> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.stateparkbuddy.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Wilderness State Park Field Report: Infinite night sky and endless shoreline near Mackinaw City - URL: https://www.stateparkbuddy.com/wilderness-state-park-field-report-infinite-night-sky-and-endless-shoreline-near-mackinaw-city/ - Published: 2026-10-08T13:42:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T13:57:49.000Z - Description: Explore one of Michigan's largest—and most beautiful—state parks. - Author: Brandon Johnson - Tags: #field-report, Michigan State Parks, Michigan Camping, Lake Superior, Dog Friendly, Dog Friendly Beach, Wilderness State Park, Mackinaw City, Straits of Mackinac, Dark Sky Preserve, Mackinac Island #### Whether you're exploring the Lake Michigan shoreline, miles of trails, the Mackinac Straits or the night sky, Wilderness State Park is an amazing place for camping. ## Top things to know about Wilderness State Park **The TLDR on Wilderness** - Great jumping off point for exploring the Macs (Mackinac Island, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City). - A designated dark sky preserve - The 4th largest state park in Michigan, with 12,800 acres that include multiple campsites, six cabins and a bunkhouse. - Each campsite has a different feel—keep reading to find out more. - Beautiful scenery, great beaches. - There are two designated beaches for dogs. Want to know more about Wilderness State Park? Keep reading. *Wilderness State Park is located at the northern edge of Michigan's lower peninsula, about 10 miles west of Mackinaw City.* --- **It's easy to forget how stunning the night sky can be.** As a designated dark sky preserve, Wilderness State Park is here to remind you. Our visit in mid-August was honestly kind of magical, even if it was too cloudy during our visit to benefit much from the dark sky designation. The kids lived in the water, we had a great time exploring the area, and poor mobile service forced us to get off our phones and have some quality outdoor downtime under the bright stars. ## Let's get into it: - **[Overview](#Overview)** - [The Lowdown on Wilderness State Park](#Overview) - [What to do](#What-to-do) - [Who is this park for?](#Who-is-this-park-for) - **[Plan your visit](#Planning)** - [Visiting Wilderness for the day](#Visiting-for-the-day) - [Camping at Wilderness](#camping-at-Wilderness) - [Getting to and into the park](#getting-to-the-park) - [Where to eat](#Where-to-eat) - [What if it rains](#what-if-it-rains) - **[Buddy's take: Dogs in the park](#Buddy-Take)** - **[Further reading & Resources](#Further-reading)** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Lake-Michigan-at-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Kids-swimming-Lake_Michigan_Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Teepee-Legs-Inn.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Buddy-beach-Lake_Michigan_Wilderness-State-Park_2.jpg) **Wilderness State Park* --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Overview-Graphic-Wilderness.png) ## The Lowdown on Wilderness State Park ### Are there beaches? There are 26 miles of shoreline within this park, so *hell yeah* there are beaches at Wilderness State Park. - The most convenient beaches are right along the campgrounds, and they're great. The water stays shallow for a ways out so they're great for kids, just be prepared for stony shores and perhaps [bring along some water shoes](https://amzn.to/4i9Wb9J?ref=stateparkbuddy.com). - We mostly stuck to the dog beach close to the West Lakeshore Campground, and it was great for swimming. There's another designated pet beach close to the East Lakeshore campground. - We didn't make it during this trip, but the Sturgeon Bay Beach, near to the Sturgeon Bay Dunes, is a wide, soft sand beach. It's a 15-minute drive from the campgrounds. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Buddy-Lake-Michigan-Beach-Wilderness-State-Park-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Buddy-Lake_Michigan-Beach-Wilderness-State-Park-2.jpg) **Beach Buddy at Wilderness State Park* ### How's the park store? There's not an official park store at Wilderness State Park, though [Cecil Bay Trading Post](https://maps.app.goo.gl/fVAGmTnY26ELiukE7?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) is about 4 miles from the campground and has a pretty damn good selection. ### Is there a playground? There is one playground, located *between* the West and East Lakeshore Campgrounds. This is also where you'll find the camp host and the camp library, where you can borrow books, boardgames and DVDs. ![The playground at Wilderness State Park, located between West & East Lakeshore Camptrounds](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/09/playground-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) The playground at Wilderness State Park, located between West & East Lakeshore Campgrounds ### Where to get firewood There's not firewood for sale within the park itself, so Cecil Bay Trading post is your best bet. The price was $5 a bundle during our last visit. *Note: Please source firewood locally to prevent the spread of invasive insects and plant disease.