Wells State Park is located on Green Bay about 30 miles south of Escanaba. Its 678 acres include a three-mile shoreline with beautiful sandy beach for swimming, a large picnic area, a modern campground and rustic cabins. The park, established in 1925, was donated to the State of Michigan by the children of John Walter Wells, a pioneer lumberman in the area. In addition to owning several lumber companies and sawmills, he served a mayor of Menominee for three terms beginning in 1893. Many of the park's buildings, landscaping and water and sewage systems were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and 1940s. The park is open year round, even when the campground is closed, providing opportunities for winter recreation such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
Activities:
Cross Country Ski: In winter the seven miles of hiking trails with three rustic trailside shelters are open for cross country skiing. Trails are not groomed.
Fishing: The best brown trout fishing in Michigan can be found nearby in early April.
Hiking: Six miles of hiking trails also offer three rustic trailside shelters for places to rest on the hike.
Hunting: Hunting is available in the surrounding Escanaba River State Forest land adjacent to the park.
Paddling
Swimming
Winter Camping
Facilities:
Beach
Beach House
Boat Launch
Picnic Area: A large picnic area is within walking distance to the campground and includes two picnic shelters, horseshoe courts, picnic tables, charcoal grills and a large playground. Two volleyball courts and a sandy beach complete the day-use areas of the park.
Playground
Campgrounds
J. W. Wells-Modern
J. W. Wells-Rustic Cabins
J.W. Wells-Bay Stone Lodge
Trails
Wells-Cedar River Trail
Facilities:
Beach
Beach House
Boat Launch
Picnic Area: A large picnic area is within walking distance to the campground and includes two picnic shelters, horseshoe courts, picnic tables, charcoal grills and a large playground. Two volleyball courts and a sandy beach complete the day-use areas of the park.
Playground