Van Buren State Park (Michigan)

{{short description|Park in Michigan, USA}}

{{For|the Ohio State Park|Van Buren State Park (Ohio)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox park

| name = Van Buren State Park

| photo = Lake_Michigan_shore%2C_winter.JPG

| photo_caption = Park at sunset in winter

| photo_width = 280

| photo_alt = Winter sunset

| map = USA Michigan#USA

| map_caption = Location in Michigan

| map_width = 280

| relief = 1

| location = Van Buren County, Michigan, United States

| nearest_city = South Haven, Michigan

| coordinates = {{coord|42|20|52|N|86|18|03|W|region:US-MI|display=inline, title}}

| coords_ref =

| elevation = {{convert|646|ft}}

| area = {{convert|400|acre}}

| designation = Michigan state park

| established = 1966

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| administrator = Michigan Department of Natural Resources

| website = {{Official website}}

}}

Van Buren State Park is a {{convert|400|acre|adj=on}} public recreation area on Lake Michigan {{convert|4|mi|spell=in}} south of South Haven, Michigan, United States. The state park, which is maintained and operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is located in the southwest corner of South Haven Township and the northwest corner of Covert Township, just north of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. The Van Buren County–owned North Point Conservation Area is located directly north of the park. The park has forested sand dunes, camping, and a swimming beach.

History

The park was established in 1966 following the state's purchase of {{convert|167|acre}} from the Harry LaBar Drake family in 1965. Two subsequent land purchases further expanded the park's boundaries.

Activities and amenities

The park offers swimming, picnicking, playground, 220-site campground, and access to Van Buren Trail State Park.

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web |url=https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=502&type=SPRK |title=Van Buren State Park |publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources |access-date=December 11, 2024}}

{{cite web |url=https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=502&type=SPRK |title=Van Buren State Park |publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources |access-date=December 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904220956/https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=502&type=SPRK |archive-date=September 4, 2012}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/DatesEstablished_650313_7.pdf |title=When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established? |publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources |access-date=May 7, 2020}}

}}