.gif)
Van Buren State Park (Michigan)
Encyclopedia
Van Buren State Park is a 400 acres (1.6 km²) state park on Lake Michigan
south of South Haven
, Michigan
, United States
. The park, which is maintained and operated by the Department of Natural Resources
, is located in the southwest corner of South Haven Township
and the northwest corner of Covert Township
, just north of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.
Van Buren became a state park in May 1965 when the original 167 acre (0.67582562 km²) plot was purchased from the Harry LaBar Drake family. Since then two other land purchases have been made to make up the current park. It has forested sand dunes, modern camping
and a popular swimming beach
. A state park permit is required for entry.
Directly north of the park is the Van Buren County–owned North Point Conservation Area.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
south of South Haven
South Haven, Michigan
South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
, 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"....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The park, which is maintained and operated by the Department of Natural Resources
Department of Natural Resources
Many sub-national governments have a Department of Natural Resources or similarly named organization:Australia*Queensland Department of Natural Resources and MinesCanada*Natural Resources Canada*New Brunswick**New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources...
, is located in the southwest corner of South Haven Township
South Haven Charter Township, Michigan
South Haven Charter Township is a charter township of Van Buren County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,046 at the 2000 census. The city of South Haven is located to the northwest of the township....
and the northwest corner of Covert Township
Covert Township, Michigan
Covert Township is a civil township of Van Buren County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,141.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all land....
, just north of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.
Van Buren became a state park in May 1965 when the original 167 acre (0.67582562 km²) plot was purchased from the Harry LaBar Drake family. Since then two other land purchases have been made to make up the current park. It has forested sand dunes, modern camping
Camping
Camping 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...
and a popular swimming beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
. A state park permit is required for entry.
Directly north of the park is the Van Buren County–owned North Point Conservation Area.
Facilities and activities
- Swimming
- Picnicking
- 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...
- 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...
: The camping area has 220 modern sites and features flush toilets, showers, and electric hookups. - Metal DetectingMetal detectorA metal detector is a device which responds to metal that may not be readily apparent.The simplest form of a metal detector consists of an oscillator producing an alternating current that passes through a coil producing an alternating magnetic field...
: Metal detecting is permitted in designated areas of the park; however, any found items are subject to review by park staff and may be retained pending further investigation.
External links
- Van Buren State Park Department of Natural ResourcesDepartment of Natural ResourcesMany sub-national governments have a Department of Natural Resources or similarly named organization:Australia*Queensland Department of Natural Resources and MinesCanada*Natural Resources Canada*New Brunswick**New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources...
- Van Buren State Park Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas)