[12] Hayes Township is located along the shore of Lake Michigan on the south side of the entrance to Little Traverse Bay.

The township extends to Lake Charlevoix on its southern border.

Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant was located within the township.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 1,893 people, 767 households, and 578 families residing in the township.

19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.