 | | The pleasant location and relatively warm water of Lake Roland make this a popular overnight state park. Campers don't seem to mind the nearby highway. They appreciate the central location, an easy drive to Houghton-Hancock to the north and the Adventure Mine and the Porcupine Mountains to the south. | The campground and 500-foot beach at the picnic area here are wedged between M-26 and Lake Roland. It's one of the Upper Peninsula's warmest lakes, and therefore a popular spot in June, when it's too cold to even think of swimming most places. There are two picnic pavilions, one enclosed, a boat launch, and a playground, horseshoe pits, volleyball and basketball areas. The state doesn't own all that much shoreline here; cottages surround much of the lake and its neighbor, Lake Gerald.
Most of the acreage of the 175-acre park is the heavily wooded area across the highway from the lake. Here a 1 1/2-mile hiking and ski trail rises to two overlooks with long views west to Lake Superior, providing it's a clear day.
The parks division proposed closing Twin Lakes during a budget crunch, but there were too many complaints from regular users who liked its central location for family get-togethers. The new campground reservations system has increased occupancy and use.
Across the highway, the Bill Nicholls Rail Trail between Mass City and Houghton is mostly used by snowmobiles but could be used by mountain bikes as well. (—April, 2008)
On M-26 26 miles southwest of Houghton and 15 miles north of Mass City. (906) 447-2757. michigan.gov/twinlakes. State park sticker required: $6/day for Michigan residents, $8 for non-residents, or $24 and $29 a year. Handicap access: call. Dogs permitted on 6-foot leash.
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