Ionia State Recreation Aea
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
The Ionia State Recreation Area is a popular destination located in the state of Michigan.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
It features numerous outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. Visitors can enjoy over 4,500 acres of beautiful forested land and explore the 100-acre Sessions Lake.
One of the key attractions at the Ionia State Recreation Area is the campground, which offers over 300 modern campsites and cabins. The park also features numerous trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as a beach area for swimming and sunbathing.
For those interested in history, the park is home to the Sessions Lake CCC Camp Museum, which showcases the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Michigan during the Great Depression.
Visitors can also enjoy hunting and fishing at the Ionia State Recreation Area, as the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and waterfowl. Additionally, the park features several picnic areas and a boat launch, making it a great destination for a day trip or weekend getaway.
The best time to visit the Ionia State Recreation Area is in the summer, as the weather is warm and sunny, and the park offers more activities and events during this time. However, the park is open year-round, and each season offers its own unique opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Overall, the Ionia State Recreation Area is a great destination for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and families looking for a fun and relaxing getaway.
Weather Forecast
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Ionia State Rec Area
|
||
Ionia Equestrian-Rustic
|
||
Bertha Brock County Park
|
Bertha Brock Park
Fallasburg County Park
Stoney Lakeside Park
Bogue Flats Recreation Area