* ### The bathroom situation ![bathroom-at-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/bathroom-at-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) - There are modern bathrooms in each of the campgrounds. - Each including multiple stalls, showers and "family" style bathrooms. - The bathrooms we used were relatively new - There were enough stalls and showers that we never noted anyone waiting in line. - Cleanliness was 7.5/10 during our visit. - One cool thing these bathrooms have that a lot of State Park bathrooms don't is dishwashing stations, especially helpful if you're tent camping. ![dishwashing-sink-at-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/dishwashing-sink-at-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) - There is a modern bathroom facility between the eastern "Walk-in Tent-only Sites" and the "Full Hook-up Sites", next to the park office. - Campers in the western "Walk-in, Tent-only Sites" have a bit more of a walk to a modern bathroom, either to the East Lakeshore Campground or the one next to the office — though there is a pit toilet close. - If you go out hiking, there are vault bathrooms at a couple points — see your trail map. ### How far off the grid are we talking? **Dark skies, dark phones.** - Our mobile service (Verizon) wasn't great. At best, we occasionally got weak LTE signals in the modern campground. - AT&T customers don't seem to fare much better. - From what we've heard, T-Mobile fares worst of all. - Like most Michigan State Parks, there is no park Wi-Fi. - Best spots for cell service & Wi-Fi: - Drive the 15 minutes into Mackinaw City, where your mobile service will improve - Visit the Mackinaw Bakery and Cafe for pastries, coffee & Wi-Fi - If you have Starlink, the West and East Lakeshore Campgrounds are your best bet for clear northern sky exposure. You can increase your chances of decent mobile service within the park with cell signal boosters like [weBoost Drive Reach Overland](https://amzn.to/3U4oDkb?ref=stateparkbuddy.com). *Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.* --- ## Top things to do at Wilderness State Park ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Wilderness_hiking-warped.jpg) ### Hike and bike your heart out There are over 20 miles of scenic hiking trails within Wilderness State Park with easy to moderate difficulty, and during the winter, you can snowshoe or go cross-country skiing. The two-tracks within the park, including Nebo Trail, South Boundary Trail, Swamp Line Trail and Sturgeon Bay Trail are open to bicycles. It's all well worth exploring, with dense coniferous and mature hardwood forests, pockets of open meadows, small ponds and wetlands. Just make sure to pay attention to trail signage and carry a trail map, available at the park's contact station. And bring bug spray. Always bring bug spray. ### Swim in Lake Michigan ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Buddy-Beach_Wilderness_State-Park-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Kids-Beach-Wilderness-State-Park-1.jpg) It's possible our son spent more time in the water than he did outside of it during our stay at Wilderness. It was mid-August, the water was as warm as it gets and there was certainly a lot of shoreline to explore. Of course, this is also a great spot for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, too, if the waves aren't too high. ### Stargaze As a designated dark sky preserve, Wilderness State Park is an ideal spot for taking in the night sky. Sadly, it was too cloudy during our visit to experience it fully or get good photos. If you plan to stargaze, here are a few tips: - Wait at least 3 hours after sunset for true darkness - Check the lunar calendar to aim for a new moon phase - Bring a [red-light flashlight or headlamp](https://amzn.to/4hSBI8b?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) to protect your night vision You can also [visit Headlands International Dark Sky Park](https://www.emmetcounty.org/experiences/headlands/index.php?ref=stateparkbuddy.com), just nine miles northeast. Headlands features an observatory and indoor facility, where you can look through high-powered telescopes. Want to stargaze even harder? [Invest in some astronomy binoculars](https://amzn.to/3TBEeHC?ref=stateparkbuddy.com). ### Explore the Macs If you're planning to explore Mackinac Island, cross the Mackinac bridge, or tour Fort Michilimackinac, Wilderness State Park is the perfect home base. It's just a 15-minute drive from Mackinaw City, where you can catch the ferry to the island, tour Michilimackinac or cross the bridge to the U.P. ![Mackinac-Bridge-1.