Lake Hudson State Recreation Area

Last updated
Lake Hudson State Recreation Area
Lake Hudson State Recreation Area (Bear Creek Dam).jpg
View of Lake Hudson from the dam
Relief map of USA Michigan.png
Red pog.svg
Location within the state of Michigan
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Lake Hudson State Recreation Area (the United States)
Location Hudson and Medina townships
Lenawee County, Michigan
Nearest city Hudson, Michigan
Coordinates 41°50′10″N84°14′30″W / 41.83611°N 84.24167°W / 41.83611; -84.24167
Area2,796 acres (11.32 sq km)
Established1979 [1]
Governing body Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Website Official website

Lake Hudson State Recreation Area is a public recreation area located within southwestern Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. [2] [3] With its main entrance located along M-156, it is mostly located within Hudson Township and a very small portion extending south into neighboring Medina Township.

Contents

The park was established in 1979, and it encompasses 2,796 acres (4.37 sq mi; 11.32 km2) surrounding the Lake Hudson reservoir. Lake Hudson is recognized as the first dark-sky preserve in the United States, when it was designated as such in 1993. It is governed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and is operated and maintained by the nearby Hayes State Park in the northern portion of the county. [4]

Lake Hudson

The main geographic feature of the recreation area is Lake Hudson (sometimes referred to as Hudson Lake). [5] The lake has a surface area of 502 acres (2.03 km2) and a maximum depth of 24 feet (7.3 m). [6] The lake was originally three separate smaller lakes called Bear Lake, Covell Lake, and Haley Lake. [7] [8] [9] All three lakes were individual water bodies and connected by Bear Creek until the creation of a small earthen dam at the southern end of Bear Lake eventually flooded the area and connected the three lakes, which are combined today as Lake Hudson. [10] [11]

Lake Hudson contains a single public access boat ramp. [12] Despite the lake's larger size, the entire lake is designated as a "no-wake" lake. While motorized vessels are permitted, it is unlawful to move at speeds creating a wake. [12] The lake is a well known fishing destination, as it is frequently stocked by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources with walleye and muskellunge. [13] The largest muskellunge caught in Lake Hudson is recorded in the state's Master Angler Entries at 47 inches (119 cm) long. Several similarly sized muskellunges are also listed. [14] In addition to walleye and muskellunge, other fish species in the lake include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. [12]

Activities

Lake Hudson Recreation Area campground Lake Hudson Recreation Area campground.jpg
Lake Hudson Recreation Area campground

The Lake Hudson State Recreation Area includes a semi-modern campground consisting of 50 campsites. The campground features electrical hookups but no sewer connections or shower facilities, and a hand pump is the only source of potable water. There are vault toilets in the campground, boating access site, and the day-use beach area.

The forest area surrounding Lake Hudson is commonly used for seasonal game hunting, including waterfowl, turkey, and deer hunting. The forest contains numerous trails, but motorized vehicles are not permitted off the main roads. In addition to camping, fishing, and hunting, other activities within the recreation area include picnicking, metal detecting, swimming, bird watching, hiking, photography, and geocaching. [4]

In 1993, Lake Hudson was designated as the first dark-sky preserve in the United States. [4] It is currently one of seven such preserves in the state of Michigan, along with Negwegon State Park, Port Crescent State Park, Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park, Wilderness State Park, and the internationally recognized Headlands Dark Sky Park. [15] As required by the designation, the park must utilize measures to reduce light pollution, such as dimming headlights and outdoor lighting.

