Holly Recreation Area

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Parks

Michigan

Nearby: Groveland Oaks County Park Holly Recreational Area

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Holly Recreation Area is a state park located in Michigan, USA.

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Summary

It offers visitors a unique experience with its picturesque lakes, scenic trails, and abundant wildlife. The park is spread over 7,817 acres and is located in Holly, Michigan. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and families.

The park offers a variety of activities for visitors including hiking, fishing, picnicking, kayaking, and camping. There are over 18 miles of hiking trails, 9 miles of mountain biking trails, and 8 miles of equestrian trails to explore. The park also has two lakes, the 85-acre Big Fish Lake and the 18-acre McGinnis Lake, which are perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming.

One of the most popular attractions at the park is the Holly Woods Disc Golf Course, which is considered to be one of the best disc golf courses in Michigan. The park also offers a shooting range, an archery range, and a playground for children.

The best time to visit Holly Recreation Area is during the summer months when the weather is warm and outdoor activities are in full swing. The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months.

Interesting facts about Holly Recreation Area include its history as a former site for a Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression. The park was established in 1945 and was named after the nearby town of Holly. Today, the park is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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