Established September 9, 1920 Located on the Shores of Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac History
• Originally dedicated as “Cadillac State Park” on September 9, 1920. • Initial 26 acres of land was donated by the widow of William Mitchell, founder and first mayor of Cadillac. • Additional lands slowly added to bring the park to its current size of 627 acres. 627 Acres
• Including Modern Campground 1 Mini Cabin 1 Camper Cabin Picnic Area and Beach Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center 2.5 Miles of Nature Trails
Camping
Then 1920’s
Now 2012 Modern Campground
• 221 Modern Campsites (electrical hook-ups on each site) • 24 Campsites with 50 amp Electrical Service • Two Dump and Fill Stations Available for Camper Use •Campground Open Year Round with Plowed Campsites and Heated Toilet/Shower Facilities • Campsites 20/30AMP - $27/night 20/30/50 AMP - $29/night Off Season - $27/night •Reservations Can be Made 6 Months in Advance by Calling 1-800-447-2757, or at www.michigan.gov/stateparks
Toilet/Shower Buildings
North Toilet Building • Constructed in 2003 • 9 Unisex Showers • 1 Family Restroom and Shower
South Toilet Building • Constructed in 1971 • Two Male/Two Female Showers • Open Year Round Camper Cabin
• Open Year Round with Electric Heat • Located on the Shore of Lake Cadillac • $80/night • Sleeps up to 5 in two sets of bunk beds and a futon. • 3 Separate Rooms • Row Boat and Private Dock Provided During Summer Months
Camper Cabin Continued
•Small Microwave and Refrigerator Available for Use; no Linens Provided. • Reservations Can be Made up to One Year in Advance by Calling 1-800-447- 2757, or at www.michigan.gov/stateparks. Mini Cabin
• Open Year Round with Electric Heat • Located on the Shore of Lake Cadillac • $45/night • Sleeps up to 4 in two sets of bunk beds • One Room • Reservations Can be Made up to One Year in Advance by Calling 1-800-447-2757, or at www.michigan.gov/stateparks. Other Campground Assets
• Small Beach Area located on Lake Cadillac for Camper’s Use • Boating Access Site on Lake Cadillac • Firewood and Ice Sales offered at Campground Office • Small Playground Lake Mitchell Day Use Area
Playground and Picnic Area
Popular Swimming Beach Picnic Shelter
• Located Within the Lake Mitchell Day Use Area • Available for Rent Between Memorial Day and Labor Day Reservations Made by Calling 1-800-447-2757, or at www.michigan.gov/stateparks. $50/Day • No Electrical Service • Available on a First Come Basis When Not Reserved
Fishing
• Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell have large populations of Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill, Perch, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. The two lakes are connected by a canal.
• Together Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell offer over 3,700 acres of prime fish holding habitat. Lake Cadillac is approximately 1,120 acres in size and features over 400 acres of prime fish-holding weed cover. A fertile body of water, 50% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less.
• Lake Mitchell spans over 2,580 acres with approximately 2,000 acres dominated by lush patches of aquatic cabbage weed. Over 95 percent of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Lake Mitchell Boating Access Site
• 30 Parking Spaces • 2 Launch Lanes • Entrance Through Day Use Area • Recreation Passport Required for Entry Shoreline Fishing Opportunities
Fishing Pier Located Within the Campground on Lake Cadillac Clam Lake Canal Canal History Timeline
• Constructed in 1873 as an efficient way to move logs to the lumber mills and railroads of Cadillac • The channel is 1/3 mile long and was originally 20 feet wide • Improvements and widening have occurred at least 7 times leading to the current width of 48 feet
Canal Fun Fact
When the temperatures begin to drop the Canal between Lakes Cadillac & Mitchell first freezes, and is frozen for a short period of time, then once the lakes become cold enough to freeze, they are all frozen for a really short period of time, then the canal opens back up for the rest of the winter. The locals say that it's because the lakes are so different in depth and shape that the water flowing between the lakes opens the canal back up... but scientists have not finalized this assessment. Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center • Located across the canal from the campground
• Michigan’s only visitor center focused on the hunting and fishing sports
• Open year round • Daily programs throughout the summer months • Many special programs and educational classes Archery/Pellet Gun Ranges & Youth Fishing Classes For an up-to-date listing of events at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, visit www.michigan.gov/huntfishcenter.gov. Heritage Nature Trail
• 2.5 Miles of Hiking Trail Located Behind the Hunting and Fishing Center • 2 Miles Encircle a Marsh Offering Excellent Wildlife Viewing Opportunities • A Fishing Pier and Observation Tower Improve Viewing and Accessibility • Groomed for Cross Country Skiing in the Winter • Interpretive Panels Located Throughout Offering Interesting Nature Facts
Annual Mitchell State Park Events
DAY ON THE CANAL 3RD Saturday in June Includes cardboard boat races, craft fair, food and more
FIRE PREVENTION DAYS Multiple Saturday’s During Year Fire Equipment and Smokey Bear Winter at Mitchell State Park
• Campground Open Year Round • Ice Fishing on Two Lakes • 2.5 Miles of Groomed Cross County Ski Trails • Snowmobile Trail Access Through Park Fred Meijer White Pine Trail Linear State Park • Michigan’s longest linear trail – 92 miles • Extends from Cadillac to Comstock Park • Open to multiple uses including hiking, bicycling and snowmobiling in the winter.
State Forest Campgrounds
Wexford County • Baxter Bridge SFCG • Old 131 SFCG • Long Lake SFCG Missaukee County • Goose Lake SFCG • Long Lake SFCG • Hopkins Creek SFCG • Hopkins Creek Trail Camp Grand Traverse County • Spring Lake SFCG Other Responsibilities
• 7 Off-Site Boating Access Sites • 3 ORV Trailheads and Trail Systems • Cadillac Pathway Offering 11 Miles of Hiking, Mountain Biking and Cross Country Skiing Approximately 5 Miles From Cadillac • Oversight of Cadillac Winter Promotions Snowmobile Club Park Staff
• 5 Permanent Staff
• Approximately 17 Summer Workers Hired Each Year.
• Contact the Park for information on employment opportunities. Wm. Mitchell State Park 6093 E. M-115 Cadillac, MI 49601 (231)775-7911