Brimley State Park
Encyclopedia
Brimley State Park is a state park
in Michigan
. Established in 1923, it is one of the oldest state parks in the region.
The initial 38 acre (0.15378068 km²) were a gift from the Village of Brimley, with the remaining area acquired through purchase or exchange. Today, the park consists of 151 acre (0.61107586 km²) with 237 campsites, hiking trails, a large picnic area, playground, beautiful swimming beach and a picnic shelter that can be rented. Electric and water systems were added in 1947. Brimley State Park is located west of Sault Ste. Marie
on the shores of Whitefish Bay
, one mile (1.6 km) east of Brimley on 6 Mile Road.
The Straits normally experiences mild summers with average temperatures around 70 °F (21 °C). Winter temperatures average 14 - 18 °F (-10 to -8 °C). Yearly rain and snowmelt in the region averages 28 - 36 inches but can be dramatically altered by the "lake effect," thus depositing significant amounts of snow within a short period of time causing hazardous road conditions.
Brimley State Park features a 237-site modern campground as well as a mini-cabin and a beautiful swimming beach on Lake Superior
's Whitefish Bay
. There are three modern bathhouses with hot and cold running water and one accessible unit for those with special needs. Both sunny and shady campsites are available. The campground facilities open from April 15th to November 5th with no modern toilets the first and last month. The handicapped accessible mini-cabin, which can sleep four on bunk beds, offers a microwave, small fridge, small heater, charcoal grill, picnic table and fire ring.
Day users will find a very grassy area with picnic tables, grills, playground equipment, picnic shelter and restrooms. The beautiful beach is a favorite summer swimming destination and boasts the warmest swimming in lake superior.
For the boating enthusiast, a launch provides access to Whitefish Bay
. The St. Marys River and the Waiska River
are a short boat ride from the launch. These waters offer the angler fishing for whitefish
, perch
, northern pike
, bass (fish)
and walleye
.
Hunting is not permitted in the park. However, hunters can find snowshoe hare
, deer, black bear
and ruffed grouse
on thousands of acres on nearby State and National forest lands.
An abandoned railroad grade located near the park can be used for hiking. The North Country Trail
is within driving distance of the park.
Although closed in the winter, Brimley State Park is accessible for snowshoe
ing and cross-country skiing
.
Within the local area visitors can explore Tahquamenon Falls
, two national fish hatcheries
, Hiawatha National Forest
, Mackinac Island State Park
, the Tower of History, the Museum Ship Valley Camp, the Soo Locks
, the Coast Guard Station, the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge
and the Mackinac Bridge
. A scenic view of the Canadian highlands can be seen north of the park.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Established in 1923, it is one of the oldest state parks in the region.
The initial 38 acre (0.15378068 km²) were a gift from the Village of Brimley, with the remaining area acquired through purchase or exchange. Today, the park consists of 151 acre (0.61107586 km²) with 237 campsites, hiking trails, a large picnic area, playground, beautiful swimming beach and a picnic shelter that can be rented. Electric and water systems were added in 1947. Brimley State Park is located west of Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Sault Ste. Marie is a city in and the county seat of Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is in the north-eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the Canadian border, separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River...
on the shores of Whitefish Bay
Whitefish Bay
Whitefish Bay is a large bay on the eastern end of the southern shore of Lake Superior between Michigan and Ontario. It begins in the north and west at Whitefish Point in Michigan, about 10 miles north of Paradise, Michigan and ends at the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie on the southeast...
, one mile (1.6 km) east of Brimley on 6 Mile Road.
The Straits normally experiences mild summers with average temperatures around 70 °F (21 °C). Winter temperatures average 14 - 18 °F (-10 to -8 °C). Yearly rain and snowmelt in the region averages 28 - 36 inches but can be dramatically altered by the "lake effect," thus depositing significant amounts of snow within a short period of time causing hazardous road conditions.
