Indian Lake State Park (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian Lake State Park |
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View of Indian Lake from the boat launch
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 Indian Lake State Park
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Upper Peninsula, Schoolcraft County, Michigan, United States |
| Nearest city | Manistique, Michigan |
| Area | 847 acres (343 ha) |
| Elevation | 630 feet (190 m) |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Established | 1932 |
| Administrator | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Indian Lake State Park |
Indian Lake State Park is a fun outdoor spot in Schoolcraft County, located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This state park covers about 847 acres (343 ha) of land. It's special because it has two separate parts, or units, that are about three miles apart. One part is on the south side of Indian Lake, and the other is on the west side.
Park History and Development
The land for the south shore part of Indian Lake State Park was first bought in 1932. Later, in 1939, the land for the west shore unit was added. Work on the west shore unit began in 1965.
Building the Park: The CCC and WPA
In the 1930s, two important groups helped build up the south shore area of the park. These were the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the WPA.
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a program during the Great Depression. It put young men to work on conservation projects across the country. They helped build parks, plant trees, and improve natural areas.
- The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was another government program from the same time. It created jobs for many people, including building roads, bridges, and public buildings like those found in parks.
Thanks to these groups, the park still has some cool old buildings. They built a log bath house and a large limestone picnic shelter. This picnic shelter is about 40 by 80 feet and is still used by visitors today!
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Indian Lake State Park is a great place for outdoor adventures. There are many activities you can enjoy:
- Swimming: On hot days, you can cool off in the lake.
- Boating: Bring your boat or kayak and explore the waters of Indian Lake.
- Hiking: Walk along the trails and enjoy the nature around you.
- Picnicking: Pack a lunch and enjoy it at one of the picnic areas, maybe even in the historic limestone shelter!
- Camping: Spend a night or more under the stars at the park's campgrounds.