Sizable communities near Lake Hudson include the village of Clayton about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north, the city of Hudson eight miles (12.9 km) northwest, and the city of Morenci nine miles (14.5 km) south. Nearby state parks within 30 miles (48 km) include Hayes State Park, Cambridge Junction Historic State Park, and Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, as well as Harrison Lake State Park south in Ohio.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zippel Bay State Park</span> State park in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota

Zippel Bay State Park is a state park in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota in the United States. It is on the white sand beach shoreline of the Lake of the Woods, near the United States border with Canada. The park is open for year-round recreation including camping, hiking, fishing and cross-country skiing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holland State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Holland State Park is a public recreation area covering 142 acres (57 ha) in Park Township, Ottawa County, four miles (6 km) west of the city of Holland, Michigan. The state park consists of separate Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan units on the northern side of the channel connecting Lake Macatawa with Lake Michigan. It is often the most visited state park in Michigan, receiving between 1.5 and 2 million visitors annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilderness State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Wilderness State Park is a public recreation area bordering Lake Michigan, five miles southwest of Mackinaw City in Emmet County in Northern Michigan. The state park's 10,512 acres (4,254 ha) include 26 miles (42 km) of shoreline, diverse forested dune and swale complexes, wetlands, camping areas, and many miles of hiking trails. The state park is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which has, as of 2006, approved a proposal that 4,492 acres (1,818 ha) be officially dedicated as a wilderness area. Wilderness State Park was designated a Michigan "dark sky preserve" in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheboygan State Park</span> State park in Cheboygan County, Michigan, United States

Cheboygan State Park is a public recreation area covering 1,250 acres (510 ha) on the shores of Lake Huron in Cheboygan County, Michigan, United States. The state park offers views of the Fourteen Foot Shoal Light and the remains of the 1859 Cheboygan Point Light plus a distant view of the Poe Reef Light, some six miles to the northeast.

Craig Lake State Park is a remote public recreation area covering 8,459 acres (3,423 ha) in Baraga County in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan. The state park has several lakes that are accessible only by foot or paddling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayes State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Walter J. Hayes State Park is a public recreation area covering 654 acres (265 ha) on the southeast corner of Wamplers Lake in the Irish Hills region of the state of Michigan. Most of the state park lies within Lenawee County with a small portion extending into Jackson and Washtenaw counties in the Round Lake area. The park offers access to 796-acre (322 ha) Wamplers Lake and completely surrounds 100-acre (40 ha) Round Lake, which connects to Wamplers Lake via a channel navigable by smaller boats. Other scenic lakes including Evans Lake and Sand Lake as well as chains of smaller lakes lie nearby. The park is traversed by Michigan Route 124 north of its intersection with US Highway 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ludington State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Ludington State Park is a public recreation area located two miles north of Ludington, Michigan, occupying 5,300 acres (2,100 ha) between the shores of Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. The state park is crossed by a one-mile stretch of the Big Sable River and is home to the 112-foot-high (34 m) Big Sable Point Lighthouse, which dates from 1876.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitchell State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

William Mitchell State Park is a public recreation area covering 334 acres (135 ha) within the city limits of Cadillac in northern lower Michigan. The state park is located between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. The historic Clam Lake Canal, approximately one-third of a mile in length, connects the two lakes and runs directly through the park. Dug in 1873 at the direction of city father George A. Mitchell, the canal allowed felled trees to be floated from Lake Mitchell to lumber mills on Lake Cadillac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muskallonge Lake State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Muskallonge Lake State Park is a state park located in Luce County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Deer Park about 16 miles (25.7 km) east of Grand Marais along H-58.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petoskey State Park</span> Park in Michigan, US

Petoskey State Park is a public recreation area covering 303 acres (123 ha) on Lake Michigan in Bear Creek Township, Emmet County, Michigan. The state park is located three miles (4.8 km) northeast of the city of Petoskey on Little Traverse Bay. It is surrounded by heavily vegetated sand dunes that are excellent examples of parabolic dunes. Michigan's state stone, the Petoskey stone, can be found on the park beach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Crescent State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Port Crescent State Park is a public recreation area on Lake Huron five miles (8.0 km) southwest of Port Austin in Huron County at the tip of The Thumb of Michigan. The state park covers 640 acres (260 ha) along state route M-25 in Hume Township. The park occupies the site of Port Crescent, a ghost town which once stood at the mouth of the Pinnebog River. The park was designated a Michigan "dark sky preserve" in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleepy Hollow State Park</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Sleepy Hollow State Park is a public recreation area covering 2,678 acres (1,084 ha) in the townships of Ovid and Victor in Clinton County, Michigan. The state park is located off US-127 nine miles southeast of St. Johns and four miles northwest of Laingsburg and centers on man-made, 410-acre (170 ha) Lake Ovid.

