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Sept. 2, 2016
Contact: Kelly Somero (western U.P.), 906-353-6558 or Melanie Brand (eastern U.P.), 906-339-4461
Explore, enjoy great outdoors with state park events in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
 As summer winds down and the fall weather starts to appear, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites visitors to enjoy the great outdoors during upcoming events at state parks in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. All events are geared toward helping people better connect with and explore Michigan's great outdoors.
Visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors and click on Events Calendar to view events taking place throughout the year. September highlights include:
The Big Spring at Palms Book State Park (Schoolcraft County) Saturday, Sept. 3
Don't miss out on this fun opportunity to learn about regional history on Kitch-iti-kipi – Michigan’s largest natural spring – and Palms Book State Park. Join an explorer guide at 1 p.m. for this interesting program. For additional details, contact the park at 906-341-2355.
Thompson Fishy Facts at Indian Lake State Park (Schoolcraft County) Sunday, Sept. 4
Meet Explorer Guide Leah at the hatchery kiosk for 20-minute walking tours that start every half hour. The tour offers a closer study of state fish-hatchery life. For more information about the park or the event, call 906-341-2355.
Cedar River Bridge Walk at Cedar River State Harbor (Menominee County) Sunday, Sept. 4
Enjoy views of Cedar River and Cedar River State Harbor on the Annual Cedar River Bridge Walk from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about the park or the event, call 906-863-9747 or visit www.michigan.gov/cedarriverharbor or www.facebook.com/CedarRiverBridgeWalk.
Willow Tension Tray with Poppy Hatinger at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County) Saturday, Sept. 10
Students will use Upper Peninsula cultivated and hedgerow wild willow to construct a pair of simple rustic willow tension trays. The class is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET and costs $55. To register online, visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.
Initial Journal with Karen Tembreull at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County) Sunday, Sept. 11, and Monday, Sept. 12
Students will use pieces of birch to create the front and back covers of journals. They also will design and stitch an initial onto the cover using spruce roots and waxed linen. The class runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Sunday and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET Monday. The cost for the class is $125. To register online, visit www.porkies.org/folk-school,
call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.
 Geocaching at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park (Keweenaw County) Saturday, Sept. 17
The 10th annual geocaching event will include treasure hunting using GPS units (not provided) to find hidden treasures in and around the fort at a number of interesting, beautiful or historical locations in the nearby area. The event concludes with a participant get-together and an awards drawing at 2 p.m. Registration is available from 8 to 10 a.m. For more information about the park or the event, call 906-289-4215.
Create a Cutting Board with Dave Rasmussen at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County) Tuesday, Sept. 20, to Thursday, Sept. 22
Create a cutting board within two or three evening classes. Snacks will be provided. The class is from 6 to 8 p.m. ET and costs $56. To register online, visit www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.
MI-TRALE fall senior ORV ride at Twin Lakes State Park (Houghton County) Thursday, Sept. 22
Join Twin Lakes and MI-TRALE for a senior citizens ORV ride from Greenland to Twin Lakes State Park to enjoy fall colors, the beauty of the Bill Nicholls trail and the scenic triple trestles. A pasty lunch will be provided upon arrival at Twin Lakes State Park. To register for the ride or volunteer, contact Kim Sims with MI-TRALE at 863-528-5156. For more information about the park or the event, call 906-288-3321.
Landscape and Waterfall Photography Basics with Tim Feathers at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Ontonagon County) Saturday, Sept. 24
This class is designed for those beginning in photography who would like to learn more about the available settings on their cameras. Emphasis will be on landscape and waterfall photography. There also is an optional Union River expedition. The class is from 12:30 to 5 p.m. ET and costs $20. To register online, visit
www.porkies.org/folk-school, call 906-884-7663 or email friendsoftheporkies@yahoo.com.
