William Mitchell State Park | |
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Location | Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan, USA |
Coordinates | 44°14′17″N 85°27′08″W / 44.23805°N 85.45222°WCoordinates: 44°14′17″N 85°27′08″W / 44.23805°N 85.45222°W |
Area | 334 acres (1.35 km2) |
Established | 1919 |
Visitors | 155,633 (in 1996) |
Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
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William Mitchell State Park is a state park in Cadillac, Michigan, United States. The park is one of the more popular camping destinations in northern lower Michigan. It is located between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. A historic canal, approximately one third of a mile in length, connects the two lakes and runs directly through the park. Dug in 1873, the canal allowed felled trees to be floated from Lake Mitchell to lumber mills on Lake Cadillac. The 334-acre (1.35 km2) park was officially dedicated in 1919.
The park contains 221 campsites. There are both "premium modern" and "modern" campsites, as designated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which operates the park. Many of the campsite locations are shaded and feature 50-amp electric hookups. There are also modern toilet buildings, showers and sanitation stations.
Eight campsites are wheelchair-accessible. A mini-cabin and a camper cabin are also available for rent. There are two boat launches, and recreational watercraft can be docked on the side of the canal, next to the campsites. A playground is also located in the campground.
A day-use area is located on Lake Mitchell, offering a sandy beach, a picnic area, a picnic shelter and playground equipment. There is a roped-off swim area.
The boat launch facilities on Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell allow easy access to water sports and fishing activities. Both lakes are noted as fine walleye fisheries and are popular fishing areas during the summer. Anglers can expect good catches of perch, walleye, panfish and bass.
In the winter, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular recreational activities.