The DNR is partnering with two Michigan businesses - Yooper Shirts and Peninsulas - to make Michigan state park, trail and boating merchandise and apparel available anywhere, anytime. 

It's a great opportunity for fans and visitors to show their love for these recreation destinations, while generating revenue for improvements and maintenance projects. 

Peninsulas was awarded the contract for destinations in the Lower Peninsula, while Yooper Shirts will work with Upper Peninsula destinations. Merchandise and apparel will be available through both partners’ brick-and-mortar stores, on-site at select state park stores and retail outlets and online at shoppeninsulas.com and yoopershirts.com.

The DNR recently put in place a new camping and modification policy that helps incentivize campers to finalize their plans as soon as possible rather than holding onto several blocks of campsites.

The new structure, which began Nov. 1, still includes the $10 modification and cancellation fee, but will also include an additional incremental fee based on the length of time between the date the initial reservation was made and the planned arrival date (eg. 10% for reservations held up to two months to 40% for reservations held longer than five months). There will not be a fee to add camp nights.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to put away leftovers and #OptOutside as part of their day-after-Thanksgiving traditions. 

On Friday, Nov. 24, the DNR will waive the regular Recreation Passport entry fee that enables vehicle access to Michigan's 103 state parks, 138 state forest campgrounds and parking for hundreds of miles of trails and fee-based boat launches. Camping and other permit and license fees still apply. 

Visit michigan.gov/stateparks to learn about things to do and places to visit.

The DNR is looking for volunteers to fulfill roles as campground hosts at Michigan state parks and rustic forest campgrounds. In exchange, camping fees will be waived in some of Michigan's favorite outdoor destinations.

Volunteer campground hosts are responsible for 30 hours of service per week, including answering visitor questions, planning campground activities and performing light park maintenance duties. Both individuals and couples may apply. 

Click on "campground host" at michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers to learn more.

Purchase a snowmobile trail permit, grab your sled and take a ride on 6,000 plus miles of designated trails, public lands and thousands more miles of public roads (where authorized). 

Purchase your permit now - so you are ready when the snow flies. The snowmobile program is 100-percent funded by riders with all of the revenue being reinvested back into the program. Visit michigan.gov/snowmobiling.

Still just $11, the Recreation Passport is your very own key to exploring Michigan's 103 state parks, 138 state forest campgrounds, hundreds of miles of trails, historic sites, boat launches & more. Plus, it's the easiest way to support and protect our state parks, trails and waterways for the next generation.