Lake Gogebic State Park
Marenisco, Michigan · on Lake Gogebic · Lake Gogebic State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $24/night
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Lake Gogebic State Park
Lake Gogebic State Park is a 360-acre Michigan state park on the west shore of Lake Gogebic, the largest inland lake in the Upper Peninsula and a vast lake to swim in, near Marenisco in Gogebic County. The park maintains a designated natural sandy swimming beach (unguarded), an easygoing swimming hole set beside a large modern campground, boat launch, and day-use picnic area, all within the Ottawa National Forest.
The park sits on the west shore of Lake Gogebic within the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, on M-64 roughly 9 miles north of US-2 and 8 miles south of M-28, near Marenisco. Lake Gogebic itself spans about 13,380 acres, the largest inland lake in the U.P., ringed by forested upland terrain, with the park contributing nearly a mile of its shoreline.
Swimming at Lake Gogebic State Park
The state park maintains a natural sandy swimming beach on Lake Gogebic's west shore with no lifeguard on duty. Regional tourism sources describe calm, family-friendly water suited to swimming, sunning, and shoreline walking, though the lake runs cold outside the summer months. It suits casual waders and families rather than long-distance swimmers; motorized water sports like skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing are also popular elsewhere on the lake.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the surrounding highway network, the park is located on M-64 on the west shore of Lake Gogebic, about 9 miles north of US-2 and 8 miles south of M-28, near Marenisco, Gogebic County (address cited as N9995 State Hwy M-64).
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up state park beach: the day-use parking/picnic area sits directly beside the sandy swim beach on Lake Gogebic's west shore, with no trail or hike required to reach the water. No hiking trail is tied to this beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Natural sandy beach with a gentle, calm shoreline suited to wading and casual family swimming, but there is no lifeguard on duty and the lake runs cold outside summer, so adult supervision is warranted (per Michigan.org, uptravel.com, lakegogebicarea.com).
Parking
Paid
The day-use/beach area sits alongside the park's picnic grounds, paved boat launch, and shelter building, indicating a developed parking area, but no source specifies a distinct lot name, stall count, or a beach-specific parking fee separate from the park's general vehicle entry fee (Recreation Passport or daily pass, per uptravel.com).
Restrooms
Yes
Modern, wheelchair-accessible restrooms with showers are available (campground area per uptravel.com); lakegogebicarea.com separately describes flush toilets and showers serving the day-use area, plus a vault toilet noted as convenient in the park overview.
Hours
Day-use area open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Central time (per uptravel.com); camping season runs May 1-October 31.
On the water
The park's paved boat launch is described as usable for 'almost any size boat' and explicitly for 'fishing boat, speedboat, pontoon, kayak, SUP or personal watercraft' (lakegogebicarea.com, uptravel.com). No lake-wide no-wake, electric-only, or horsepower restriction was found in any source; the 'no tubing or waterskiing' rule found is specific to one private rental outfitter's contract terms, not a general lake regulation, so it is not listed as a park-wide restriction.
Rentals nearby
16' Lund fishing boat (15hp motor); 24' pontoon (60hp), 20' pontoon (40hp), and 18' pontoon (50hp) - all rentals include life jackets, cushions, anchor, and oars
Prices: Fishing boat: $15/hr, $50/day, $300/week (plus gas). Pontoons: $30/hr, $190/day, $900/week (plus gas). Daily rentals must be returned 30 min before dark; no tubing or water-skiing permitted (violation forfeits reservation plus a $500 fine).
N10960 State Hwy M-64, Marenisco, MI 49947 - on Lake Gogebic's west shore, a few miles from the state park
Fishing boats (swivel seats, electric start or 4-stroke), 20' Tahoe and 20' Misty pontoons (50hp/4-stroke), plus canoe, kayak, water skis/tow rope, tube/tow rope, and portable depth finder rentals
Prices: Fishing boats: $90/day, $550/week. Pontoons: $250/day, $1,550/week. Canoe/kayak/skis/tube/depth finder: $45/day, $270/week each. Pontoons noted as no pets allowed.
N9426 Hwy. M-64, Marenisco, MI 49947 - on Lake Gogebic, near the state park
On-site kayak and canoe rental for park visitors
At the park office, on-site at the state park beach/day-use area
Backstory
The park was established in 1926 when Gogebic County purchased lakeside land and transferred it to the State of Michigan, with additional land contributed by E. J. Stickley and W. Bonafas; it officially opened in 1930. Two gravestones on the grounds (dated 1822 and 1824 per one source; described as discovered in 1962 per another) are believed linked to early fur-trade-era habitation in the area.
Lake Gogebic State Park: FAQ
Does Lake Gogebic State Park charge a fee?
A Michigan Recreation Passport (or a daily pass) is required for vehicle entry, per the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association. A first-hand trip report cites approximate figures of $24/night camping, an out-of-state day-use fee of about $9, an online reservation fee of $8-$10, and an annual non-resident Recreation Passport around $33; these figures may not reflect current rates.
Is Lake Gogebic State Park kid friendly?
Natural sandy beach with a gentle, calm shoreline suited to wading and casual family swimming, but there is no lifeguard on duty and the lake runs cold outside summer, so adult supervision is warranted (per Michigan.org, uptravel.com, lakegogebicarea.com).
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Gogebic State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Gogebic State Park?
The day-use/beach area sits alongside the park's picnic grounds, paved boat launch, and shelter building, indicating a developed parking area, but no source specifies a distinct lot name, stall count, or a beach-specific parking fee separate from the park's general vehicle entry fee (Recreation Passport or daily pass, per uptravel.com).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Gogebic State Park?
The park's paved boat launch is described as usable for 'almost any size boat' and explicitly for 'fishing boat, speedboat, pontoon, kayak, SUP or personal watercraft' (lakegogebicarea.com, uptravel.com). No lake-wide no-wake, electric-only, or horsepower restriction was found in any source; the 'no tubing or waterskiing' rule found is specific to one private rental outfitter's contract terms, not a general lake regulation, so it is not listed as a park-wide restriction.
When is the best time to visit Lake Gogebic State Park?
Summer (roughly June-August) for the warmest swimming water; the day-use area and beach are accessible whenever the park is open, but the campground season runs May 1 through October 31.
What are the rules at Lake Gogebic State Park?
Day-use area open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (Central time); camping season runs May 1 through October 31; no lifeguard is on duty at the swim beach; pets are permitted on leash; registered campers may use metal detectors only in designated areas, subject to staff review before removing finds.
What water body is Lake Gogebic State Park on?
Lake Gogebic State Park is on Lake Gogebic, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
