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 |
Allegan State Game Area is a huge forest in Allegan County, Michigan. It covers about 50,000 acres (202 square kilometers). This area is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. People come here to camp, hike, bike, and even ride horses. In winter, it's great for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Many also visit for hunting. You might hear people call it "Allegan Forest."
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Exploring Allegan Forest
Allegan Forest is a mix of different types of trees. Most of the forest is made up of hardwood trees. The Kalamazoo River flows through the northern part of this area. This river is a favorite place for people who enjoy canoeing and fishing.
Lake Allegan
A large, but shallow, body of water called Lake Allegan is formed behind the Calkins Bridge Dam. This lake is part of the Kalamazoo River system.
Camping Adventures
Allegan State Game Area has two simple campgrounds. These are great for people who love to camp in nature.
Ely Lake Campground
Ely Lake Campground is located right on Ely Lake. This is a small lake where you can't use motorized boats. It has a nice swimming beach. The campground offers picnic tables and fire pits at each spot. There are also vault toilets and water pumps available.
Silver Creek Campground
Silver Creek Campground is managed by Allegan County. It also has picnic tables and fire pits. You will find vault toilets and water pumps here too. A shallow, spring-fed creek runs through this campground. Silver Creek Campground has a pavilion. This covered area is perfect for day use, with its own picnic tables and fire pits. The roads leading to Silver Creek are paved. This makes it a good spot for road biking.
Camping Details
Both campgrounds are in very forested areas. They are perfect for tent and hammock camping. There are fees to camp, and you can make reservations ahead of time.
Outdoor Activities
Allegan Forest offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Hunting
During hunting season, many people visit to hunt. Popular animals to hunt include whitetail deer, Canada geese, and wild turkeys.
Trails for Everyone
The forest has many trails. In the summer, these trails are used by hikers and people riding horses. When winter comes, the trails become perfect for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Land Ownership
The forest is not one big, continuous piece of land. It has sections of private land mixed in. These private areas might have woods or homes. The state sometimes buys private land. This helps to make the forest bigger and connect the different parts.