Facilities
Brimley State Park is a seasonal park affording hiking, camping, cabin lodging, swimming, picnicking, a playground, boating, and fishing. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers are welcome to use the park in the off-season.Brimley State Park features a 237-site modern campground as well as a mini-cabin and a beautiful swimming beach on Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
's Whitefish Bay
Whitefish Bay
Whitefish Bay is a large bay on the eastern end of the southern shore of Lake Superior between Michigan and Ontario. It begins in the north and west at Whitefish Point in Michigan, about 10 miles north of Paradise, Michigan and ends at the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie on the southeast...
. There are three modern bathhouses with hot and cold running water and one accessible unit for those with special needs. Both sunny and shady campsites are available. The campground facilities open from April 15th to November 5th with no modern toilets the first and last month. The handicapped accessible mini-cabin, which can sleep four on bunk beds, offers a microwave, small fridge, small heater, charcoal grill, picnic table and fire ring.
Day users will find a very grassy area with picnic tables, grills, playground equipment, picnic shelter and restrooms. The beautiful beach is a favorite summer swimming destination and boasts the warmest swimming in lake superior.
For the boating enthusiast, a launch provides access to Whitefish Bay
Whitefish Bay
Whitefish Bay is a large bay on the eastern end of the southern shore of Lake Superior between Michigan and Ontario. It begins in the north and west at Whitefish Point in Michigan, about 10 miles north of Paradise, Michigan and ends at the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie on the southeast...
. The St. Marys River and the Waiska River
Waiska River
-References:*...
are a short boat ride from the launch. These waters offer the angler fishing for whitefish
Freshwater whitefish
The freshwater whitefish are fish of the subfamily Coregoninae in the salmon family Salmonidae. Along with the freshwater whitefish, the Salmonidae includes the freshwater and anadromous trout and salmon species as well as graylings...
, perch
Perch
Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca, freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The perch, of which there are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke meaning spotted, and the...
, northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
, bass (fish)
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
and walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
.
Hunting is not permitted in the park. However, hunters can find snowshoe hare
Snowshoe Hare
The Snowshoe Hare , also called the Varying Hare, or Snowshoe Rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet and the marks its tail leaves. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks...
, deer, black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
and ruffed grouse
Ruffed Grouse
The Ruffed Grouse is a medium-sized grouse occurring in forests from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska. It is non-migratory.The Ruffed Grouse is frequently referred to as a "partridge"...
on thousands of acres on nearby State and National forest lands.
An abandoned railroad grade located near the park can be used for hiking. The North Country Trail
North Country Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail , which stretches approximately from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea in central North Dakota in the United States, is the longest of the eleven National Scenic Trails authorized by Congress...
is within driving distance of the park.
Although closed in the winter, Brimley State Park is accessible for snowshoe
Snowshoe
A snowshoe is footwear for walking over the snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called "flotation"....
ing and cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
.
Within the local area visitors can explore Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls
The Tahquamenon Falls are two different waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River. Both sets are located near Lake Superior in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The water is notably brown in color from the tannins leached from the cedar swamps which the river drains...
, two national fish hatcheries
Fish hatchery
A fish hatchery is a "place for artificial breeding, hatching and rearing through the early life stages of animals, finfish and shellfish in particular". Hatcheries produce larval and juvenile fish primarily to support the aquaculture industry where they are transferred to on-growing systems...
, Hiawatha National Forest
Hiawatha National Forest
Hiawatha National Forest is a National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan in the United States. Commercial logging is conducted in some areas. The United States Forest Service administers this National Forest; it is physically divided into two subunits, commonly called the...
, Mackinac Island State Park
Mackinac Island State Park
Mackinac Island State Park is a state park located on Mackinac Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. The island park encompasses 2.81 mi² , which is approximately 74% of the island's total area of 3.78 mi² . The park is also within the boundaries of the city of Mackinac Island and has permanent...
, the Tower of History, the Museum Ship Valley Camp, the Soo Locks
Soo Locks
The Soo Locks are a set of parallel locks which enable ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. They are located on the St. Marys River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, between the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario...
, the Coast Guard Station, the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge
Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge
The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, often known just as the International Bridge, spans the St. Marys River between the United States and Canada connecting the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It serves as the northern terminus of Interstate 75...
and the Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge is the third longest in total suspension in the world and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages...
. A scenic view of the Canadian highlands can be seen north of the park.