Hayes State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Walter J. Hayes State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Beach area along Wamplers Lake
Walter J. Hayes State Park Location in Michigan
Location	Lenawee County, Michigan, United States
Nearest town	Onsted, Michigan
Area	654 acres (265 ha)
Elevation	968 feet (295 m)
Designation	Michigan state park
Established	1920
Administrator	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Website	Hayes State Park

Walter J. Hayes State Park is a great place for outdoor fun in Michigan! This public park covers about 654 acres. It's located in the beautiful Irish Hills area, right on the southeast side of Wamplers Lake. Most of the park is in Lenawee County, but a small part stretches into Jackson and Washtenaw counties.

The park gives you easy access to Wamplers Lake, which is a big lake perfect for boating and fishing. It also completely surrounds Round Lake, a smaller lake that connects to Wamplers Lake through a channel. Other pretty lakes like Evans Lake and Sand Lake are also nearby. You can find the park along Michigan Route 124.

Park History: How It Started

Early Days and Naming

Walter J. Hayes State Park opened in 1920. It was one of the first 25 state parks created by the Michigan State Parks Commission. At first, people called it Cedar Hills State Park or Adrian State Park. The park began with 99 acres bought by the state. Two more land donations made the park about 200 acres in total.

In 1930, the park's name changed. It was renamed after the family of Michigan State Senator Walter J. Hayes. His family donated more land, and they asked for the park to be named after him.

Improvements by the CCC

During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped improve the park. The CCC was a program that gave jobs to young men during the Great Depression. They built many things in parks across the country. A CCC camp, called SP1, was active in Hayes State Park from 1933 to 1935. They helped make the park even better for visitors.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Walter J. Hayes State Park offers many activities for families and friends.

• Fishing: You can fish for different types of fish like bass, bluegill, and pike.
• Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim in the lake.
• Hiking: Explore the park's trails and enjoy nature.
• Picnicking: There are great spots to have a picnic with your family.
• Boating: You can launch your own boat or rent one at the park.
• Camping: The park has campgrounds if you want to stay overnight.
• Mini-Cabins: For a different experience, you can also rent cozy mini-cabins.