Harrisville State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harrisville State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Beachfront along Lake Huron
Harrisville State Park Location in Michigan
Location	Harrisville / Harrisville Township Alcona County, Michigan
Area	107 acres (43 ha)
Elevation	587 feet (179 m)
Designation	Michigan state park
Established	1920
Visitors	151,273 (in 1996)
Administrator	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Website	Harrisville State Park

Harrisville State Park is a public recreation area covering 107 acres (43 ha) on the shore of Lake Huron off U.S. Route 23 in Harrisville and Harrisville Township, Alcona County, Michigan. The state park contains more than 100 acres of heavily forested land as well as a mile-long sandy beach. It is considered an important location for birders, with large and varied migratory populations of warblers and other song birds. The park is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

History

Harrisville State Park was among 13 parks established in 1920 following the creation of the Michigan State Parks Commission a year earlier. It originally covered only six acres (2.4 ha). The park's Cedar Run Nature Trail was cut through the forested areas of the park as early as 1945.

Wildlife

Harrisville State Park offers outstanding birding opportunities in May when numerous warbler species may be seen. Other species include nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens, thrushes, vireos, and sparrows.

Activities and amenities

The park features a swimming beach, bathhouse, picnic areas, sports fields, carry-in boat launch, 195 campground sites, cabin, and mini-cabins. The 2-mile (3.2 km) Cedar Run Nature Trail crosses forested areas of the park. A section of beach north of the campers area is pet friendly.

The park offers bike rentals, in coordination with the opening of the Alcona Heritage Route Multi-use Trail. The trail is a three-quarter mile paved, multi-use trail out of the park that connects to the trail to Harrisville.

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