Thompson's Harbor State Park is a remote and largely undeveloped public recreation area on Lake Huron covering 5,109 acres (2,068 ha) in Presque Isle County, Michigan. The state park's seven point five miles (12.1 km) of pristine shoreline encompass a varying terrain of second growth forest, limestone cobble beaches, and deep sand dunes. The park's flora and fauna include a large population of dwarf lake iris as well as more than one hundred bird species, coyotes, deer, and possibly black bear. The park offers six miles (9.7 km) of trails for hikers and cross-country skiers, rustic cabins, and opportunities for sea kayaking. The park was designated a Michigan "dark sky preserve" in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilson State Park (Michigan)</span> State Park in Clare County, Michigan

Wilson State Park is a state park located within the city limits of Harrison in the U.S. state of Michigan. The park occupies 36 acres (15 ha) along the shores of Budd Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hills Creek State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

Hills Creek State Park is a 407-acre (165 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Charleston Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Hills Creek Lake, a 137-acre (55 ha) man-made lake, is the focal point of the park. It is open for year-round recreation. Hills Creek State Park is in the Allegheny Plateau region of Pennsylvania, just north of U.S. Route 6 near the boroughs of Wellsboro and Mansfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seven Lakes State Park</span> Park in Michigan, United States

Seven Lakes State Park is a public recreation area covering 1,434 acres (580 ha) one mile northwest of Holly in Holly Township, Oakland County, Michigan. The state park's 230 acres (93 ha) of water are found in six named lakes that include 170-acre Big Seven Lake, Little Seven Lake, and 44-acre Dickinson Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve</span> Park in Michigan, USA

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve is a combination public recreation area and nature preserve located five miles west of Manchester in Jackson and Washtenaw counties, Michigan. The area occupies a total of 1,122 acres (454 ha), with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources owning 717 acres (290 ha) in Norvell Township, Jackson County, and Washtenaw County owning 405 acres (164 ha) in Manchester Township. Dedicated in 2017, it is under the joint management of the Michigan DNR and the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. A five-mile former rail corridor runs through the park and into grasslands in the eastern portion of the preserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Lake (Washtenaw County, Michigan)</span> Fresh water lake in Michigan

Green Lake is a fresh water lake located in northwest Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The lake encompasses 90.5 acres (36.6 ha). It is located entirely within Lyndon Township about five miles (8.0 km) northwest of the city of Chelsea along M-52. The lake is located within Waterloo State Recreation Area along the northeastern edge of the park's boundaries near Pinckney State Recreation Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Macbride State Park</span>

Lake Macbride State Park is a 2,180-acre (880 ha) state park in Johnson County, Iowa, United States, located near the city of Solon. The park is composed of two units centered on the 900-acre (360 ha) Lake Macbride. Both the park and the lake are named for Iowa conservationist Thomas Huston Macbride.

References

  1. ↑ State of Michigan (2019). "When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?" (PDF). Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  2. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Hudson State Park
  3. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Hudson State Recreation Area
  4. 1 2 3 Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2019). "Lake Hudson Recreation Area" . Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  5. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Hudson
  6. ↑ Lake-Link, Inc. (2019). "Hudson Lake" . Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  7. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bear Lake
  8. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Covell Lake
  9. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Haley Lake
  10. ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bear Creek
  11. ↑ Historic Map Works (2019). "Hudson Township, Posey, Bear Lake, Covell Lake, Clayton (1928)" . Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  12. 1 2 3 Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2019). "Boating Access Site Detail: Lake Hudson" . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  13. ↑ Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2019). "Fish Stocking Database" . Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  14. ↑ Michigan Department of Natural Resources (2019). "Master Angler Entries (Lenawee County)" . Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  15. ↑ State of Michigan (2019). "Dark Sky Preserves" . Retrieved June 20, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.