Negwegon State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Negwegon State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Beachfront along Lake Huron
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 Negwegon State Park
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Lower Peninsula, Alpena County, Alcona County, Michigan, United States |
| Nearest city | Alpena, Michigan |
| Area | 4,118 acres (1,666 ha) |
| Elevation | 591 feet (180 m) |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Established | 1962 |
| Administrator | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Negwegon State Park |
Negwegon State Park is a special outdoor place in Michigan. It's located right on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron. This park is mostly wild and natural, without lots of buildings or paved roads. It covers a huge area of about 4,118 acres.
Negwegon State Park is found in both Alpena County and Alcona County. It's about 5 miles southeast of a small community called Ossineke. The park is known for its quiet beaches, thick pine forests, and open grassy areas. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources takes care of the park. They get help from a group of volunteers called "Friends of Negwegon."
Park History
The land for Negwegon State Park was first bought in 1962. Back then, it was known as Alpena State Park. In 1970, its name was changed. Local people wanted the park to honor an Ojibwe chieftain. This chieftain was known to have hunted and camped in the area a long time ago.
In 2016, Negwegon State Park became a special "dark sky preserve." This means the park is a great place to see the stars at night because there isn't much light pollution. Two other Michigan state parks, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Rockport State Park, also became dark sky preserves at the same time. The Besser Planetarium from Alpena sometimes hosts events at the park. These events let people come and view the stars and planets.
Fun Activities and What You'll Find
Negwegon State Park offers many ways to enjoy nature. You can explore the park on its 11 miles of hiking trails. It's a great place for a long walk or a quiet adventure.
The park also has primitive camping sites. This means the campsites are very basic, without modern facilities like flush toilets or showers. It's perfect if you like a more rugged camping experience. You can also go canoeing in the park's waters. Hunting is allowed in certain areas during specific seasons.
Getting to the park can be an adventure itself! The sand road that leads to the park's entrance might be tricky. You might need a vehicle with 4WD or All-wheel drive to get through the sand. Once you reach the state land boundary, the thin sand road changes. It becomes a much wider and smoother gravel road called Negwegon Park Road.
