Interlochen State Park
Encyclopedia
Interlochen State Park is the State of Michigan's first officially recognized state park
. Situated between two freshwater lakes (Green Lake and Duck Lake), it is a popular camping destination. It was established by the Michigan Legislature
in 1917; $60,000 was paid for the land. Originally named Pine Park, the 187 acres (75.7 ha) public park was created to preserve for future generations the virgin pine (Pinus strobus) stand. It is one of the few easily reached places in Michigan where old-growth (pre-European
settlement) red pine
can be found.
In 1928, the National Music Camp was established on the property adjoining the northern boundary of the park. It is located next to the Interlochen Center for the Arts
.
Also popular at Interlochen State Park is the Three Discipline Triathlon
Event hosted each July.
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...
. Situated between two freshwater lakes (Green Lake and Duck Lake), it is a popular camping destination. It was established by the Michigan Legislature
Michigan Legislature
The Michigan Legislature is the legislative assembly of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is organized as a bicameral body consisting of the Senate, the upper house, and the House of Representatives, the lower house. Article IV of the state's Constitution, adopted in 1963, defines the role of the...
in 1917; $60,000 was paid for the land. Originally named Pine Park, the 187 acres (75.7 ha) public park was created to preserve for future generations the virgin pine (Pinus strobus) stand. It is one of the few easily reached places in Michigan where old-growth (pre-European
European American
A European American is a citizen or resident of the United States who has origins in any of the original peoples of Europe...
settlement) red pine
Red Pine
Pinus resinosa, commonly known as the red pine or Norway pine, is pine native to North America. The Red Pine occurs from Newfoundland west to Manitoba, and south to Pennsylvania, with several smaller, disjunct populations occurring in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia, as well...
can be found.
In 1928, the National Music Camp was established on the property adjoining the northern boundary of the park. It is located next to the Interlochen Center for the Arts
Interlochen Center for the Arts
Interlochen Center for the Arts is a privately owned, 1,200 acre arts education institution in Interlochen, Michigan, roughly 15 miles southwest of Traverse City...
.
Also popular at Interlochen State Park is the Three Discipline Triathlon
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
Event hosted each July.
Facilities and activities
- Swimming
- PlaygroundPlaygroundA playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
- FishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
. Bass, pike and bluegill can be found in both lakes during the summer months. Smelt and pike are favorites of anglers who like ice fishing. - Picnicking
- Picnic area
- Picnic shelter. One picnic shelter is available for rent.
- CampingCampingCamping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
- BoatingBoatingBoating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
. Three launches are maintained in the park. Each loop of the campground on Duck Lake has an access site, and the third is located in the rustic campground on Green Lake.
See also
- Hartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State ParkHartwick Pines State Park is a 9,672 acre State Park in the US state of Michigan, located in Crawford County near Grayling and Interstate 75. It is the third largest state park on Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the state's fifth-biggest park overall...
for the other stand of virgin Eastern White PineEastern White PinePinus strobus, commonly known as the eastern white pine, is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the northern edge of Georgia.It is occasionally known as simply white pine,...
in the Lower Peninsula.