Camping, boating and family-friendly fun: A guide to Michigan’s state parks

Memorial Day is on May 26, which means people will be flocking to the state’s 103 parks for the long weekend.

Before you pack up your tents, hiking boots, fishing gear or whatever else you may need, here’s a quick guide to what to expect during your vacation.

Costs

A state parks pass, known in Michigan as a Recreation Passport, is required for all vehicles entering parks, forest campgrounds, trails and boat launches managed through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Recreation Passport fees vary for residents and nonresidents.

Owners of Michigan-registered vehicles can purchase a Recreation Passport at the same time they renew their license plate registration through the secretary of state’s office: $14 for a yearly pass or $28 for a biennial pass. A Recreation Passport for Michigan-registered motorcycles and mopeds is $7. If you don’t buy your Recreation Passport when completing your registration renewal, you still have the opportunity to do so at a state park, recreation area or DNR customer service center, although there would be an additional $5 fee. 

For cars registered in other states, a yearly pass is $41 and a daily pass is $11. Yearly nonresident Passports expire Dec. 31 of the same year they were purchased.

It’s important to note that resident Recreation Passports can’t be purchased online, but an annual nonresident pass can be found on the DNR’s website (expect a 2-3 week processing time). Also, a Recreation Passport requires a separate fee from camping, lodging, or boat harbor reservation fees, the price of which varies by location.

For those entering a state-designated area on foot, bicycle or in a vehicle with a specific Michigan-issued license plate (ex-prisoner of war, disabled veteran, military Medal of Honor, Congressional Medal of Honor), a Recreation Passport isn’t required.

If you’re looking to rent an RV for the weekend, the DNR has compiled a list of over 150 small businesses across the state that offer rental services.

Rules

Michigan state parks are open to the public from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Only those registered for overnight camping in RVs and tents are allowed to stay in the parks after 10 p.m. To find the perfect park and register for an overnight stay, anyone 18 or older can visit MiDNRReservations.com or call 1-800-447-2757 to make a reservation.

Check-in for campers starts at 3 p.m., and checkout is at 1 p.m. The DNR requires that campsites not be left unattended for more than 24 hours.

If you’re staying in overnight lodging such as a cabin or a cottage, check-in begins at 4 p.m., and checkout is at 12 p.m.

State forest campgrounds are first come, first served, no reservation required. Other boat harbor slips, campsites and lodging not already reserved in advance may also be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you’re going to be staying on a boat overnight at any of the 82 state-sponsored harbors, you can check in beginning at 1 p.m. and check out before 11 a.m. Visitors are forbidden from swimming in the harbors.

Pets are welcome on state campgrounds and in parks as long as they remain on a 6-foot leash (with the exception of hunting dogs). No pets are allowed inside buildings besides service animals.

Alcohol possession and use may be limited or prohibited at certain state parks and boating locations.

Popular activities

If camping or boating isn’t your thing, consider participating in a new activity this weekend.

On May 23, Bay City State Park will be celebrating the opening day of its Spray Park for the 2025 summer season. From 10 a.m.-8 p.m., kids can splash around the park and families can set up a picnic. The event is weather-dependent; you can call the park at 989-684-6282 to receive any updates.

Saugatuck Dunes State Park is asking for volunteers to help pull garlic mustard from the dunes on May 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. According to the DNR, volunteering entails on- and off-trail hiking, and long-sleeve shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. To register, email Natural Resource Steward Tyler Lidgard at [email protected]. This event is also weather-dependent; call the park at 269-637-2788 with any questions.

There are plenty of other family-friendly activities planned at state parks heading into the summer! For a full list, check out the DNR’s events calendar.

Unique destinations

If you’re looking for special places to visit outside of the state’s regular camping grounds, these options could be what you’re looking for.

In the waters of Heron Beach, located inside the Holly Recreation Area, visitors can find the WhoaZone — a water playland featuring two obstacle courses, a giant springboard and a floating trampoline. A section of the play area is specially designed for kids ages 4-7. Watercraft rentals, lockers and concessions are also available.

History buffs will be entertained at the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum, located in the Hartwick Pines State Park. The museum transports visitors back to the 19th century, a time when Michigan was the nation’s No. 1 lumber producer, according to the DNR website. The museum recreates old-fashioned logging camps, a bunkhouse, a mess hall, a blacksmith shop and more. There are also interactive experiences allowing people to become a lumberjack for the day.

For more information about Michigan’s state parks, visit michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-parks.