Facility Overview

Chase Roadside Park, commonly designated along travel maps as the US-10 Parking facility, is a public roadside parking area operated and maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Situated on the north side of US-10 in Chase Township within eastern Lake County, Michigan (coordinates: 43.899591, -85.696953), this open-air surface lot serves as a vital rest, staging, and rideshare point halfway between Baldwin and Reed City. The site features a loop and bay parking configuration lined by mature northern hardwood and pine trees.

Because the facility is configured entirely as a ground-level, open-air surface parking area, there are no overhead structures, barriers, or clearance limitations, providing unlimited vertical headroom. It comfortably accommodates standard sedans, light trucks, full-size SUVs, camper vans, raised four-wheel-drive trucks, and vehicles towing recreational utility trailers, boat trailers, or snowmobile trailers. While spacious enough for passenger vehicles and recreational haulers to maneuver safely, standard MDOT roadside park regulations apply, prohibiting long-term commercial tractor-trailer staging and overnight camping.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned in the heart of Northern Lower Michigan's recreational country, Chase Roadside Park serves as a premier gateway to regional outdoor adventures and nearby historic townships:

• Pere Marquette State Trail: Directly linked via a dedicated footpath spur from the north edge of the parking loop, this acclaimed 84-mile multi-use rail-trail stretches between Baldwin and Midland. It is a premier destination for hiking, cycling, and winter snowmobiling.
• Downtown Chase: Located less than 1 mile east along US-10, featuring the Chase Township Hall, historic rural landmarks, and local civic centers.
• Baldwin & The Pere Marquette River: Positioned approximately 7 miles west, the village of Baldwin is a legendary fly-fishing hub along the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Pere Marquette River, also hosting the historic Shrine of the Pines museum and the Lake County Historical Museum.
• Reed City & The 'Crossroads' Hub: Located approximately 6.5 miles east, Reed City marks the junction where the Pere Marquette State Trail intersects the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park. Visitors can access local dining, fuel stations, groceries, and Old City Park within an 8-minute drive.
• Huron-Manistee National Forests: The surrounding landscape provides hundreds of thousands of acres of public forest land offering seasonal deer and turkey hunting, designated ORV trail networks, birding, and serene river paddling.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the facility is direct and straightforward via US-10, a primary east-west trunkline connecting Lake Michigan at Ludington with US-131, US-127, and I-75 across Central Michigan. The lot features clearly paved deceleration and entry turnouts directly off the westbound/north shoulder of the highway, allowing safe transitions even when highway traffic moves at the posted 55–65 mph speed limit. Ingress and egress are well-separated with wide aprons that provide ample sightlines in both directions.

For regional highway transit, the major north-south expressway US-131 is situated just 6 miles east at Reed City, offering rapid connections north toward Cadillac and south toward Big Rapids and Grand Rapids. Local transit connectivity in the surrounding rural area is supported by the Yates Dial-A-Ride demand-response shuttle serving Lake County and the US-10 transit corridor, while the Mecosta-Osceola Transit Authority (MOTA) operates just across the county border to the east.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• 100% Free Public Parking: No ticketing, parking fees, gate arms, or permit requirements for daytime travelers and commuters.
• Pere Marquette Trailhead Access: Immediate access path leading onto the Pere Marquette State Trail corridor.
• Seasonal MDOT Restroom Facilities: On-site rustic vault restrooms maintained seasonally by MDOT road maintenance crews.
• Picnic Grounds: Shaded wooden picnic tables and outdoor grills set beneath shade trees for meal breaks.
• High-Clearance Friendly: Uncovered surface parking accommodating rooftop cargo boxes, kayak racks, camper tops, and recreational equipment.
• Pet-Friendly Green Spaces: Expansive lawn areas along the perimeter ideal for exercising leashed dogs during highway road trips.
• Designated Accessible Spaces: Paved, level accessible parking spaces situated nearest the picnic areas and facilities.

Ideal For

• Trail Hikers & Cyclists: Excellent, free daytime staging point for hitting the Pere Marquette State Trail without paying municipal parking fees.
• Highway Travelers & Families: A peaceful, shaded rest stop along US-10 to break up long drives across the Lower Peninsula.
• Carpoolers & Commuters: Convenient meeting spot for rideshare commuters traveling along US-10 between Lake, Osceola, and Mecosta counties.
• Hunters & Anglers: A reliable vehicle base when heading into surrounding state game areas and nearby trout waters.
• Winter Snowmobilers: Practical staging area during snowy winter months for trail access along the rail corridor.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When planning a stop at Chase Roadside Park, keep these helpful travel guidelines in mind:

• Seasonal Operations: Like most MDOT roadside parks in Northern Michigan, full amenities (including open restrooms and trash service) operate seasonally from late April through late October. The paved turnout remains accessible year-round, but facilities are winterized and locked during freezing months.
• Day-Use Regulations: MDOT roadside facilities are designated for travel pauses, vehicle carpooling, and day recreation. Overnight vehicle camping, RV dry camping, and pitching tents are strictly prohibited by state regulation.
• Stock Up on Necessities: The park provides primitive amenities without concessions or running tap water outside of seasonal testing periods. Pick up food, water, and fuel at nearby convenience stores in Baldwin or Reed City.
• Watch for Wildlife: Lake County has heavy white-tailed deer populations. Exercise caution when decelerating into or accelerating out of the park driveway along US-10, especially during early morning and twilight hours.
• Pack It In, Pack It Out: Help preserve Michigan’s natural roadside beauty by disposing of trash in on-site bins or packing waste out if visiting during the off-season.