About J.W. Wells State Park
J.W. Wells State Park stretches along 3 miles of Green Bay shoreline on the west side of the Upper Peninsula, near Cedar River and about 30 minutes south of Menominee. At 700 acres, it's one of the UP's better-kept camping secrets — a quiet Lake Michigan shoreline park without the crowds of the more famous UP destinations further north.
The modern campground has 150 sites with 30- or 50-amp electrical service on each site, plus 5 rustic cabins for those wanting an off-grid stay (no running water or electricity in the cabins). A designated swim beach with a buoyed area serves families, and an accessible playground with sensory panels adds inclusive play space.
Things to Do
The historic Baystone Lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s, sleeps 11 and anchors the park's day-use area. The Cedar River Trail runs through the park with three warming shelters for winter use, and pet-friendly lakeshore access makes it easy to bring dogs along the beach. Seasonal nature programming and an observation platform round out the park's offerings for wildlife watching along Green Bay.
Best Time to Visit
Summer brings the best beach weather along Green Bay, while winter opens up the Cedar River Trail's warming shelters for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing — a genuine four-season option for UP campers.
Reservation Tips
J.W. Wells sees far less traffic than the UP's marquee parks like Pictured Rocks or Porcupine Mountains, making it one of the easier Upper Peninsula shoreline parks to book. Reserve through MiDNRReservations.com within the 6-month window, and consider the rustic cabins if you want an off-grid stay without a tent.
Getting There
The park is on US-41 near Cedar River, about 30 minutes south of Menominee and roughly an hour north of Green Bay, Wisconsin.