Ionia Recreation Area

Copyright: Michigan State Parks & Forests Ionia Recreation Area features meadows, hardwoods and a beautiful deep lake.

Attractions - Attractions for the Ionia Recreation Area visitor are many. The park hosts a 100-site modern campground, a 49-site horse campground, and a large group campground. The group and equestrian campgrounds are primitive sites featuring vault toilets and hand pump wells. The family campground is a modern facility offering electric hookup, bathhouse, and sanitation station. The family campground is open April 1 to December 1; modern toilets from May 1 to October 15 only.

The park provides three picnic areas and 1,600-foot beach on Sessions Lake for sunbathing and swimming. Beechwood Picnic Area is located near Sessions Lake. Boat Launch Picnic Area has a ball field, volleyball court, hiking trails, and a covered shelter. This shelter is available on a first-come, first-served basis or may be reserved for $45 per day. A family-size grill is provided. Point Picnic Area is located on the east side of Sessions Lake offering an ADA fishing pier and hiking trails. The Riverside Picnic Area is situated between Riverside Drive and the Grand River. This picnic area has four miles of river frontage with a mountain bike trail, rustic boat launching facilities for canoes and rowboats, playground equipment, and a covered shelter. This shelter is available on a first-come, first-served basis or may be reserved for $45 per day.

Shore fishing and boat fishing are available on Sessions Lake and the Grand River. Stream fishing is available on Sessions Creek and Tibbits Creek. Sessions Lake is a 140-acre man-made lake. It is 60 feet at its deepest point and has bluegill, walleye, small and largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie. No-wake speed restriction applies. A boat launching facility is located on the west side of the lake.

Ionia State Park is open to hunting for all species between September 15 and March 31. State regulations apply. Hunters are welcome for early goose season on September 1.

Ionia Recreation Area offers miles of multi-use trails. Hikers are offered 3.5 miles of trail exploring woods, streams, lakeshore, meadows, and river bottom areas. Nine miles of designated mountain bike trails are available traveling through wetland, meadows, and a woodland path along the Grand River. Equestrians travel over 15 miles of designated path. Cross-country skiers are welcome to the entire park. There are three designated ski trail loops; a 1-mile beginner, a 2.5-mile intermediate and a 6-mile expert. The park is open to snowmobiling when there is four inches or more of snow. Snowmobiles are prohibited on cross-country ski trails and must have a current registration.

Recreation - Outdoor recreations including swimming, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, horse camping, hiking, boating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Camping
Ionia- Modern - (800) 447-2757, 100 site(s), $17/$16
Ionia Equestrian-Rustic - (800) 447-2757, 49 site(s), $17
Ionia- Group Use Area - (616) 527-3750, site(s), Contact the park

Trails
Ionia-Chief Cob-Moo-Sa Trail - 9 (Miles), Hiking, Mountain Biking
Ionia-Equestrian Trails - 15 (Miles), Bridle
Ionia-Hiking - 3.5 (Miles), Hiking, Cross Country Ski
Ionia-Cross-Country Ski Trails - 10.5 (Miles), Cross Country Ski

Climate - Mid Michigan has warm to hot summers with temperatures climbing above 70 degrees F (above 21 degrees C). Winter temperatures average between 14 and 22 degrees F (-10 to -6 degrees C). Moisture deposited in this region averages between 28 and 36 inches but can be dramatically altered by the "lake effect."

Location - The park rests three miles southwest of Ionia on the southern banks of the Grand River. To reach the entrance, take Interstate 96 to exit 64.