We have been coming to and staying in our motorhome at the Traverse City State Park for several years. Love it up there. People are friendly and the beach and swimming area is A-1. East Bay has a wonderful sandy bottom, no weeds growing, and has a long, very gradual depth increase. Will be on the computer in 12 hours making our reservation for 2011 and hope to get our regular spot. Happy camping to everyone.
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