Aloha State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located in Cheboygan County near the town of Cheboygan, Aloha State Park is a beautiful 107-acre park that borders the northeastern side of Mullett Lake in the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The land needed to create the park was donated to the state of Michigan in 1923. Historically, the lake served as part of an important Native American trade route of connected lakes and rivers known as the Inland Waterway.
Today, visitors to this public recreation area enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming in the lake, and there are also several hiking trails to explore. Nearby points of interest you may want to visit when you are in the area include Mackinac Island, Fort Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City, and Old Mill Creek Historical Park. Cheboygan State Park is also nearby and worth a visit.
Nearest Major Cities:
Cheboygan, MI
Mackinaw City, MI
Traverse City, MI
Cadillac, MI
Spring 39-68 F
Summer 45-78 F
Fall 51-73 F
Winter 10-32 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Aloha State Park
Campground Accommodations
Aloha State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Dump station, potable water, camp store restrooms, showers, firewood concession
Aloha State Park Campground
The Aloha State Park Campground has 287 campsites available through booking. Most sites connect to 20 amp and 3 amp hookups, but some offer 50 amp hookups. Most of the campsites are located close to Mullett Lake, but these spots are in high demand, and you have to book early. Sites accommodate RVs and trailers up to 45 feet.
At the campsite, you will have access to water spigots, a store, a bathroom with a hot water shower, picnic shelters, central water, a boat launch pad, and a dumping station. Every site has a picnic table and a fire pit. You can bring along your pets as long as you pick after them and keep them on a leash. If you bring children along, they can have fun at the swings, volleyball pitch, baseball field, or basketball court. A camper can only stay for up to 15 days in one booking. Nightly rates start at $30.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Modern toilets and shower
Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping
Located 39 minutes away from Aloha State Park, Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping has more than 600 campsites with 200 full hookup sites. Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping occupies 200 acres along the shores of Lake Huron. While in the campground, campers can explore nature on set trails along Lake Huron's shores where they can view the Straits of Mackinac. From most campsites, campers can see Mackinac Island, Mackinac Bridge, Round Island, Bois Blanc Island, and St. Ignace.
Partial hookup sites offer water and sanitation stations to make your stay comfortable. Other amenities you can enjoy at the park include a camp store, a game room, three playgrounds, and a basketball court, a heated pool, two shower buildings, and flush toilets. You can also get Wi-Fi from any of the campsites you choose. Nightly rates start at $44.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Flush toilets, heated pool, store
What to Do at
Aloha State Park
In addition to a day-use area, picnic shelters, and a playground, there's also lots of fun to be had on Mullett Lake. History buffs may find interest in the former railroad depot at the park, which once served the Detroit and Mackinac Railway. The remnants of an old wooden dock can still be seen as well.
Inside Aloha State Park
Aloha State Park is near Mullett Lake, which is a paradise for fishermen, boaters, and anyone who enjoys swimming and other water activities. Away from the water, the park has scenic areas for those who love hiking, birding, and biking. Back at the campsite, there are playgrounds a few yards away from where one can engage in different games. When winter kicks in, the snow covers the area, making it a great time for mountain biking, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
Fishing
Many locals and visitors alike come to Aloha State Park to go fishing year-round no matter the weather. The lake is filled with several species you can catch including lake trout, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, pike, and sturgeon. A fish cleaning station is available near the boat launch in the Boat Basin section of the park, and bait can be purchased at the Aloha Camp Store, which is open seasonally.
Geocaching
There is one geocache to be found at Aloha State Park. Once you find it, you'll need to make a note of the special codeword on the logbook and on a label inside the container. Note that the park requests you limit geocaching activities to daytime only, between 8 am to 10 pm.
Nature Watching
The park has several notable natural features, along with its scenic lake. You can view the hardwood conifer forests, mesic northern forest areas, and the conifer swamps while enjoying one of the trails that winds through the park. Eastern cottonwood trees are also abundant in the area.
Stargazing
Although the park is not designated as one of Michigan's dark sky preserves, it is located relatively far from city lights, and, with ample wide-open spaces, there's plenty of room to enjoy gazing at the night sky.
Flora and Fauna
Aloha State Park has a diverse ecosystem and is home to numerous species of birds and other wildlife. During your visit, you're likely to come across white-tailed deer and foxes, Bird-watchers should keep an eye out for blue jays, sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, and ring-billed gulls. On the water, you're likely to see lots of Canada geese.
Hiking
There are several trails within the park that wind around the lake for more than 4.5 miles and offer excellent scenic views. In addition, the North Eastern State Trail borders the park. This trail spans from the town of Alpena to Mackinaw City for a stretch of 70 miles.
Boating
Mullett Lake is known for its calm and clear waters, making it popular with boating enthusiasts. There's a boat launch within the park. Canoeing and kayaking are also allowed on Mullett Lake.
Swimming
Swimming in Mullett Lake is a popular activity at Aloha State Park, partly because of the slow slope of the lake, which makes the water very shallow and perfect for wading in. Head to the day-use swimming beach near the southern end of the park for the calmest and clearest waters. If you are staying in the campground, there is also a designated swimming area there.
Biking
The North Eastern State Trail skims along the edge of the park and offers a total of 70 miles of trails to explore. Bicycles are available to rent within the park.
How to Get to
Aloha State Park
Starting from the town of Cheboygan in Michigan, take M-27 S to M-33 S in Inverness Township. From there, you'll turn left onto M-33 S. After about 5.5 miles, take a right onto M-212 W and then a left onto 2nd Street. From there, you'll continue straight onto Park Road, and you'll see the park entrance on your right.
Entering Aloha State Park
You'll need to have a parking pass when visiting, which can be purchased in advance or on-site. Many Michigan state residents have a Recreation Passport that allows for access and free parking at any Michigan state park.
While there's no shortage of water-based recreation to be had at Aloha State Park, you can also enjoy some time shooting hoops on the basketball court or a friendly game of volleyball or horseshoes. There's even a baseball diamond. Even if you're not staying overnight in one of the park's nearly 300 campsites, make sure to stay late enough in the day to catch a sunset as it sets directly over the lake and makes for a stunning view. After working up an appetite, head to the camp store near the entrance, which is open seasonally from April to October and is well-known for its excellent homemade donuts and hand-dipped ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aloha State Park
The higher temperatures in the summer make swimming more pleasant at Aloha State Park, but the park is a popular spot to visit year-round. Ice fishing can be enjoyed during the winter.
The park is home to a wide variety of different species. Frogs and salamanders can be spotted near the water, and squirrels and deer are a common sight. Less commonly spotted animals to keep an eye out for include bats, raccoons, and foxes.
All of the park's sites offer full hookups.
Reservations can be made online in advance of your visit. Nightly fees range from an average of $18 to $30 per night. Note that you cannot stay for more than 15 consecutive nights.
Yes, but certain guidelines do apply. You must keep your pets on a leash with a length of no longer than 6 feet at all times, and they must never be left unattended. The park also asks that you always clean up after your pets. Note that pets are not allowed on any swimming beach at Aloha State Park.