WILSON STATE PARK
Situated on 36 wooded acres with a sandy beach on Budd Lake, Wilson State Park is located on the north end of Budd Lake in Clare County. The park was originally the site of the Wilson Brothers Sawmill and Company Store, which thrived in the late 1800s. The land was deeded to the City of Harrison in 1901 and in 1920 was turned over to the State of Michigan to be used as a state park. The park was officially dedicated in 1927. The beach and residence building at the park entrance were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1939 to 1941.
The Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. Details and information on how to obtain your Michigan Recreation Passport can be found by visiting the
MICHIGAN RECREATION PASSPORT web page.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Budd Lake, a 175- acre lake, boasts great fishing. A large fish population of muskellunge, bass, panfish, perch and walleye inhabit the lake. Besides fishing, pleasure boating and water-skiing are also popular activities on Budd Lake. A modern concrete launch ramp is located outside the park on the south end of the lake and mooring is allowed along the lake's shoreline
Wilson State Park is located near Harrison, Mount Pleasant
Cross Country Ski:
There are no established trails, park roads and campground paths provide plenty of opportunity for winter recreation.
Metal Detecting Areas:
Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreation activity when it is conducted in ways that do not damage the natural and cultural resources in Michigan State Parks nor violate applicable state statues. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation.
No hunting is allowed in Wilson State Park, but there are thousands of acres of state and federal land which are open to hunting only a few miles away. Grouse, woodcock, squirrel, rabbit, deer, and bear are all popular game animals in the surrounding hunting areas.
In the winter, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing are the major winter recreation activities around the park. There is also downhill skiing at Snowsnake Mountain, winter hiking, and golfing at the annual Frost Bite Open Golf Tournament on Budd Lake.
The Clare County Fairgrounds are across from the park and host many activities in the summer months including the County Fair, Michigan Bow Hunters Rendezvous, Monster Truck Show and the Exhibitor's Exposition. Other local activities are miniature golf, arcade games, batting cages, go-carts, canoeing on the Muskegon River, golf, biking and nature observation.
Pettit Park1525 North Mc Ewan Street
Clare, MI
989-386-7541
From S. US 27 to Harrison Exit, right 3.5 miles to park; from N. US 27 to Harrison Exit, right 4 miles to park.
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