North Higgins Lake State Park

North Higgins Lake State Park is a public recreation area located nine miles (14 km) west of Roscommon in Beaver Creek Township, Crawford County, Michigan. The state park occupies 449 acres (182 ha) on the north shore of Higgins Lake at the site of what was once one of the world's largest seedling nurseries.[4]

North Higgins Lake State Park
Beachfront along Higgins Lake
Map showing the location of North Higgins Lake State Park
Map showing the location of North Higgins Lake State Park
Location in Michigan
Map showing the location of North Higgins Lake State Park
Map showing the location of North Higgins Lake State Park
North Higgins Lake State Park (the United States)
LocationLower Peninsula, Crawford County, Michigan. United States
Nearest cityRoscommon, Michigan
Coordinates44°30′50″N 84°45′28″W[2]
Area429 acres (174 ha)
Elevation1,165 feet (355 m) [2]
DesignationMichigan state park
Established1965[3]
AdministratorMichigan Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteNorth Higgins Lake State Park
Civilian Conservation Corps Museum

Features

Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum

The Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum documents the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Michigan from 1933 to 1942 when more than 100,000 young Michigan men performed a variety of conservation and reforestation efforts.[5] Exhibits tell the story of how the Michigan CCC planted 484 million trees, spent 140,000 days fighting forest fires and constructed 7,000 miles of truck trails, 504 bridges and 222 buildings. The Michigan state park system carries many examples of their work still in use today, including the MacMullan Conference Center.

Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center
Ralph A. MacMullen Conference Center
Harry Whiteley Conference Center

The Ralph A. MacMullen Conference Center Scenic Site (RAM Center) is a lodge and free-standing facility in the park.[6] Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it currently serves as a retreat center for nonprofit and public sector groups. It is located on the northern shores of Higgins Lake, northeast of the village of Roscommon between U.S. Route 127 and Interstate 75.

The MacMullen Center was built in a rustic style with a fieldstone exterior. It has a capacity of 135.

Activities and amenities

Park activities include camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and boating. There are eleven miles of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing through state forest land adjacent to the park.[4]

References
  1. "North Higgins Lake State Park". IUCN. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  2. "North Higgins Lake State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. "When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  4. "North Higgins Lake State Park". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  5. "Higgins Lake Nursery and CCC Museum". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  6. "Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
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