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Mackinac-Bridge-1.jpg) I took the kids to Fort Michilimackinac, an 18th-century colonial French and British fortified fur trading village and military outpost populated by costumed interpreters, and they had a blast. ![Kids trying on soldier's jackets at Fort Michilimackinac ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Fort-Michilimackinac.jpg) Trying on the soldier's life at Fort Michilimackinac #### \*For a full list of available activities, [check out the official Wilderness State Park site](https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/wilderness?ref=stateparkbuddy.com). \* ## Who is Wilderness State Park for? ### Nature lovers With over 12,000 acres and 20 miles of trails to explore, this is the ideal park for spending quality time in nature. ### Families With water that stays shallow for a ways out, a great playground, a robust calendar of nature programs and lots of fun activities nearby, families will find a lot to keep them busy at Wilderness State Park. ### Dogs & dog owners While most of the shoreline is off-limits to dogs April 15-August 31 to protect endangered piping plovers and their habitat, they are welcome on most of the shoreline the rest of the year. There are also two designated beaches open to dogs year round, located on the west side of the West Shoreline Campground and the east side of the East Shoreline Campground. What's more, all of the hiking trails that aren't on the shoreline are open to dogs, giving them plenty of space to explore. ### Photographers Obviously, if you're into night-time photography Wilderness State Park is one of *the* places to go in Northern Michigan, with its dark sky designation. There are plenty of stunning daytime views too, though, including some spectacular views of the Mackinac Bridge from certain points along the shoreline. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Planning-Graphic-Wilderness.jpg) 👋 First time visiting a Michigan State Park? You'll need a passport. Check out our full [2026 Michigan Recreation Passport Guide](https://www.stateparkbuddy.com/your-michigan-state-park-adventures-begin-with-a-recreation-passport/) for rates, rules, exemptions, etc. ## When to go #### May through early-June is best for birding and being alone. The mild spring weather before summer crowds arrive makes this a great time for birdwatching, especially migratory warblers and nesting shorebirds along the shoreline. #### Late-June thru mid-August is great for swimming and long days. This is a fun time to be at Wilderness, with warm weather and warm water. Just be prepared to deal with crowds of people *and* mosquitos. If you're planning to camp during this period, be sure to book well in advance. #### The sweet spot might just be after Labor Day through mid October Similar to many Michigan parks, this is an ideal time to visit. Things cool off a bit and the crowds and bugs are mostly gone but you can probably still swim (especially in September). And since it's getting dark earlier, you'll have more time for dark sky viewing. Plus the leaves will start changing the first few weeks of October. #### Mid-October through Mid May is peak introvert season. The modern campgrounds shut down, but day-use, rustic winter camping and walk-in cabins are still available. You can snowshoe and cross-country ski, and it gets dark early which is ideal for stargazing, if you can handle the cold. ## Visiting Wilderness State Park for the day ### Hours and dates - The park is open year round for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing and stargazing. - Park hours are 8am to 10pm, though certain sections are open 24/7 for stargazing. ### What to expect After a brief stop in at the contact station, you'll turn right at the park headquarters to get to the day-use parking lot. From there you can swim either at the dog beach or the dog-free beach. ### Hiking in Wilderness State Park If you're planning on hiking, you can do so from that same parking lot, but there are also four other parking lots within the park, depending on which trail you want to hike on. Learn more from a ranger at the contact station, or at the very least be sure to grab a trail map. ### Driving out to Waugoshance Point Waugoshance Point is at the very tip of the large peninsula jutting out at the northwest corner of the lower peninsula, and it's within Wilderness State Park. It's well worth visiting for the stunning views. Just keep in mind that at some point Waugoshance Point Road turns into a bumpy unpaved dirt/gravel road, so high-clearance vehicles are ideal. You'll come to a parking lot, after which it's about a 3-mile hike to reach the point itself. \*Note: Dogs are not allowed at the point, due to the Piping Plover restrictions. \* ### Driving to the Sturgeon Bay Sand Dunes for a sandy beach As mentioned before, the beaches at the campsites are a little stony. For the full sandy beach experience, aim further south on Sturgeon Bay (the most scenic route is via M-119, through the famous "Tunnel of Trees"). You'll need to do roadside shoulder pull-off for parking, and walk about 50-100 yards across the dunes, but it's well worth it. Or so we've heard. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Wilderness_Campground_map-annotated.jpg) ## Camping at Wilderness State Park ### Dates & rates Have a seat, this is going to take a minute. There are quite a few different camping options in this park, and they all have different dates & rates. - East & West Lakeshore Campgrounds - May 15-Oct 11 - 50 amp sites: $50/night - 20/30 amp sites: $45/night - Pines Campground - May 15-Nov 29 - Modern bathrooms close Oct 20 - 50 amp sites: $50 ($45 after Oct 20) - 20/30 amp sites: $45 ($40 after Oct 20) - Full hookup campsites: - May 15-Oct 20 - $60/night - Tent-only Walk-in Rustic: - May 15-Nov 29 - $25/night - Back Country Camp Sites - Open year-round - $20/night - Rustic Cabins - There are six Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabins in Wilderness State Park (see map for locations). - The cabins don't have indoor plumbing, so you'll need to use a nearby pit toilet. - Each cabin *does* have beds table & chairs and a wood stove inside, plus a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill outside - Available year-round - $100-$108/night - Rustic Bunkhouses - Available year-round - $160/night (min. stay 2 nights) ### Campsite intel One of the cool things about Wilderness is how many different camping options there are to choose from, based on your preferences and needs. Here's how it breaks down: #### The Modern Campgrounds ##### **Choose West Lakeshore Campground if views are a priority.** This is where we camped during our last visit, and where we'd choose it again—especially if there are sites available along the shoreline. There aren't many trees to block water views, but also less shade overall, if that's a priority for you. There's also a dog beach on the west side of this campground. *Sites available: 71* ##### **Choose East Lakeshore Campground if shade is a priority but you still want to be close to the lake** The lakeshore is a very short walk from this campsites, but there's a treeline between the lakeshore sites and the beach, which limits your view. There is a dog beach over here as well, on the east edge of the campground. There are also two tent-only walk-in (very short walk) sites that don't have electricity but do have access to the modern bathrooms. *Sites available: 65* ##### **Choose the Pines Campground for spacious sites, more privacy and a chill vibe.** While the Pines Campground is about a ten minute walk to the beach, it's not a bad place to land, especially if you're looking for a little more space and a relaxed atmosphere. This campground definitely seems a little less popular than the other modern campgrounds (when we visited the park in late August, it was less than half full while the others were mostly full), which is a great opportunity if that's what you're into. *Sites available: 99* ##### **Choose full hook-up sites for spaciousness, privacy and convenience.** All of the full hook-up sites are paved and quite spacious and private. They are set a bit further back from the shoreline (though it's still a short walk) and there isn't much of a view, but hey—they're full hook-up. *Sites available: 18* #### The Walk-in, Tent-Only sites will give you a more secluded experience These rustic sites are spacious and private, and some of them even come with fantastic water views. Don't let the walk-in part scare you too much, it's only about 15 to 150 yards from designated parking. The modern bathrooms aren't so far away, either. There are two sections, located on either side of the full hook-up area. *Sites available*: 25 #### The Rustic Cabins offer great views, no indoor plumbing. Most of the rustic cabins at Wilderness State Park are on the shoreline and serve up amazing views that vary depending on location but can include the Mackinac Bridge. The cabins include beds, table, chairs, countertop and wood stove. Kiln-dried firewood is provided for winter heating. Outside, a fire ring, picnic table and charcoal grill await. During the summer, you can park at your cabin, but the roads aren't plowed during the winter and you'll have to hike in, between 2 and 3.5 miles. The cabins don't have indoor plumbing, so you'll need to use vault toilets outside and bring in your own water. *Cabins available: 6* #### The Rustic Bunkhouses are great for large groups. Each one-room bunkhouse accommodates 20 guests in 10 bunk beds and includes a folding cafeteria table and 12 chairs. Electricity is provided for lights, a ceiling fan and outlets, but there is no running water. Water is available seasonally at the nearby campground and year-round at park headquarters. Each bunkhouse has an outdoor fire pit, picnic table, and charcoal grill. Vault toilets are located nearby. Limited parking is available year-round. *Bunkhouses available: 3* #### The best campsites at Wilderness State Park *Caveat: This is a park with a ton of sites, and we just weren't there long enough to scope out every site individually. With that in mind, here are our thoughts* ##### For the best views - Any of the sites along the shoreline in the East Lakeshore campground is a good bet. - In the rustic walk-in tent-only section, sites 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, 121, 122 have lake views. ##### For big RVs, glampers and/or bad parkers - The full-hook up sites (201-218) have plenty of space for maneuvering - 317 in East Lakeshore and 454 on West Lakeshore can accommodate RVs up to 50' and offer 50 amp service. #### For the most privacy Your best bet for privacy is going to be the walk-in tent-only sites, which offer lots of personal space. But if you *really* want privacy, there are two backcountry sites available within this park. The East Boundary campsite is a 3/4 mile hike from the East Boundary Trailhead parking lot. The O'Neal campsite (on the north shoreline of O'Neal Lake) is a 3.5 mile hike from the Nebo Trailhead parking lot #### For those who need an ADA site There are number of ADA-only sites available in Wilderness State Park, including 424, 431, 458 and 470 in West Lakeshore, 330, 349, 350 and 356 in East Lakeshore, and 102 and 119 in the walk-in tent sites. ##### Our pick for the very best site **449.** We almost don't want to give this away — though, based on how quickly this site books up I think the secret is out. We were lucky enough to score this site for one night during our last visit and great. **It's fairly private and is basically right on the beach, which means you can watch the kids swim from camp while enjoying the view.** ![RV at campsite 449 at Wilderness State Park with Lake Michigan in background](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Site-449-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) **#449 — Great site if you can get it.* #### Sites with potential problems There don't seem to be any *bad* sites here. The middle sites in both East and West Lakeshore Campgrounds are packed in pretty tight, so we'd suggest booking along the edges instead, if available. Unless you're part of a group that wants to book multiple sites right next to each other. ### Reserving your site Reservations open six months out. Book your site as far in advance as possible to increase your chances of getting a good site (or getting a site at all). If you're feeling lucky, you can just show up without a reservation, but be warned: the campground tends to fill up fast, especially on the weekends and during the peak summer months. [Reserve your site](https://midnrreservations.com/?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) at Michigan's DNR website For the two backcountry sites, you'll need to call the park at 231-436-5381. ## What to bring This isn't a full camping supply list, but an idea of what you might want to bring to Wilderness State Park. **Good shoes** \* Hiking shoes if you plan on hitting the trails \* Water shoes if you want to avoid walking across rocks at the beach **Beach stuff** Bring your swimsuits, inner tubes, kayaks, paddle boards, etc. **Bug spray** This goes without saying Michigan, but bring bug spray, especially if it's in the middle of summer. **Nighttime Telescope or binoculars** You are at a dark sky preserve, after all. **Portable Power Station if you're going rustic** If you're staying in one of the walk-in, tent-only sites, keep your cameras, phones and headlights charged with a [Portable Power Station](https://amzn.to/4j7akFG?ref=stateparkbuddy.com). ## Getting groceries Don't want to go grocery shopping before leaving home? You'll be *fiiiiiine*. Mostly. Here are your closest grocery options: - **[Cecil Bay Trading Post](https://maps.app.goo.gl/LwbfDbGg8ouHxjxbA?ref=stateparkbuddy.com)** is a small but well-stocked store located about 3.5 miles from the campground where you'll find camping supplies, booze, pizza and basic groceries. - People have good things to say about **[Carp Lake General Store](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DXh2NC3KBhGNbAbr7?ref=stateparkbuddy.com)**, which is a ten-minute drive from the campground. - [Mackinaw Family Market](https://maps.app.goo.gl/injyrEVWxTPSyKhL9?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) seems to be the closest proper grocery store, with fresh meat and produce and all the stuff. It's a 15-minute drive. ## Getting to and into the park ### Download your maps Mobile service is going to be spotty, but you can still navigate because you [downloaded your map for offline use](https://youtu.be/PjID6Fii2J4?si=pIAjap28X5qTTlUD&ref=stateparkbuddy.com). ### Gassing up The nearest gas station to Wilderness State Park (that's reliably open) is about a fifteen-minute drive, so plan accordingly. Depending on where you're coming from: - [Williams' Marathon & Grocery](https://maps.app.goo.gl/XGzJh61hG6N92Pez6?