No hunting is allowed in Wilson State Park, but there are thousands of acres of state land which are open to hunting only a few miles away. Grouse, woodcock, squirrel, rabbit, deer, and bear are all popular game animals in the surrounding hunting areas.

In the winter, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing are the major winter recreation activities around the park. There is also downhill skiing at Snowsnake Mountain, winter hiking, and golfing at the annual Frost Bite Open Golf Tournament on Budd Lake.

The Clare County Fairgrounds are across from the park and host many activities in the summer months including the County Fair, Michigan Bow Hunters Rendezvous, Monster Truck Show and the Exhibitor's Exposition. Other local activities are miniature golf, arcade games, batting cages, go-carts, canoeing on the Muskegon River, golf, biking and nature observation.