J.W. Wells State Park

J.W. Wells State Park stretches along three miles of Green Bay shoreline on Lake Michigan near Cedar River in Menominee County, on the southern edge of the Upper Peninsula. The park protects a beautiful tract of old-growth cedar, hemlock and hardwood forest behind a long, scenic stretch of Lake Michigan beach and rocky shore on the quieter Green Bay side of the lake.

Less developed and less crowded than the busy Lower Peninsula beaches, J.W. Wells offers a campground and rustic cabins near the water, miles of trails through the towering old-growth forest, a swimming beach, and the peaceful beauty of the Green Bay shore. The combination of ancient forest and Lake Michigan shoreline, set in the quiet southern U.P., makes the park a hidden gem for campers, hikers and those seeking a natural, uncrowded Great Lakes experience.

J.W. Wells offers swimming and beachcombing along three miles of Green Bay (Lake Michigan) shoreline, a campground and rustic cabins near the water, and miles of trails through old-growth cedar, hemlock and hardwood forest. The quieter Green Bay side, the ancient forest and the long shoreline make it a peaceful destination for camping, hiking, swimming and nature study, away from the crowds of the busier Lower Peninsula beaches, in the scenic southern Upper Peninsula.

Summer brings warm Green Bay water for swimming and full use of the campground, cabins and beach — reserve early, though it’s quieter than Lower Peninsula parks. Late spring and fall offer cool hiking through the old-growth forest, fall color, and peaceful shores. Winter brings snow and quiet. Summer is best for the beach and camping, with the shoulder seasons rewarding hikers in the ancient forest along the Green Bay shore.

The park is named for John Walter Wells, a Menominee lumberman and politician, and the land — including its rare surviving old-growth forest — became a state park preserving both the ancient trees and public access to the Green Bay shoreline. The old-growth cedar and hemlock, spared the logging that cleared most of the region, make the park a living link to the forests that once covered the U.P., and the Civilian Conservation Corps helped shape its early facilities.

The park sits on the Green Bay shore of Lake Michigan, where the glacially shaped, sandy and rocky shoreline meets the old-growth forest. The limestone-influenced bedrock of the region, shaped by the Ice Age glaciers and the lake’s waves, underlies the shore. The quieter Green Bay side, sheltered compared to the open Lake Michigan, gives the park its long, scenic beach and rocky shoreline on the southern edge of the Upper Peninsula.

The old-growth forest, wetlands and Green Bay shore host white-tailed deer, black bear, porcupine and a rich community of woodland and shore birds, with the Lake Michigan shoreline a migration corridor for songbirds and raptors. The ancient cedar and hemlock forest, with its standing dead snags and fallen logs, provides nesting and feeding habitat that young forests lack, making the park excellent for birding and wildlife watching.

J.W. Wells protects a rare and precious stand of old-growth cedar, hemlock and hardwood forest behind the Green Bay shoreline — ancient trees, layered canopy, standing snags and decaying logs that form a rich ecosystem young commercial forests cannot match. The shoreline, wetlands and forest support diverse wildlife. The old growth, spared the region’s logging, is ecologically priceless, and the park preserves it alongside the Lake Michigan shore.

J.W. Wells State Park, with its rare old-growth forest and quiet Green Bay shoreline, is a hidden gem of the southern Upper Peninsula, beloved by campers, hikers and nature lovers seeking a peaceful, natural Great Lakes experience. Its ancient cedar and hemlock forest offers a glimpse of the U.P. as it once was, and the park anchors the quiet recreation of the Cedar River and Menominee County shore.

J.W. Wells State Park is on M-35 along the Green Bay shore near Cedar River in Menominee County, on the southern edge of the Upper Peninsula. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required. The campground, rustic cabins, beach, trailheads and day-use areas are within the park, with the old-growth forest trails behind the shore. The town of Menominee and the Wisconsin border lie to the south; the park is an easy drive along the Green Bay shore.

The DNR manages J.W. Wells to protect its rare old-growth forest, the Green Bay shoreline and the surrounding habitat while supporting recreation. Protecting old growth means largely letting it be — leaving fallen trees and snags in place. Visitors help by staying on trails to protect the ancient forest and shoreline, keeping the beach clean, respecting the rare habitat, and packing out litter. Preserving the old growth keeps a living piece of the original U.P. forest intact.

Green Bay is gentler than the open Lake Michigan, but the water is cold and conditions can change — supervise swimmers and heed any warnings. Watch footing on the rocky shore and forest trails, which can be wet and rooty. Stay on trails in the old-growth forest, where falling limbs from ancient trees are a hazard in wind. Bring insect protection for the forest, layers for the cool shore, and take normal care exploring the park.

A Recreation Passport is required. Stay on trails to protect the old-growth forest and the shoreline; do not remove wood, plants or artifacts — fallen trees stay where they lie. Pets must be leashed and restricted from the swim beach. Camp only in reserved sites or rustic cabins. Glass is prohibited on the beach. Check the DNR for current conditions and rules before visiting.

The town of Cedar River, the city of Menominee and the Wisconsin border lie to the south, with the Green Bay shore, the Menominee River, and the forests and rivers of the southern U.P. all within reach. The Hiawatha National Forest, Escanaba and the broader Lake Michigan and Green Bay shores surround the area, making the park a quiet base for exploring the southern Upper Peninsula and the Green Bay coast.

Camp or stay in a rustic cabin near the Green Bay shore, and hike the trails through the rare old-growth cedar and hemlock forest — a highlight of the park. Enjoy the quieter, warmer Green Bay water for swimming, and reserve early though it’s less crowded than Lower Peninsula parks. Bring insect protection, stay on the forest trails, and pair a visit with the Green Bay shore and the southern U.P.