Harrisville State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Harrisville State Park is located on the northeastern coast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, on the shores of Lake Huron.
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Summary
It is a beautiful and serene spot, with plenty of natural beauty and outdoor activities to enjoy. Here are some of the best reasons to visit Harrisville State Park:
1. Beaches: Harrisville State Park boasts a beautiful sandy beach that stretches for over a mile along the shores of Lake Huron. The water is clear and cool, making it a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
2. Hiking: There are several hiking trails within the park, including the Scenic Trail, which offers great views of the lake and surrounding wooded areas.
3. Fishing: Lake Huron is home to a variety of fish species, including trout, salmon, and walleye, making it a popular spot for anglers.
4. Camping: The park has a large campground with over 200 sites, including some that are right on the beach. There are also cabins and yurts available for rent.
5. Historic Lighthouse: The Harrisville State Park Lighthouse is a historic structure that dates back to the late 1800s. It is open for tours during the summer months.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Harrisville was once a major shipping port for lumber and agricultural products, and that it was named after one of its founders, Norman Harris. The best time of year to visit Harrisville State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is most active. However, the fall foliage in the area is also a beautiful sight to see.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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