Sleepy Hollow State Park
Encyclopedia
Sleepy Hollow State Park is a 2678 acres (10.8 km²) state park
located off US-27 in Ovid Township
and Victor Township
, near St. Johns
and Laingsburg, Michigan
. Located at 7835 East Price Road, the park contains many miles of hiking
, biking, and horse
trails as well as a medium-sized man-made lake
known as Lake Ovid
. A dam
located in the northwest corner of the lake flooded the area which created the relatively shallow body of water. Lake Ovid
, covering 410 acres (1.7 km²), was developed by damming the Little Maple River
. Several island
s of varying size provide sanctuary for a variety of marine bird species including Canada geese, swan
s, and blue heron
s.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located off US-27 in Ovid Township
Ovid Township, Clinton County, Michigan
Ovid Township is a civil township of Clinton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a population of 3,490.- Communities :* The village of Ovid is located within the township....
and Victor Township
Victor Township, Michigan
Victor Township is a civil township of Clinton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,275 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, near St. Johns
St. Johns, Michigan
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,485 people, 2,994 households, and 1,999 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,909.1 per square mile . There were 3,148 housing units at an average density of 802.9 per square mile...
and Laingsburg, Michigan
Laingsburg, Michigan
Laingsburg is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,283 at the United States 2010 census.Laingsburg is a former agricultural community that transitioned over the 1990s into a bedroom community for Lansing, the state capital...
. Located at 7835 East Price Road, the park contains many miles of hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, biking, and horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
trails as well as a medium-sized man-made lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
known as Lake Ovid
Lake Ovid
Lake Ovid is a reservoir located within Sleepy Hollow State Park, Michigan, which was created in 1974 when a dam was built to block the Little Maple River. Lake Ovid is a shallow lake with an average depth of ten feet...
. A dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
located in the northwest corner of the lake flooded the area which created the relatively shallow body of water. Lake Ovid
Lake Ovid
Lake Ovid is a reservoir located within Sleepy Hollow State Park, Michigan, which was created in 1974 when a dam was built to block the Little Maple River. Lake Ovid is a shallow lake with an average depth of ten feet...
, covering 410 acres (1.7 km²), was developed by damming the Little Maple River
Little Maple River
The Little Maple River is a tributary of the Maple River in the central part of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It rises in Victor Township, Clinton County at the outlet of Cedar Lake. It flows through Sleepy Hollow State Park which surrounds Lake Ovid. Lake Ovid was created by...
. Several island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s of varying size provide sanctuary for a variety of marine bird species including Canada geese, swan
Swan
Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae...
s, and blue heron
Blue heron
Blue heron can refer to:* Little Blue Heron, a small heron* Great Blue Heron, a large wading bird* Blue Heron Lake, Canada* Great Blue Heron Casino, Canada* Blue Heron Estate, Alberta* Blue Heron, Kentucky* Blue Heron Park Preserve, New York City...
s.
Facilities and activities
- Swimming
- HikingHikingHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
: The park offers more than 11 miles of hiking trails. - Mountain bikingMountain bikingMountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
: Trails are shared with bikers and mountain bikers. - EquestrianTrail ridingTrail riding sometimes called horse or pony trekking is riding outdoors on natural trails and roads as opposed to riding in an enclosed area such as a riding arena. The term may encompass those who travel on horses, on mountain bikes, or on motorcycles and other motorized all-terrain vehicles...
: There are also six miles of equestrian trails. - Cross-country skiingCross-country skiingCross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
: All trails are open to cross-country skiers. - FishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
: Lake Ovid provides habitat for smallmouth bassSmallmouth bassThe smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
, largemouth bassLargemouth bassThe largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, rock bassRock bassThe rock bass , also known as the rock perch, goggle-eye, or red eye is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. They are similar in appearance to smallmouth bass but are usually quite a bit smaller...
, bluegillBluegillThe Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
, catfishCatfishCatfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, muskellungeMuskellungeA muskellunge , also known as a muskelunge, muscallonge, milliganong, or maskinonge , is a large, relatively uncommon freshwater fish of North America. Muskellunge are the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae...
, northern pikeNorthern PikeThe northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
and other freshwater species. Two piers and a variety of shore fishing sites provide access. - BoatingBoatingBoating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
: The park provides landing access for small boatBoatA boat is a watercraft of any size designed to float or plane, to provide passage across water. Usually this water will be inland or in protected coastal areas. However, boats such as the whaleboat were designed to be operated from a ship in an offshore environment. In naval terms, a boat is a...
s on the west side of Lake Ovid; boaters are limited to no-wake throughout the waterways. The park concession rents canoeCanoeA canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
s and pontoonPontoonPontoon may refer to:* Float , an air-filled structure providing buoyancy* Pontoon , the Australian/Malaysian casino game* Pontoon , a chiefly British version of the card game blackjack...
boats. - Picnicking
- Picnic area
- Picnic shelters
- Wildlife viewing: Over 228 different animal species can be found in Sleepy Hollow State Park, from the blue jayBlue JayThe Blue Jay is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to North America. It is resident through most of eastern and central United States and southern Canada, although western populations may be migratory. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common near and in...
to the eastern bluebirdEastern BluebirdThe Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis, is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands and orchards, and most recently can be spotted in suburban areas. It is the state bird of Missouri and New York....
. Rarer species include sightings of the Bonaparte's gullBonaparte's GullThe Bonaparte's Gull is a small gull.The Bonaparte's Gull is a small species, larger only than the Little Gull and the Saunders's Gull among all gull species. Adults are long with a wingspan and a body mass of . They have a black hood and a short thin dark bill. The body is mainly white with...
and bald eagleBald EagleThe Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
s. - CampingCampingCamping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
: The campground offers 181 modern campsites; there is also a group-use area. - Metal DetectingMetal detectorA metal detector is a device which responds to metal that may not be readily apparent.The simplest form of a metal detector consists of an oscillator producing an alternating current that passes through a coil producing an alternating magnetic field...
: Metal detecting is permitted in designated areas of the park; however, any found items are subject to review by park staff and may be retained pending further investigation. - Snowmobiling: The west end of the park is open to snowmobilers once four inches of snow are on the ground.
- HuntingHuntingHunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
External links
- Sleepy Hollow State Park Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
- Sleepy Hollow State Park StateParks.com
- Sleepy Hollow State Park Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas)