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Parks, Trails, Attractions, Historic Spots & More in Harbor Springs, Michigan





On the northern shore of Little Traverse Bay, Harbor Springs is a beautiful resort community with several parks, trails, and ski resorts for outdoor recreation.

Harbor Springs Parks

Zorn Park and Beach is a popular place on sunny summer days. The park's sandy swimming beach on Little Traverse Bay includes a square swimming raft that's tethered offshore within the park's swimming boundaries. The park has a small bath house, playground, and a nearby mineral well.

Zoll Street Beach is a smaller public beach on the east side of Harbor Springs. The park has a "dog-friendly" swimming beach with a grassy area for picnics. Limited parking is available on Zoll Street near the park; overflow parking is available at Jean Jardine Park.

Nearby, Harbor Springs Municipal Marina is a favorite spot for boaters. The marina has 31 seasonal slips and 46 transient slips. The marina has public restrooms, tennis courts, and picnic tables. The harbormaster is on duty 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the marina operates from May through mid-October.

Josephine Ford Park has a public boat launch on Little Traverse Bay, which is very popular during the summer. The park has a picnic area with a beautiful view of the bay, with restrooms only a short walk away.

On M-119, Kosequat Park features baseball fields, playground equipment, a sand volleyball court, basketball court, and skate park. The skate park is used by skateboarders for most of the year, but when the temperature drops, the skate park features an ice surface for ice skating. The park has a short walking trail that meanders around the athletic facilities.

Across the street, Ottawa Stadium Park has picnic facilities that overlook Ottawa Stadium, which is used for football and soccer.

When winter arrives, Kiwanis Winter Park on the northern edge of Harbor Springs is a favorite for kids of all ages. A long, steep hill at the park is used for sledding and snowboarding. Near the parking area, there is a warming building that has restrooms. The park has a few swings and playground equipment, which can be used year-round.

Near Harbor Springs City Hall, Jean Jardine Park hosts community events and art fairs, including the annual Native American Indian Art Fair. During the winter, a small cross-country ski trail loops around the park and past City Hall.

The Deer Park behind City Hall provides a free viewing area to see white tail deer. The park is open year-round.

Other athletic facilities in Harbor Springs include several tennis courts on Fairview Street, northeast of Harbor Springs Middle School. Harbor Springs also has a community pool on Bluff Drive, next to Harbor Springs High School. The pool is used by the public schools and offers "Learn to Swim" classes, lifeguard training, and other swimming programs.

Harbor Springs Area Trails

Harbor Springs is the northern-most point for the Litte Traverse Wheelway, a bike trail that stretches to Petoskey and Charlevoix. The trail is one of the most popular recreational routes in Michigan and features spectacular views of Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay.

Cyclists can ride along the edge of several streets in Harbor Springs to reach Zorn Beach, the Municipal Marina, and Kosequat Park.

Kosequat Park has a paved walking trail that snakes around the park, near the ball diamonds and parking lots.

Jean Jardine Park has a short cross-country ski trail during the winter that loops around the past City Hall and the Deer Park.

Boating & Water Activities

Harbor Springs is a popular destination for boaters and watersports enthusiasts. Harbor Springs Municipal Marina is close to downtown and offers transient docking with 58 slips. Water, electrical service (110v - 220v), pump-out, ice, showers and restrooms are available. A picnic area and several tennis courts are located near the marina. For more information, call (231)526-5355.

Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan are easibly accessible from the town's public boat launching facilities at Josephine Ford Park. A day use or seasonal permit is required to use the boat launch ramp. There are parking spaces next to the park's U-shaped drive. Overnight parking is not permitted.

More About Harbor Springs

Harbor Springs' cozy downtown area features art galleries, on-of-a-kind shops, antique stores, and unique eateries. For lodging, Harbor Springs has a few choices for overnight stays, such as Colonial Inn and Best Western.

The Little Traverse Lighthouse on Harbor Point is a private residence, but for those who like lighthouses, you can see the part of lighthouse from Beach Drive on the east side of Harbor Springs.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts will want to visit nearby Nub's Nob and Boyne Highlands, two ski resorts that are ranked among the best in the United States.

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