Algonac State Park: Travel Guide
Welcome to Algonac State Park, a park along the St. Clair River in St. Clair County, Michigan. With its stunning natural beauty, passing freighters, and outdoor activities, this park is a haven for those looking to sit around and relax and adventure seekers alike.
This park located within an hour of where were I live, making it a favorite camping location for my family. Come along and explore the wonders of Algonac State Park and discover why it should be at the top of your travel list like mine!
Amenities at Algonac State Park, Michigan
The park has many amenities for campers and day visitors to enjoy!
Camping
Algonac State Park offers RV and traditional tent camping sites in three distinct areas. Below is a breakdown of the areas to help you decide which place would be the best for you!
Riverfront Campground: This part of the park is a half-mile stretch of the St. Clair River (note that a road passes between the campsites and the river). There are 220 sites available in this section.
Some of the sites feature gravel pads and upgraded 50AMP electric service.
Two restrooms (the southern bathroom is newer than the northerly location) and 12 water spigots are located through the Riverfront Camping area. There are two accessible sites and a camp host as well.
Note: Plans are underway to create some full-hookup sites and remove the northern bathroom.
Wagonwheel Campground: The Wagonswheel features 76 campsites, which include three accessible sites. This area is more wooded and has larger sites than what can be found in the Riverfront Campground area.
There is a camp host and a single restroom area. There are four water stations throughout this camp area. Each site has a paved pad.
Just a heads up, when we most recently stayed in the Wagonwheel area, an alarm at the restroom would go off every 3 hours or so. Pick a site a bit away from that area if you don't want to be disturbed.
Group: This area is available for groups of less than 50 people, family reunions, youth groups, etc. This part of the park is rustic, but picnic tables, a fire pit, and a vault toilet are available. To reserve this area, call 810-765-5605.
Basic Campsite Info: All campsites have either 20- or 30-amp electrical service. Modern bathrooms with showers are located in both camping areas. Campsites include a fire pit and picnic table. Sites are pet-friendly.
The campground office sells firewood. There is a dump station with potable water available.
Note: During peak weekends, the park hosts do a great job directing people near the dump station area, ensuring that drive aisles remain open.
Exploring Algonac State Park: Nature Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Algonac State Park is a paradise for those looking to escape from the daily grind and enjoy peaceful views and surroundings. Whether you're an avid camper or enjoy watching freighters float down the river, this park has something for everyone.
Venture onto the hiking trails and breathe in the fresh air as you discover some of the park's 20+ threatened, endangered, or special-concern species of plants, birds, and butterflies.
Algonac State Park's Trails
Lace up your hiking boots and explore the Blazing Star Trail and Oak Savanna Trail. The Blazing Star Trail is a nice quick walk, and the Oak Savanna Trail has been muddy every time I've visited the park.
The Blazing Star Trail is a half-mile-long loop trail with interpretive signs. The trailhead is across the road from the shooting range and is great for wildflower viewing. The surface of this easy trail is grass.
The Oak Savanna Trail is a 2-mile-long looped trail that meanders through an oak savanna. There is a wide array of plants and wildlife along the path. The trailhead is near the Riverfront Campground and has a relatively flat dirt surface.
Note: This trail is often muddy. Be prepared for mosquitoes.
In addition to the trails noted above, the 54-mile Bridge to Bay Trail bisects the park. The path is often used for hiking, running, and bicycling; this trail provides a convenient route to Algonac, about 2.4 miles away.
We like to ride our bikes into Algonac to enjoy ice cream at the Diary Queen! A nice waterfront park and a local historical museum near the Dairy Queen also exist.
Boat Launch
Algonac State Park offers a small boat launch for those who want to be on the water. Visitors can use the park boat launch for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.
Note: If you want to launch a boat into the St. Clair River, head to downtown Algonac. You can find the Algonac Municipal Boat Launch (fee applied). Parking is available across the street behind the Dairy Queen.
Water Access / Fishing Area
Shoreline fishing is popular along the St. Clair River shore. There is a half-mile of riverfront at Algonac State Park that includes a small beach area.
Day-Use Area
If camping isn't your thing, but you would like to enjoy the park's features, stop by the day-use area! Enjoy a leisurely picnic with great river views. Picnic tables and charcoal grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you're traveling with children, they'll be thrilled to explore the playgrounds and engage in some active play.
There is also a picnic shelter in the day-use area. Visitors can rent the open-sided picnic shelter 12 months in advance.
The picnic shelter area features picnic tables, a large grill, a water source, four 20 amp electric outlets, and vault toilets (modern restrooms are about 1000 feet away).
A volleyball court and horseshoe pits are included with the rental of the picnic shelter.
Shooting Range
Algonac State Park provides a dedicated shooting range facility for archery, hand trap, and rifle/handgun firing.
Whether a seasoned shooter or a beginner, you can enjoy the sport in a safe and controlled environment. Please remember to adhere to all safety guidelines and regulations when utilizing the gun range.
The Shooting Range is unstaffed.
Metal Detecting
Algonac State Park allows metal detecting in select park areas. Items visitors find must be shown to the park staff, and staff may keep the articles for additional investigation.
Hunting
Algonac State Park allows hunting between September 15 and March 31. Contact the park directly for special rules relating to hunting.
Annual Events at Algonac State Park, Michigan
Algonac State Park hosts a few annual events, including a Cornhole Tournament in June, a Horseshoe Tournament in July, and two weekends of Harvest Festival in October.
All events are open to campers of all ages. You must register for the tournaments when you check into your campsite.
The Harvest Festival includes trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, and campsite decorating. Campers need to provide their decorations for decorating the campsite.
Festival and Tournament weekends book quickly – book ASAP if you want to participate! Campsites can be reserved six months in advance.
Final Thoughts: Algonac State Park, Michigan
This destination has everything from trails to camping facilities and park events. Plan your visit to Algonac State Park and immerse yourself in its tranquil ambiance, adventure, and calming landscapes.
Algonac State Park is a remarkable destination showcasing the region's natural splendor and recreational diversity. Now, get out there and discover the wonders that await you in this Michigan treasure.
