State Park · Michigan

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve (large dot) and the other state parks in Michigan. No free photo of this park yet.

Location: Jackson County, Michigan
Nearest town: 5.3 miles west of Manchester
Type: State Park

Directions Official park site ↗

About Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve

A five-mile former rail corridor cuts through the property and continues into grasslands on the eastern side. The land totals 1,122 acres split between two owners: the Michigan DNR holds 717 acres in Norvell Township, while the remaining 405 acres in Manchester Township belong to Washtenaw County. Management of the combined recreation area and nature preserve is shared jointly between the DNR and the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission.

Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.

Getting there

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve is in Jackson County, Michigan, 5.3 miles west of Manchester. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.

State parks near Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve

Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 80 in Michigan →

Towns near Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve

State parks near Jackson, State parks near Adrian, State parks near Ann Arbor, State parks near Monroe, State parks near Livonia, State parks near Toledo

Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.