Hiking Michigan Vacations: Fayette State Park

Travel Bays de Noc!

Directions

Off US 2 turn S. on M-183 at Garden Corners. 18 miles to park entrance on right.

Description

Fayette Historic State Park houses a Historic Townsite, a representation of a once bustling industrial community, interpreted by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.

Features

Visitor Center - Exhibits, interactive displays, multi-image slide shows and other nature programs to orient visitors to Michigan's unique cultural and natural features. The Historic Townsite offers a representation of a once bustling industrial community (circa 1867-1891).

Hunting - 400 acres of land open to hunting

Playground - These play areas offer a variety of playground equipment for children.

Swimming - Lake Michigan Beach Information

Fishing - Big Bay de Noc provides some of the finest perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and salmon fishing in the Great Lakes. Fayette offers plenty of fishing opportunities whether from shore, the Snail Shell Harbor, or on the open waters from your own boat.

Picnic Area - Picnic tables and fire pits/grills Picnic Area - Picnic tables and fire pits/grills Adjacent to the beach, this area offers grills, a picnic shelter, water fountain/spigot, and vault toilets.

Picnic Shelter(s) - Reservations for this open air shelter can be made by contacting the park. Hiking Hiking Five miles of hiking trails wind through beech and maple hardwood forests and throughout the historic townsite. Visitors will enjoy scenic views from the overlook trail.

Boating Access Site/Launch - Access for boating and fishing. Located between the campground and the day use area, this provides access to the Big Bay de Noc.

Cross Country Ski - Five miles of trails wind through beech and maple hardwood forests and throughout the historic townsite. Trails are groomed.

Other - Located within the Historic Townsite is the Snail Shell Harbor. Approximately 300 feet of lineal dockage provides overnight or day use boating opportunities. The protected waters of Snail Shell Harbor are deep enough for larger pleasure crafts.

Scuba diving is allowed in Snail Shell Harbor during certain times of the day. A fee and use permit is required for this activity so all divers may participate. All submerged artifacts are to remain in place and nothing is to be removed from the harbor bottom.

Area Information and Special Events

On the second Saturday of August the annual Heritage Day is held. This event, sponsored by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries celebrates the "hey-day" of Fayette as a bustling iron smelting company town. Activities for the day include period displays, food, and music. For more information contact the park.

Information courtesy of the DNR

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