J. W. Wells State Park.

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A secluded shore.

This popular park is found on the shore of Lake Michigan about halfway between Escanaba and Green Bay. There are miles of beach to explore, and plenty of trails to hike, too. A modern campground (usually full), and primitive huts that you can rent provide accomodations for those who wish to linger in the area. There's also a sandy beach and large picnic area. This park is known for the variety and numbers of songbirds that inhabit its varying ecosystems.

We hiked from the day use parking lot along the lake to the mouth of the Big Cedar River. Once you make your way through the campground you'll find a fairly level trail that parallels the shore. Side trips to beachcomb can be made at several locations, but marshy areas along the shore may cause you to backtrack a bit to get back to the trail. After a short distance you will come upon the primative cabins. From there North the shore is undeveloped, and you can take the trail all the way to the edge of the town of Cedar River, which has a boat landing, a dinner club, a diner, and little else, except one of the few remaining commercial fisheries on the lake.

The Mouth of the Big Cedar.

On your way back, you can return on the same trail or branch off onto the Evergreen or Ridgewood trails (you'll get a map when you pay your $4.00 fee at the ranger station). Altogether there are 7 miles of trails in the park.

Cool cedar forrest..

There are several trailside shelters for cross country skiing. In winter, the ice-bound shore must be fascinating to explore, and the seven miles of trails, while not particularly challenging, will provide an interesting mix of terrain and vegetation.