There are public access locations throughout Crawford County for swimming and boating. Lake Margrethe has a public beach at the public campground off McIntyre’s Landing Road, M-72 West. Located at the southern end of the county, Higgins Lake offers two state parks with large beaches and wonderful swimming facilities. Jones Lake, Kneff Lake and Shupac Lake also have small public beaches for swimming.

There are boat launches located at Lake Margrethe and Higgins Lake for those with larger boats or for jet-skiis. In order to use these state forest areas you must have a “Michigan Recreation Passport”. Those are available to purchase at state parks, when renewing Michigan car registrations or when a state ranger is at the site. If there is no ranger when you arrive, they may put an envelope on your car and request that you purchase one by mail.