Van Buren State Park (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Van Buren State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
Park sand dunes snow-covered in winter
|
|
 Van Buren State Park
Location in Michigan
|
|
| Location | Van Buren County, Michigan, United States |
| Nearest city | South Haven, Michigan |
| Area | 400 acres (160 ha) |
| Elevation | 646 feet (197 m) |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Established | 1966 |
| Administrator | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Van Buren State Park |
Van Buren State Park is a fun place to visit in Michigan, right next to Lake Michigan! It's a big park, about 400 acres in size. That's like having 300 football fields all together. You can find it about 4 miles south of a town called South Haven.
The park is looked after by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This group helps keep the park safe and clean for everyone. It's known for its cool, forested sand dunes and a nice swimming beach. You can also go camping here!
Park History: How it Started
Van Buren State Park opened in 1966. Before that, in 1965, the state bought the first 167 acres of land from the Harry LaBar Drake family. Later, they bought more land two different times. These extra purchases helped the park grow to its current size.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Van Buren State Park offers many exciting activities for visitors. It's a great spot to spend time outdoors with friends and family.
- Swimming: The park has a beautiful beach right on Lake Michigan. It's perfect for swimming on a hot day.
- Picnicking: You can bring your own food and enjoy a meal outdoors. There are special areas set up for picnics.
- Playground: Kids can have a blast on the park's playground. It's a great place to run around and play.
- Camping: If you love sleeping under the stars, the park has a large campground. There are 220 spots where you can set up your tent or park your RV.
