Bay City State Recreation Area
Bay City Recreation Area is the pawfect place to spend some quality time with your pup. Also known as Bay City State Park, this beautiful spot is nestled on Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Pack up your pooch and get ready to explore the sandy beaches, wooded areas, meadows, marshlands, and prairies.
Tobico Marsh, one of the largest freshwater coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, is located in the park. Follow the Bay-City Tobico Marsh Trail so your doggo can get an up close look at this natural wonder. It clocks in at three miles, a great length for an afternoon walk. The park also has a few other trails that wander through the wetlands and along the shore. A couple observation towers, boardwalks, and viewing platforms let your pal see the furrific natural wonders of the park’s ecosystem.  Be mindful that the trails are also open to cyclists and rollerbladers, so help your dog yield as appropriate.
Other pawsome recreational opportunities available at Bay City Recreation Area are bird and wildlife watching, biking, swimming, and fishing. The park’s campground has both tent and RV sites and the picnic facilities are top notch. Enjoy a leisurely lunch with your furry friend under the canopy of ash and cottonwood trees where the views of Tobico Lagoon simply can’t be beat!
A Recreation Passport is required when visiting Michigan state parks. This can be purchased for $11.00 when renewing your license plate or for $16.00 any other time of the year. Out of towners can purchase a day pass for $9.00. Restrooms and drinking water are located throughout. Be sure to give your pup plenty to drink so they stay hydrated. Don’t forget to bring your own clean up bags and always pick up after your four legged hiking buddy. No bones about it, your pooch will go mutts over this park!
