UPDATE: 3/1/2024:
2019 was the 100th Anniversary of Michigan State Parks and we're still celebrating!. Join the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Geocaching.com for the first official GeoTour in Michigan.
This tour was originally scheduled to run for three years, kicking off on Friday of Memorial Weekend in 2019 and continue through May 31, 2022. The success of this awesome tour has not gone unnoticed. On February 2, 2022, The DNR announced the extension of the GeoTour through September 24, 2024! Join us in making a final push to complete this very popular and very successful GeoTour before the sun sets on it.
Each geocache is in one of Michigan's state parks. The geocaches are arranged by MiGO Region, with twenty-five geocaches per region. The Ticket to Celebrate 100 is available for download from the DNR's Geocaching page. It explains how to qualify for prizes in each of the four regions and for the GeoTour as a whole.
Day use areas of state parks are open from 8AM to 10PM. Geocaching is limited to those hours. Entry into Michigan's State Parks requires a Michigan Recreation Passport. See the Resources section below for more information.
The sun will set on the MSPCGT at midnight Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The MSPCGT will go off the air as a GeoTour and the caches will disappear from the map. There is a lot of construction going on in our State Parks in 2024. Some of the GeoTour caches will have to be pulled earlier. The remaining geocaches in the tour will be archived October 1, 2024. Players will have until December 31, 2024 to claim any prize they have earned. Hiders will be contacted to request removal of the geocaches they hid unless they have made arrangements with park managers and have their own permit in place to keep the geocache in play, with a new GC Code.
Now for some good news: MiGO and the DNR are busy working on a new project that will kick off in the Spring of 2025, code named MSPGT 2.0. Are you interested in helping? Keep your MiGO Membership up to date and stay tuned to the website.
Cache:
This cache was hidden as part of the Michigan State Parks Centennial GeoTour, presented by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Geocaching Organization. Record the codeword printed on the log book and on a label inside the cache container to the appropriate box on the Ticket to Celebrate 100 form. See the instructions on the form to claim prizes.
This is a letterbox hybrid cache and is not hidden at the posted coordinates. Your journey will start at the Headquarters building in Van Buren State Park, where you can park a car provided there's an open spot in visitors parking. To seek this cache, proceed across the main road to the west and a slight jog north to the trail head located at N 42 20.248 W 86 18.112. You will then be on a trail headed west towards Lake Michigan!
Continue along this trail for approximately 300 feet, and the trail will take a turn to the left and up a slight hill. Make the turn and continue along the trail for approximately 500 feet and you'll find yourself walking through the middle of a valley where the terrain drops off from the trail both on your left and your right. You're in the homestretch now, another 200 feet or so along the trail and you'll see the remnants of a fallen tree on the right side of the trail. Tucked in behind one of these fallen trunk pieces is the ammo can / letterbox that you seek!
This is a special letterbox for many reasons! First, you'll find a special stamp inside commemorating this geo-tour series, please plan to bring a stamp pad! Second, there's an option to participate in a postcard trade, please trade evenly, and ensure the bag closes tightly! Finally, enjoy the custom container!! Once you're done with the container and have replaced it, you'll want to strongly consider traveling another 200 feet or so to the west on this trail. You won't regret it, and make sure to bring a camera. This view of Lake Michigan is absolutely breathtaking!!
You are looking for a Regular size container. Please return everything as good or better than you found it.
Thank you
Rj_toot
for creating, hiding and maintaining this MSPC GeoTour cache.
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Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Aerial View of Van Buren State Park
Van Buren State Park:
Van Buren State Park is comprised of 400 acres of land located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in
northern Van Buren County. The focal points of the park are its high dune formations and one mile of
sandy beach.
The campground has 220 modern campsites, located approximately 400 yards from Lake Michigan. While none of the campsites offer a view of the lake, there is a short walking path linking the campground to the day use area and the sidewalk down to the beach. Each site has electricity, a picnic table and a fire ring. Located within the campground are two modern restroom/shower buildings and a children′s play area. Reservations may be made up to six months in advance.
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Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Sunset over Lake Michigan
History:
Van Buren became a state park in May of 1965 when the original 167-acre plot was purchased from the Harry LaBar Drake family. Since then two other land purchases have been made to form the current park.
Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Activities:
The park offers a variety of activities including biking, hiking, metal detecting, paddling and swimming. There is also a playground The day use area has picnic tables and grills, a picnic shelter and two modern restroom buildings. Lake Michigan provides a great area for swimming and a beautiful beach for sun bathing. The park offers 14 miles of trails for hiking! Located three miles south of South Haven, the campground is only minutes away from local shops and restaurants
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Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fall Colors at Van Buren State Park
Nearby South Haven, a premier tourist destination, has been featured in Midwest Living Magazine, The Chicago Tribune and the Detroit Free Press, as well as many other prominent publications. Various festivals are held throughout the year including: Harbor Fest (June), the Annual Art Fair (July), the National Blueberry Festival (August), the All Craft Show (Labor Day Weekend) and the Antique Engine & Tractor Show (September). In the summer, there are free weekly concerts at Riverfront Park.
Information:
For more information, reservations and a calendar of events, follow this link to
Van Buren State Park.
Special thanks to
anttoady
(RIP)
for help with this geocache.
Special thanks to Cold Cache Crew and Silent Whistles for the Southwest regional prize.
Resources: