79°
Mostly Sunny
8%
84
Emmet County, MI · Great Lakes
Wilderness State Park
903 Wilderness Park Dr, Carp Lake, MI 49718
26 miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline at the very tip of the Lower Peninsula, 11 miles west of Mackinaw City. Designated a Dark Sky Preserve. Two campgrounds, rustic cabins, and 20+ miles of trails.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
79°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Partly cloudy. Low around 67, with temperatures rising to around 71 overnight. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 79°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
83 /100
great
81 Sunbathe
86 Walk
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
Wind
10 mph
SW
Rain
8%
Today
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–04 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
80°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Water Quality
Clean
2 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:01 AM
Sunset
9:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
80°
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
17%
76
81°
Sunny
0%
82
80°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
78°
Mostly Sunny
6%
84
77°
Chance Rain Showers
27%
68
79°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
39%
41
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Day-use lots; MI Recreation Passport required.
Dogs
Designated pet beach within the park; dogs must be on 6-ft leash. Not permitted on the main buoyed swim beach.
Entry Fee
MI Recreation Passport: $17 resident / $34 non-resident annual.
Address
903 Wilderness Park Dr, Carp Lake, MI 49718
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Wilderness State Park today?
Wilderness State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Wilderness State Park dog-friendly?
Designated pet beach within the park; dogs must be on 6-ft leash. Not permitted on the main buoyed swim beach.
Is there an entry fee at Wilderness State Park?
MI Recreation Passport: $17 resident / $34 non-resident annual.
Are there lifeguards at Wilderness State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Wilderness State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Wilderness State Park?
Amenities at Wilderness State Park include restrooms, showers, campgrounds, rustic cabins, boat launch, hiking trails, dark sky preserve.
When is the water warmest at Wilderness State Park?
Great Lakes water temperatures peak in late July and August at roughly 68-74°F near shore — cool compared to the ocean. Best swimming window is mid-July to late August.
Where is Wilderness State Park located?
Wilderness State Park is in Emmet County, MI, at 903 Wilderness Park Dr, Carp Lake, MI 49718.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS