Among Michigan’s more than 100 state parks, only four can provide visitors an extra hour when they visit this summer.
The parks in Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron and Menominee counties in the western U.P. are Michigan’s only four counties within the Central Time Zone.
Among the parks where visitors may feel slightly out of time are J.W. Wells State Park, which offers a day of waterfront relaxation on Green Bay, Iron County’s Bewabic State Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Menominee River State Recreation Area which straddles the Michigan-Wisconsin border, and Lake Gogebic State Park, which is on the U.P.’s biggest inland lake.
The state’s other 79 counties are in the Eastern Time Zone.
Here’s what to know about Michigan’s state parks in Central time.
What part of Michigan is in Central Time Zone?
While most of Michigan’s 83 counties are in the Eastern zone, four counties in the western Upper Peninsula are in the Central Time Zone: Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron and Menominee counties.
Lake Gogebic State Park camping to reopen mid-summer
The U.P.’s largest inland lake, Lake Gogebic, boasts Lake Gogebic State Park. While camping options are temporarily limited, you can swim in the lake, boat, fish or paddle on the waters, enjoy a picnic onshore afterward, and take a hike on a nature trail.
The modern campground and tiny house are closed for upgrades, including water, sewer and electrical system work. They’re set to reopen July 20.
The park is near the Ottawa National Forest and, for a scenic day trip, you can visit Bond Falls and Agate Falls.
Camp along Green Bay at J.W. Wells State Park
Cedar River’s J.W. Wells State Park offers 700 acres of outdoor recreation along 3 miles of Green Bay leading into Lake Michigan in Cedar River in Menominee County.
For a stay at the park, you can choose from the modern campground, rustic cabins, rustic campsites and the historic Bay Stone Lodge.
The park offers swimming, fishing, and other beach activities. The park has an accessible playground. Hunting is allowed, but be sure to contact park officials for the rules, the park’s website advises.
The park is named for lumberman pioneer John Walter Wells and was donated to the state by his children, the park’s website notes.
Bewabic State Park boasts historic sites
Sitting along Fortune Lake in Iron County, Bewabic State Park spans 315 acres and features a rich Civilian Conservation Corps legacy.
The state park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 because of its historic Civilian Conservation Corps-built buildings, including the Bewabic Bathhouse.
The park offers swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and paddling and sunbathing on the beach, playing tennis or playing on the playground. Hiking is available and certain areas offer metal detecting, with details available on the park’s map.
You can extend your stay at the Bewabic modern campground, with 130 sites, including four rustic walk-in campsites. Driving an ORV is allowed between the campground and nearby ORV trails, to exit and enter the park only.
Menominee River State Recreation Area crosses interstate border
The Menominee River State Recreation Area spans 7,652 acres, running along 17 miles of the Menominee River along the Michigan-Wisconsin border in the U.P. The park is co-managed between the two states, and in Michigan, is in Dickinson and Menominee counties.
You’ll find rocky gorges and towering pines along the river, and wildlife like eagles, osprey, common loons and waterfowl, the park’s website notes. Camping is available at four paddle-in canoe campsites on Wisconsin islands or in Michigan’s Faithorn Township Campground.
The park offers activities ranging from fishing and hunting to wildlife viewing, kayaking and whitewater rafting, boating, hiking and mountain biking.
USA TODAY Network contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Need some extra time? These 4 state parks can make that happen
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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