07-22-2002, 07:08 AM
<b>Clear Lake State Park</b><br><br><IMG SRC="http://www.michigandnr.com/images/RecreationCamping/parkphotos/ionialake250x188.jpg"><br><br><br>Located in elk country, Clear Lake State Park is a quiet, secluded retreat offering a sandy beach and a shallow swimming area that is ideal for children. <br><br>History Dedicated a State Park in 1966, the park has 290 acres of land and encompasses 2/3 of the Clear Lake's shoreline. <br><br>Camping and Day Use The park has 200 modern campsites, located on the north shore of Clear Lake. Electrical hookups are available at each campsite and two restroom/shower buildings service the park. There is easy access to a sandy beach and swimming area. The Day Use area is on the south shore of Clear Lake. It offers a pavilion for reunions and gatherings, horseshoe courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, a sandy beach and swimming area.<br><br>Mini-Cabin Clear Lake State Park offers a mini-cabin for rent in the Upper Campground. The cabin is designed to sleep 4 people with bunks and mattresses provided. The cabin has electricity, a picnic table and grill.<br><br><br>Boating And Fishing Boating & Fishing are available at Clear Lake. Access to the lake is provided through two paved boat launches. Clear Lake has 133 acres of surface area and is spring fed with no inlets or outlets and is 100' deep. A variety of fish species have been planted in Clear Lake. The lake is excellent for trout and smallmouth bass fishing. There is excellent canoeing in the nearby Ausable and Thunder Bay Rivers. <br><br>Hunting Deer, elk, turkey and small game are plentiful in the Mackinac State Forest. Hunting is allowed in the forest area during the appropraite seasons. <br><br>Trail Information<br>From the park there is access to over 70 miles of hiking/biking trails. A 4.5 mile groomed cross country ski trail runs from the park to Canada Creek. Near the park, is access to ORV and snowmobile trails.<br><br>Other <br><br>Mackinaw State Forest Clear Lake State Park is located within the Mackinaw State Forest. This State Forest is composed of the northern eight counties of the Lower Peninsula. The Atlanta area of this forest contains over 258,000 acres of state-owned public land. Most of the virgin timber was removed from the forest by the 1920's and has been replaced by second-growth forests managed by the DNR. Elk Sightings Elk can be seen and heard throughout the area in the early morning and evening, especially during the spring and fall. Native elk disappeared from Michigan nearly 100 years ago, they were reintroduced in 1918 and have multiplied into a large herd. <br>Scenic Drive A 48.5 scenic drive, marked by yellow-topped posts, begins at the corner of M-33 and Voyer Lake Road. Deer, elk, black bear, snowshoe hare, fox, coyote, raccoon, squirrel, ruffed grouse, bald eagle, loon and great blue heron are among the wildlife species that might be seen along the drive. The drive is especially beautiful in the fall with the changing leaves.<br>Location Take M-33 nine miles north of Atlanta.<br><br> <br> <br> Clear Lake- Modern - (800) 447-2757, 200 site(s), $15.00, Toilets/Electricity, Electricity Only, Mini Cabin <br> Clear Lake- Organization - , $0.00, Organization Camp for Non Profit use <br> <br><br><br><A HREF="http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/" target="_new">http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/MESS6438/</A> <br>For Kids Sake <br>Recycle your old Equipment<br>Dave