For those who live in or around Escanaba in Michigan, the state gives them plenty of options when it comes to exploring the great outdoors.
Covering some 306,000 acres, across 101 state parks, it subsumes a scintillating landscape of verdant forests, imperious mountain peaks, raging rivers, shimmering lakes and gaping caves.
Receiving over 26 million visitors annually, many of whom choose to hike, or bike, the 900 miles of trails that run through them, these destinations also provide excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating and photography.
In addition, with over 14,100 campsites available in some 142 campgrounds, they also have plenty of places to stay overnight too.
Now that Covid restrictions have been lifted if you are in mind to partake in any of these activities there are a number of places you can visit.
Outlined below is a selection of 8 state parks near the city of Escanaba we highly recommend you check out.
Map of State Parks Near Escanaba, MI
Here is a map of the state parks in Michigan covered by this post:
List of State Parks Near Escanaba
The 8 state parks near Escanaba are located all over the state of Michigan. Some of them are close enough to the city to be be visited on a day trip, while all of them offer various camping and overnight accommodation options.
1. Fayette Historic State Park
Distance from Escanaba: about 19 miles east of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: 4785 II Road, Garden, MI 49835
Fayette Historic State Park is a historic preservation and public recreation area encompassing the historic town of Fayette in the U.S.
Highlights associated with Fayette Historic State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Fayette Historic State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. J.W. Wells State Park
Distance from Escanaba: about 28 miles southwest of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: Cedar River Road, Cedarville Township, Michigan 49887
J.W. Wells State Park is a state park in Menominee County, Michigan.
Highlights associated with J.W. Wells State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and lake recreation.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, hiking trails, and a designated swimming area.
See our full J.W. Wells State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Grand Traverse Island State Park
Distance from Escanaba: about 30 miles south of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: Town of Washington, Wisconsin 54246
Grand Traverse Island State Park covers 5.05 acres in Door County, Wisconsin. Established 1970.
Highlights associated with Grand Traverse Island State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and island scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground.
See our full Grand Traverse Island State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Newport State Park
Distance from Escanaba: about 35 miles south of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: Newport Park Road, Town of Liberty Grove, Wisconsin 54210
Newport State Park is a 2,373-acre (960 ha) Wisconsin state park at the tip of Door Peninsula near Europe Lake.
Highlights associated with Newport State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and island scenery.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground.
See our full Newport State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Palms Book State Park
Distance from Escanaba: about 37 miles northeast of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: Gerometta Drive, Thompson Township, Michigan
Palms Book State Park is a publicly owned nature preserve encompassing 388 acres (157 ha) in Thompson Township, Schoolcraft County, in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Highlights associated with Palms Book State Park include waterfall scenery, beach access, and coastal dunes.
See our full Palms Book State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Indian Lake State Park
Distance from Escanaba: about 38 miles east of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: 442, Thompson Township, Michigan
Indian Lake State Park is a public recreation area covering 567 acres (229 ha) in Schoolcraft County on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Highlights associated with Indian Lake State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Indian Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Peninsula State Park
Distance from Escanaba: about 42 miles south of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Peninsula State Park is a 3,776-acre (1,528 ha) Wisconsin state park with eight miles (13 km) of Green Bay shoreline in Door County.
Highlights associated with Peninsula State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Peninsula State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Menominee River State Recreation Area
Distance from Escanaba: about 43 miles west of Escanaba (straight-line).
Location: Travelling Riverside Blues, Breitung Township, Michigan 54151
Menominee River State Recreation Area is a state-managed protected area located in Breitung and Norway townships in Dickinson County and Faithorn Township in Menominee County, Michigan, southeast of Iron Mountain.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground and hiking trails.
See our full Menominee River State Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
