Bay City Recreation Area

Bay City State Recreation Area has one of the largest remaining freshwater, coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, the Tobico Marsh. More than a thousand feet of sandy beach and over 2,000 acres of wetland woods, wet meadows, cattail marshlands and oak savannah prairies make it an ideal staging area for migratory birds. 

Activities

Biking: The three-mile Andersen Natural Trail follows a railway corridor and connects to the Bay City Trailway System to the south of the park. Bicycles are welcomed on established park roads and on trails designated for such use.

Cross-Country Skiing

Fishing: The Tobico Lagoon provides pike, carp, bass and panfish. An accessibile fishing pier makes shore fishing available to all. Additional DNR-managed boating access sites are within a few miles of the park. Ice fishing is just off the park's shore in the winter months.

Hiking: More than seven miles of trails help visitors explore the wetlands! Includes over three miles of paved pathways, three observation towers, boardwalks, viewing platforms and shoreline spotting scopes. Bicycles and rollerblades are welcome.

Hunting: Deer, waterfowl and small game are allowed during open seasons.

Swimming

Watchable Wildlife: Three observation towers, boardwalks, viewing platforms and shoreline spotting scopes help make wildlife viewing more interactive.

Winter Camping

Campgrounds

Bay City-Group Use Area
Bay City-Modern
Bay City-Pop-up campers

Trails

Bay City-Andersen Nature Trail
Bay City-Tobico Lagoon Trail
Bay City-Tobico Marsh Trail

Facilities

Amphitheater

Beach: The accessible beach mat is in place seasonally while the mobile beach chair is available for use year-round.

Beach House

Fishing Pier

Picnic Area: Visitors can picnic on the sandy shoreline of the Bay or under the shelter of lofty cottonwoods and ash trees which border the Tobico Lagoon. Picnic tables and fire pits/grills.

Picnic Shelter: Five shelters are available for rent. Shelters can be reserved up to one year in advance by calling 1-800-447-2757

Playground: "Come Play by the Bay" is a community-built fully-enclosed playground that spawls over three acres. Swings, towers, bridges, slides and other creative play equipment will provide adventure and fun for the young and young at heart.