Copyright: Michigan State Parks & Forests
Fayette Historic State Park attracts thousands each year including scuba divers.
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Description - Fayette Historic State Park encompasses 711 acres featuring a restored iron smelting company town (1867-1891). The townsite is jointly administered with the Michigan Historical Center, Department of State. The variety of day use and overnight facilities attract thousands each year to this bayside park.
Attractions
- Fayette State Historic Park is one of the Upper Peninsula's most unique state parks. In addition to the typical state park amenities of hiking and camping, this park features a townsite and scuba diving opportunities. Guided and self-guided walking tours are available for the historic townsite, a former iron-smelting operation located on the Gardne Peninsula at Snail Shell Harbor. Many immigrants from Canada, the British Isles and northern Europe lived in this town that thrived for nearly a quarter of a century. Contact the park office for guided tour details and tour maps. The park also features a 61-site campground and three miles of shoreline on Big Bay De Noc. Facilities include pit toilets, electric hookups and water for each site. Most campsites are well shaded. There's no problem with insects, making your camping experience more enjoyable. Camping facilities are open from April 15 to November 15. In addition, boat camping is allowed in Snail Shell Harbor, and space is on a first-come, first-served basis. A boat launch, located between the campground and picnic area, allow pleasure boats access to Big Bay de Noc. Parking is provided for vehicles with trailers. The protected waters of Snail Shell Harbor are deep enough for larger pleasure craft. Big Bay de Noc provides some of the finest perch, small mouth bass, northern pike and walleye fishing in the Great Lakes. Fishing is permitted in the harbor area. The beach on Sand Bay is just a short distance from the campground. The picnic area is adjacent to the beach and offers grills and pit toilets. Playground equipment and horseshoe courts are available. Five miles of hiking trails are open year-round winding through a mixed beech-maple hardwood forest and throughout the historic townsite. Trails are open in winter for cross-country skiing. Scuba divers are invited to Snail Shell Harbor during certain times of the day. A fee and use permit are required. In order that all divers might enjoy this activity, all submerged artifacts are to remain in place and nothing is to be removed from the harbor bottom. Call park office for details.
Recreation - Visitors to Fayette State Historic Park enjoy viewing historical sites, walking tours, swimming, camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, and scuba diving. Climate - The Upper Peninsula normally experiences mild summers with average temperatures near 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). Winter temperatures average 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C). Rain and snowmelt in the region can reach up to 200 inches annually. Travelers should be aware that significant amounts of snow could fall within a relatively short period of time resulting in hazardous road conditions. Location -
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, travel US-2 to Garden Corners and go south on M-183 17 miles to reach Fayette State Historic Park.
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