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) on US Hwy 31 could be a good option - Or, there's another [Marathon Gas in Mackinaw City](https://maps.app.goo.gl/5h1QesG3iJ41nUdc9?ref=stateparkbuddy.com), along with a few more options. ### Checking in at Wilderness State Park - Stop at the Contact Station to check in, grab a park map and get your parking pass. - If the station is closed, go ahead and find your campsite. You can check in tomorrow. ### Stop at the sanitation station for water if you need it - If you have an RV and need to fill your tank with potable water, the sanitation station will be on your left, across from the park headquarters and before you get to the the East Lakeshore Campground. This will also be where you'll stop before leaving to dump your waste. Note that there is also a small dump station just inside the entrance to the West Lakeshore Campground. This isn't for RVs to use, but for portable waste tanks. ## Where to eat when you're not cooking at camp There are a number of restaurants near Wilderness State Park, especially in Mackinaw City. Here are the ones we can vouch for: ### Drive down to Legs Inn, one of the most interesting restaurants in Michigan This quirky restaurant in Bliss is one of those places you just have to see to appreciate. They serve great Polish food and have amazing views of Lake Michigan. It's about a half hour drive from Wilderness State Park. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Legs-Inn-Sign-Bliss-Michigan.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Totem-Legs-Inn-Bliss-Michigan.jpg) ### Drink beer and eat BBQ at Rusted Spoke Brewing Co This was the perfect spot to eat after visiting Fort Michilimackinac. A solid Michigan brewery with an eclectic, fun menu that works for kids and adults. ### Grab pizza and ice cream at [Cecil Bay Trading Post](https://maps.app.goo.gl/N9jyHkteD2wXoHTa6?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) You'll find these two major Michigan food groups just 3.5 miles from camp. Grab firewood and smores supplies while you're there. ## What if it rains? You can only read books, play cards and nap for so long. Here are some activities in the area for rainy days. - **Pay a visit to the Book Nook**. It's located in a shed between the East & West Lakeshore campgrounds next to the camp host, and there are lots of books, games and DVDs to choose from. ![Book-Nook-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Book-Nook-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) - **[Catch a movie at Mackinaw City Cinema](https://www.mackinawcitycinema.com/?ref=stateparkbuddy.com)**. - [**Learn something at the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Museum**](https://www.mackinacparks.com/attraction/old-mackinac-point-lighthouse/?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) - [**Enjoy coffee & Wi-Fi at a coffee shop**](https://www.straittotheroots.com/?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Buddy-s-Take-Revised-9_12_26.jpg) **Wilderness State Park freakin' rules.** There are so many trails for me to walk on and people to bark at if they look at me the wrong way. Here's what you should know if you are a dog (or have a dog): - **There are two dog beaches here**, and I had a good time digging and barking at the waves. I'm not supposed to be off my leash, though. - **The rest of the shoreline was *off limits***, because of some bird's habitat or something. - Whenever we'd walk around camp, I'd meet to or three other dogs who were walking, too. ![Pug sitting in front of fire pit at campsite on Lake Michigan in Wilderness State Park](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/Buddy-Lake-Michigan-Wilderness-State-Park.jpg) **Buddy relaxing at the campsite* ## Further reading and resources ### Important DNR sites - [Official Wilderness State Park Site](https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/wilderness?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) - [Michigan State Park closures](https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/newsroom/Closures?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) - [Beach Closures in Michigan State Parks](https://mienviro.michigan.gov/nsite/beach/map/results?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) ### Area Guides - [Wilderness State Park](https://www.discoveringanew.com/blog-4/wilderness-state-park-a-hidden-gem?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) - [Things to do in the Straits of Mackinac area](https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/things-do-straits-mackinac-area?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) - [Birding](https://theschnitzelbirder.com/finding-paradise-up-north-a-guide-to-wilderness-state-park/?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) - [Hiking](https://www.komoot.com/guide/3851526/hiking-in-wilderness-state-park?ref=stateparkbuddy.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a1/d1/a1d1b6ae-3714-4d17-a09f-1b0aec6cb6c1/content/images/2026/10/What-did-we-miss--V2-1.jpg) ### Sound off in the comments below and let us know if you have any Wilderness State Park tips, or whether there's anything else you need to know. *Note about AI: I sometimes use AI for research and other non-creative tasks. *I do not use AI for writing or graphics*. All words written and photos taken and designs done by an actual human being.*