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West Michigan has a variety of wonderful state parks, and Pentwater is home to one of them...Charles Mears State Park. Named after lumber baron Charles Mears, the 50-acre park
is located just north of Pentwater along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

HISTORY
Charles Mears was known as the "Christopher Columbus of the West Coast," due to the fact he operated 15 mills and built five harbors along the western coast of Michigan. In order to aid his lumber business, Mears dug a wide channel for the Pentwater River going to Lake Michigan. In 1955, he built his saw mill, as well as a nearby store and boarding house for his laborers. Originally called Middlesex, the area became known as Pentwater in 1867 when the village was created. Mears had built a long pier into Lake Michigan so that large boats could haul lumber from Pentwater to his Chicago yards. Charles Mears died in 1895, but his legacy lives on. In 1923, Mears' daughter Carrie deeded 600 feet of beach to the state of Michigan. This land was the beginning of what would become the present Charles Mears State Park.

FEATURES
Charles Mears State Park offers 175 paved campsite lots and a nice sandy beach along Lake Michigan, adjacent to the North Pierhead Light. There is a one mile interpretive trail for hiking, and a sand dune called Old Baldy that provides a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. Visitors can enjoy a playground, picnic shelter, great fishing, and even a metal detecting area.

PENTWATER
The charming village of Pentwater is known for its quaint shops, art galleries, and the wonderful Village Green, venue for many outdoor concerts and art fairs. Side streets feature beautiful Victorian homes and colorful, blooming gardens. Watch the sailboats as they glide in and out of the marina, and just relax as the Lake Michigan breezes cool you.

Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater is one of Michigan's premier state parks, with rich, historical significance.