Allegan State Game Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allegan State Game Area |
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 Allegan State Game Area
Location in Michigan
Allegan State Game Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Allegan County, Michigan |
| Nearest city | Allegan, Michigan |
| Area | 50,000 acres (200 km2) |
| Governing body |  Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
The Allegan State Game Area is a huge forest in Michigan where you can have lots of outdoor fun! It covers about 50,000 acres, which is like 38,000 football fields. People often call it the Allegan Forest.
This amazing forest is located in the western part of Allegan County, Michigan. One main entrance is just west of the city of Allegan. It's a popular spot for many activities all year round.
Contents
Discover Allegan Forest!
What is the Allegan State Game Area?
The Allegan State Game Area is a special protected forest. It's managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This area helps protect wildlife and offers many ways for people to enjoy nature.
It's a mix of different trees, but mostly hardwood forests. This means you'll see lots of oak, maple, and other trees that lose their leaves in the fall.
Fun Things to Do in the Forest
There are so many exciting things to do in the Allegan Forest, no matter the season!
Camping Adventures
If you love sleeping under the stars, Allegan Forest has two simple campgrounds. They are perfect for tent or hammock camping.
- Ely Lake Campground: This campground is right by Ely Lake. It's a small lake where you can't use motorboats, making it very peaceful. There's even a swimming beach!
- Silver Creek Campground: This campground is next to a shallow, spring-fed creek. It's a great spot for road biking because the roads leading to it are paved.
Both campgrounds offer picnic tables and fire pits at each campsite. They also have vault toilets and water pump stations. You can make reservations and there are small fees to camp. Silver Creek also has a pavilion you can use during the day.
Exploring the Trails
The forest has many trails for different activities.
- Summer Fun: In warmer months, you can go hiking or ride horses on the trails. It's a great way to explore the woods and see nature up close.
- Winter Sports: When snow covers the ground, the trails transform! You can go snowmobiling or cross-country skiing for a thrilling winter adventure.
Rivers and Lakes
The beautiful Kalamazoo River flows through the northern part of the forest.
- Canoeing and Fishing: The Kalamazoo River is a favorite spot for people who love to canoe or fish. You might catch some interesting fish here!
- Lake Allegan: Behind the Calkins Bridge Dam, the Kalamazoo River widens into Lake Allegan. It's a large lake, but it's not very deep.
Wildlife You Might See
The Allegan Forest is home to many animals. It's a great place to observe wildlife.
- Common Animals: You might spot white-tailed deer, which are very common in Michigan.
- Birds: Look up and you might see Canada geese flying overhead or wild turkeys roaming the forest floor.
During certain times of the year, people come to the forest for hunting. This activity is carefully managed to help keep the animal populations healthy.
