Hartwick Pines State Park, Michigan, United States

5Jake R 5:00 PM Sep 4, 2022

Old Growth Forest and former logging camp at state park close to freeway
It is a state park so you either need to have a parks passport (if you are a MI resident you should really get one when you register your car, it pays for itself if you visit a state park a couple of times) or pay to get in. It is located pretty close to the freeway and I stopped on the way back from the UP. I was there during Labor Day weekend on a nice day during the afternoon so it was fairly crowded, but not overly so. I stopped by the visitor center where I learned a few things in some interesting exhibits and then visited the logging museum and fomer CCC camp. And the highlight is the Old Growth forest. Hiked through the different trails in that part of the park (well marked/paved). Don't expect Red Wood style giant trees. But if you are person who has hiked alot in Michigan like myself I was amazed at how different the forest was. It was both really sad and yet really inspiring to learn that pretty much all of the forests I usually hike in are man made (bless the CCC and continued conservation and restoration efforts). A nice well maintained park (most state parks are) with the Old Growth forest and logging museum being standouts compared to other parks.

4bcsystems 5:00 PM Sep 9, 2021

Big park
We went to the Visitors Center, one of the lakes and the 7 mile drive. The Visitors center was pretty big with exhibits and hands on activities. The lake was quiet and you can fish on the pier. I didn't really find the 7 mile drive at all interesting.