Bewabic State Park

Bewabic State Park We offer a range of recreational activities which include: boating, hiking, fishing, and kayaking! Herbert F.

Larson was appointed as engineer-manager of the Iron County Road Commission in 1917. Taking advantage of a 1913 Michigan law, Larson purchased for the county individual tracts of land as well as wide rights of way along what is now US-2, to be set aside as parks for public use. He particularly looked for and obtained some of the last stands of virgin timber in the county. Larson is credited, in 19

19, with the establishment of the first roadside park in America on Stager Lake along US 2. The success of the Stager Lake park led Larson to purchase land for other parks, including the area that is now Bewabic State Park. Bewabic Park was created in 1923, when Larson purchased a 120-acre farmstead on Fortune Lake, along what is now US 2, containing a stand of virgin timber near. Larson turned the farmhouse into a caretaker's residence, and installed a bathing beach, picnic area parking lot, and campground. However, the improvements at the park were minimal until 1933, when workers from the Civil Works Administration (CWA) were assigned to the park. One hundred and seventy CWA workers were assigned to Bewabic Park in 1933. They constructed a footbridge and trail to access an island in Fortune Lake, built a bandstand and tennis courts, added stoves and tables to the picnic area, and built a large wooden picnic shelter known as "The Wigwam." The CWA program was soon halted, but in 1935 it was replaced by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In 1935, one hundred and eight CCC workers began work in Bewabic Park, and continued until 1937. The CCC workers implemented an extensive plan for Bewabic Park, which included constructing buildings designed by local architect Abraham Anderson and implementing landscaping designed by Glenn Case Gregg of Michigan State College. The workers moved the farmhouse, tore down the associated barns, and expanded the picnic area. They built a log bathhouse that included dressing rooms and store rooms for canoes, a stone restroom, and stone drinking fountains. They also constructed more benches and tables, installed a playground and footpaths, and expanded the camping area. In 1966, Bewabic Park was purchased by the state of Michigan as part of an acquisition program to substantially expand the state park system. The next year the state purchased 40 adjoining acres to create the present park. In 1971, the bathhouse was remodeled, and in 1975 the campground was substantially increased in size. However, the park still contains significant examples of the rustic park architecture originally built by the CWA and the CCC.

We have been receiving a lot of questions about what dates Harvest Fest will be. Harvest Fest will be September 8-10!
03/09/2023

We have been receiving a lot of questions about what dates Harvest Fest will be. Harvest Fest will be September 8-10!

01/06/2023

Do you like to spend your summers outdoors? What if you could get paid for it, too? We've got just the thing! We're hiring!

We're looking for seasonal park workers, seasonal park rangers and more! To learn about these opportunities, visit www.Michigan.gov/DNRJobs. Starting rate is $15/hour.

Know someone that might be interested? Tag them in the comments.

10/20/2022
08/24/2022

What project are you most excited about?

This round of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act includes $108.8 million for the following projects:
✔️upgrades to a bridge and observation tower at Rifle River Recreation Area,
✔️a renovation of the historic schoolhouse at Ionia Recreation Area,
✔️an upgrade to campground electric at Tawas Point State Park,
✔️repairs on a wastewater treatment facility at Bewabic State Park,
✔️dam repairs at Brighton Recreation Area,
✔️parking lot and road improvements at Sleepy Hollow State Park,
✔️renovation and preservation of historic buildings at Hartwick Pines State Park
✔️and much (much!) more!

To learn about these and other upcoming projects, visit https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/3286f64.

We received some bad news recently, Oak Wilt was re-discovered in our campground after treating for it in the fall of 20...
08/01/2022

We received some bad news recently, Oak Wilt was re-discovered in our campground after treating for it in the fall of 2020.

The likely cause of infection for these two large oaks was infected firewood brought into the park.

For more information on oak wilt and how to report it visit: https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/disease/oak-wilt

On July 30th from 12-4 PM CDT the Waters of Fortune event will be located at Bewabic State Park in the day use area. The...
07/09/2022

On July 30th from 12-4 PM CDT the Waters of Fortune event will be located at Bewabic State Park in the day use area. There will be fun games, activities, and a Ski-ters show from 2-3 PM CDT.

We are asking anyone staying at the park that weekend to please use the walking trails to get to the event, so we have enough parking for visitors.

The Michigan Recreation Passport is required to enter the park. Information on parking and other park operations will be posted at a later date for this weekend.

06/30/2022

As we approach the 4th of July weekend, we just wanted to wish you a happy Independence Day! Enjoy some fireworks, but don’t forget to be safe. In state parks, aerial fireworks (such as Roman candles and bottle rockets) are prohibited, but smaller novelty fireworks (such as party poppers, snakes, smoke bombs, and sparklers) are still permitted. We ask visitors to abide by these regulations to help us all stay safe.

The DNR and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency work together to highlight quieter camping options over the Fourth of July to help veterans with PTSD, pet owners and others that would like a location farther away from traditional fireworks displays. The following campgrounds are taking part in Fireworks-Free Fourth this year: Bewabic State Park, Brighton Recreation Area, Cheboygan State Park, Craig Lake State Park, W. J. Hayes State Park, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, Leelanau State Park, Rifle River Recreation Area, Sleepy Hollow State Park, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and Wells State Park.

For more information on resources, services and benefits for veterans and their families, visit www.Michigan.gov/MVAA

06/09/2022
It’s National Trails day! Stop by Bewabic State Park and Menominee River State Recreation Area and check out some of the...
06/04/2022

It’s National Trails day! Stop by Bewabic State Park and Menominee River State Recreation Area and check out some of the awesome views our trails have to offer!

*The last two photos were taken at Menominee River State Recreation Area along the Piers Gorge Scenic Hiking Trail.

The white trilliums are out in full force all over the park!Did you know that trilliums, specifically white trilliums, a...
05/19/2022

The white trilliums are out in full force all over the park!

Did you know that trilliums, specifically white trilliums, are a favorite food for white-tailed deer?

For those who are wondering, Harvest Festival will be September 9th and 10th this year. You can start making your reserv...
04/28/2022

For those who are wondering, Harvest Festival will be September 9th and 10th this year. You can start making your reservation now!

Join us for the parks annual fall festival!

Winter doesn’t want to leave this year! We still have a few inches of snow in our more wooded sites plus the snow we got...
04/26/2022

Winter doesn’t want to leave this year! We still have a few inches of snow in our more wooded sites plus the snow we got this morning. We hope to see it all gone when we open the campground on May 15th!

Address

1933 U.S 2
Crystal Falls, MI
49920

Telephone

+19068753324

Website

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