Leelanau State Park

Perched at the tip of Michigan’s pinky finger, Leelanau State Park sprawls across 1,550 acres where Lake Michigan meets Grand Traverse Bay. The park’s crown jewel is the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, a restored 1858 beacon that doubles as a museum and offers sweeping views of the Manitou Islands on clear days. Few state parks in Michigan combine this kind of history with such dramatic lakefront scenery.

The 8.5 miles of hiking trails wind through dense cedar and birch forests, open meadows dotted with wildflowers, and along rocky shoreline. The Mud Lake Trail loops past a quiet inland lake popular with birders — warblers and shorebirds thrive here during spring migration. In winter, the trails convert to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing routes with surprisingly few crowds.

The rustic campground offers 51 sites tucked among the trees, most within a short walk of the water. These are first-come, first-served spots without hookups, which keeps things quieter than the nearby Traverse City campgrounds. Bring layers — lake breezes keep summer evenings cool even when inland temperatures climb.

Visit between late June and early September for swimming and warm-weather hiking, or come in October when the Leelanau Peninsula’s famous fall color peaks. The park sits just 30 minutes from Traverse City’s restaurants and wineries, making it an easy base for exploring the wider region without sacrificing a genuine Up North experience.

Explore Nearby

• Grand Traverse Light — Lighthouse in Michigan
• Mission Point Light (1933) — Lighthouse in Michigan
• Historic Michigan Road Byway Alternate — Scenic Byway in Indiana
• Huron–Manistee National Forest — National Forest in Michigan
• Newport State Park — Dark Sky Site in Wisconsin