McLain State Park

McLain State Park

Sign on M-203
Map showing the location of McLain State Park

Location within the state of Michigan

Location Hancock Township, Houghton County, Michigan, USA
Nearest city Calumet, Michigan
Coordinates 47°14′13″N 88°36′26″W / 47.23682°N 88.60731°W / 47.23682; -88.60731Coordinates: 47°14′13″N 88°36′26″W / 47.23682°N 88.60731°W / 47.23682; -88.60731
Area 443 acres (179 ha)
Governing body Michigan Department of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=423&type=SPRK

McLain State Park is a 443-acre (179 ha) state park on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Houghton County, Michigan. It is located on M-203 halfway between Hancock and Calumet.[1]

Description

Sandy beach at McLain

The park is on the shore of Lake Superior, and most of the beach areas are rocky. However, a stretch of land known as the Breakwaters, on the edge of the park near the Keweenaw Waterway, is sandy and popular for swimming. There are also swimming areas adjacent to the campground.

McLain lies between the towns of Calumet and Houghton/Hancock. It is a popular destination for mountain bikers and road bikers as it has many trails through and near the park, and the park is situated approximately 10 miles from both cities which have biking traditions and many trails.

McLain State Park is also home to a campground, with showers and bathrooms. This campground is popular in the summertime, and offers sunsets over Lake Superior. It has about 80 campsites all of which are on or near the water's edge and a handful of small and rustic cabins, most of which sleep 4. They have one cabin that sleeps 8 and has a small primitive kitchen area. There are playgrounds scattered throughout.

Sunset over Lake Superior

There is a fee to enter the park with a car or to use the campground. Pedestrian access to the park is free, and there is a free parking area outside the gates.

During the first week of the fall semester, Michigan Technological University holds "K-Day" (or "Keweenaw Day") at the park.[2] The university cancels afternoon classes so that students and faculty can enjoy a day of fun, sun, music, games, and food.

The spelling of the park's name is inconsistent on roadsigns and in local publications, varying between "McLain", "MacLain", and "McClain".

Facilities

Activities

Nearby Points of Interest

References

  1. "F.J. McLain State Park". CopperCountry.com. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  2. "K-Day - Michigan Technological University". Retrieved 29 September 2011.
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