10 Michigan state parks perfect for winter exploration

Discover the best Michigan state parks to visit in the winter and what seasonal activities they offer. 

Michigan is home to more than 100 state parks, and while summer is the most popular time to visit them, many are open year-round and offer plenty to see and do during the winter, too. With frozen waterfalls and lakes, snow-covered trees, and cozy cabins, Michigan’s state parks transform into winter wonderlands perfect for a weekend getaway or day trip. From ice skating and skiing to snowmobiling and snowshoeing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Keep reading to discover the best Michigan state parks to visit in the winter and what seasonal activities they offer. 

1. Muskegon State Park

3560 Memorial Dr., Muskegon 

Muskegon State Park is open year-round, and while many flock to the 1,233-acre park during the warmer months to enjoy its three miles of shoreline, dunes, and hiking trails, winter is also a wonderful time to visit. At the park’s winter sports complex, you can sharpen your ice skating skills on an outdoor rink and a dedicated skating trail through the forest. There are also cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, plus a luge track—one of only four in the U.S.—designed by an Olympic luger. 

If you’re looking for a unique lodging option in the park, try renting a yurt. 

2. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

33303 Headquarters Rd., Ontonagon

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park—Michigan’s largest state park at 60,000 acres—also has its own winter sports complex. Visitors can enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding or explore 20 miles of trails (with views of Lake Superior) for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. Beginning in February 2025, Sno-Go ski bikes will also be available to rent. 

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park also has designated trails for snowmobiling. For overnight visitors, yurts are available for rent, as well as some less rustic lodging options for those who want running water and electricity. 

3. Tahquamenon Falls State Park

41382 W M-123, Paradise

The main attraction at Tahquamenon Falls State Park is, as its name implies, the waterfalls. The Upper Falls—among the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River at 200 feet wide—are a sight to see in the summertime but even more breathtaking in the winter. 

There are also marked trails within the park for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. After a long day of exploring, treat yourself to a meal and a microbrew at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub. 

4. Hartwick Pines State Park

3612 State Park Dr., Grayling

In the warmer months, Hartwick Pines State Park is a destination for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, but come wintertime, it becomes a popular place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The 9,335-acre park also hosts special winter activities and events, including lantern-lit snowshoe hikes and snowshoe-building workshops. 

Rent a rustic cabin for an overnight stay, or opt for one of the more modern lodging options available nearby. 

5. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

9922 Front St., Empire

While not technically a state park, we couldn’t help but include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in this roundup. The park, which extends along a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan, is home to sand dunes, hiking trails, forests, beaches, and other beautiful natural features that attract thousands of daily visitors during the summer. 

In the winter, there’s far less foot traffic, but still plenty to do. Many of the walking and biking trails are groomed for skiing and snowshoeing. Sledding down the Dune Climb, a 260-foot dune face, ice fishing, and ranger-led snowshoe hikes are also popular wintertime activities. Additionally, the scenic Pierce Stocking Drive is closed to vehicles during the winter but remains open for hikers and snowshoers. 

6. Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park

1132 US-31 N., Traverse City

If Taylor Swift and Lana Del Ray’s 2022 ballad still has you wondering what snow on the beach looks like, head to Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park this winter to find out. The urban park on Grand Traverse Bay might be small—just 75 acres in total—but there’s plenty to do, including strolling along the quarter-mile area of sandy beach with beautiful views of the bay. The beach is a hot spot during the summer, but it looks especially lovely during the winter when it’s covered in a fresh coat of snow. 

Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park is just a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, so you can easily visit both in one trip if you’re so inclined. 

7. Palms Book State Park

M-149 (one mile north of the County Road 455 junction), Manistique

Palms Book State Park is home to Kitch-iti-Kipi, Michigan’s biggest freshwater spring. Also known as “The Big Spring,” Kitch-iti-Kipi is a surreal sight any time of year, but it’s particularly stunning in the winter—even though it rarely ever freezes. The 10,000 gallons of turquoise water that fills Kitch-iti-Kipi, which is 200 feet wide and 400 feet deep, create quite a contrast against the snow-covered land that surrounds it. 

8. Island Lake Recreation Area

6301 Kensington Rd., Brighton

You don’t have to trek way up north to enjoy some snowy state park fun. Island Lake Recreation Area, a 4,000-acre park located about 40 miles northwest of Detroit, has multiple trail loops for skiing and snowshoeing. You can also explore the Hickory Ridge hiking trail during a self-guided, lantern-lit night hike. 

9. Pinckney Recreation Area

8555 Silver Hill Rd., Pinckney

Pinckney Recreation Area, an 11,000-acre park in southeast Michigan, is open year-round for outdoor fun. Winter sports like snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing are popular in the park. With so much to explore, you might want to make this visit a multi-day outing. If so, yurts and cabins are available for rent.

10. Tawas State Park

686 Tawas Beach Rd., East Tawas

Tawas State Park is open snow or shine. The 183-acre park is home to the only true Victorian-era style lighthouse and offers tons of recreational activities year-round. Park visitors can access the Tawas Bay Multi-Use Trails along Lake Huron to hike and snowshoe. Tawas Bay is also a popular ice-fishing destination.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.