Hike Between the Falls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Luce County) Saturday, Sept. 24
Celebrate Michigan Trails Week and National Public Lands Day by hiking the most popular trail in the park. The five-mile River Trail parallels the Tahquamenon River between the Upper and Lower Falls, traversing through old-growth forest, giant cedars and beautiful wildflowers. Hikers can park their vehicles at the Lower Falls and take a free shuttle to the trailhead at the Upper Falls. Shuttles begin at 9 a.m. and run every 30 minutes. The last shuttle departs the Lower Falls at 1 p.m. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. Leashed dogs are welcome on the shuttle and the hiking trails. For additional details, check out the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter of the NCT’s Facebook event www.facebook.com/events/293591807663268/ or contact the park at 906-492-3415
Harvests and Haunts events
As temperatures begin to cool down and summer camping transitions into fall camping, more than 30 Michigan state parks and recreation areas are preparing their fall harvest festivals. Hay rides, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, costume contests, haunted trails, cider and donuts, haunted trails, nature programs and horse-drawn carriage rides are just a few of the many family-friendly activities taking place throughout the state during the months of September and October. Each park puts its own personal spin on the celebrations, so no two events are exactly the same.
Check out events in the western Upper Peninsula or visit www.michigan.gov/harvestsandhaunts to view a list of Harvests and Haunts events taking place throughout the state.
10th Annual Harvest Festival at Baraga State Park (Baraga County) Friday, Sept. 9, to Saturday Sept. 10
Participate in a Halloween-themed event with camper favorite activities such as trick-or-treating and campsite decorating and some special 10th annual events! For more information about the park or the event, call Baraga State Park at (906) 353-6558 or visit the park's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BaragaStatePark.
Harvest Festival weekends at Van Riper State Park (Marquette County) Sept. 9-11, Sept. 16-18 and Sept. 23-25
There will be three weekends of SPOOKTACULAR good times in Van Riper State Park! A number of family-friendly activities will take place, including making BOO bread with the campground hosts, the Monster Mash dance, face-painting, a campsite decorating contest, trick-or-treating and the famous HAUNTED hike. For more information about the park or the event, call 906-339-4461.
Harvest Festival at Bewabic State Park (Iron County) Friday, Sept. 16, and Saturday, Sept. 17
Bring your Halloween costumes, decorations and candy for trick-or-treating! Other activities include crafts, campfire cooking, storytelling, games, face-painting, a parade and campsite decorating. For more information about the park or the event, call 906-875-3324.
Spooktacular at Wells State Park (Menominee County) Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24
Get your costumes and Halloween decorations ready for Wells State Park's annual Spooktacular celebration. This Halloween-themed event has activities such as pumpkin-painting, wagon rides, crafts, a costume parade, creepy campsite decorating, trick-or-treating, games and more! Support the Friends of J.W. Wells State Park by donating and participating in a bird house building activity! For more information about the park or the event, call (906) 863-9747. For information about Friends of J.W. Wells State Park, visit www.facebook.com/groups/84463623171/.
Fall Fest at Lake Gogebic State Park (Gogebic County) Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24
Have some fall harvest fun, including pumpkin-carving, trick-or-treating and a potluck dinner! For more information about the park or the event, call 906-842-3341.
Harvest Festival at Brimley State Park (Chippewa County) Saturday, Sept. 24
Take part in a "fangtastic" day. A number of family-friendly events will be taking place throughout the day, including a pancake breakfast, pumpkin painting/carving, a chili cook-off and, of course, a costume contest and trick-or-treating! After dark. there will be a campsite decorating contest! For more information about the park or the event, contact the park at 906-248-3422
For more information about these events, visit the online calendar of events at www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors, call the park, or contact Kelly Somero (western Upper Peninsula) at somerok@michigan.gov or 906-353-6558 or Melanie Brand (eastern U.P.) at brandm@michigan.gov 906-339-4461.
Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.
To check camping availability in state parks and make a reservation, please visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 800-44PARKS (800-447-2757).
Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
/Editors' note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. A suggested caption follows.
HarvestFest.jpg: More than 30 Michigan state parks put a different spin on fall camping with fall harvest festivals, which include pumpkin-carving, costume contests, trick-or-treating and more.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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