Wells State Park (J.W. Wells)

J.W. Wells State Park is located along 3 miles of Lake Michigan’s Green Bay, just 30 miles south of Escanaba in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and across the bay from Door County, Wisconsin. The 700-acre park is home to a modern campground, a designated swim beach, a picnic area, rustic cabins and a trail with three warming shelters. The park is known for its family-friendly amenities, such as the park's accessible playground and nature education programming.

Cedar River State Harbor is just a couple miles to the north. It offers a boating access site, an accessible walkway along the river that is popular for fishing and educational programs.

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. Many of the park's buildings, landscaping, and water and sewage systems were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and 1940s.

Great Lakes beach safety. 

Maps & Area Guide to park.

Before visiting a state park, boating site or trail, it’s always a good idea to check the latest closures due to weather-related events, planned improvement projects and repairs. Visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.