Mitchell State Park

William Mitchell State Park is a public recreation area covering 660 acres (270 ha) on the southwest side of Cadillac in northern lower Michigan. The state park is located between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. The historic Clam Lake Canal, approximately one-third of a mile in length, connects the two lakes and runs directly through the park.^[2] Dug in 1873 at the direction of city father George A. Mitchell, the canal allowed felled trees to be floated from Lake Mitchell to lumber mills on Lake Cadillac.^[3]

William Mitchell State Park
Clam Lake Canal with campground on the right
Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Mitchell State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan, United States
Coordinates	44°14′17″N 85°27′08″W
Area	660 acres (270 ha)
Elevation	1,289 feet (393 m)
Established	1920[1]
Administered by	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Visitors	155,633 (in 1996)
Designation	Michigan state park
Named for	William W. Mitchell
Website	Official website

History

The park bears the name of William W. Mitchell, who during the 1890s operated sawmills in the area as co-owner of the Cobbs and Mitchell Mill No. 1,^[4] and who was a nephew of city founder George Mitchell.^[5] Under the name Cadillac State Park, it was among 13 parks established in 1920 following the creation of the Michigan State Parks Commission a year earlier.^[6][7] The park's "prime real estate" was donated by Mitchell's widow, Ellen, who requested the park be named in her late husband's honor.^[4]

Features

The park is home to Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center which documents the history of hunting and fishing, offers seminars, workshops and audio-visual presentations, and includes an exhibit hall which displays local wildlife species.^[8]

Activities and amenities

The park offers a campground with 221 sites, cabins, two boat launches, playground, beach, picnicking facilities, and fishing for perch, walleye, panfish, and bass. The 2.5-mile (4.0 km) Heritage Nature Trail runs through a woodland and marsh environment. The trail, mostly a woodchip path with a series of bridges and boardwalks, provides a study area supporting a variety of plants and wildlife. Winter activities include snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.^[2]

Images

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  Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center
• 
  Main entrance park signage
• 
  Clam Lake Canal and campground
• 
  Beachfront along Lake Mitchell