Whether you want to spend time in some of Michigan’s most beautiful destinations, keep busy in retirement or lay the foundation toward a career in natural resources, these positions may be right for you.

There are approximately 1,300 seasonal park worker positions available. These frontline staffers register campers, clean buildings, mow grass and more. In addition, more than 50 seasonal park rangers will be hired throughout the state. Park rangers helps carry out day-to-day operations and maintenance and other essential duties. 

To learn about job opportunities at the DNR, visit Michigan.gov/DNRJobs.

For those of you who love your time in Michigan state parks and harbors, serving as a campground or harbor host just might be the perfect gig. 

The DNR is currently accepting applications for campground and harbor hosts at many locations across the state. 

Volunteer hosts are responsible for 30 hours of service per week, such as answering visitor questions, planning activities and performing light maintenance duties. In exchange, camping and slip fees are waived.

Whether you prefer hiking, running, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, off-roading, cross-county skiing or snowshoeing, a new comprehensive statewide trails plan will help sustain and ensure Michigan's state-designated trails and pathways remain relevant into the future.

The 2022-2032 Michigan DNR Trails Plan – built around the concept of "explore, connect, sustain" – provides an updated framework for the DNR's management of more than 13,400 miles of state-designated motorized and nonmotorized trails and pathways.

We invite you to read the plan and learn about efforts to cement Michigan’s reputation as the Trails State.

When the temperatures dip and the snow falls, there are whole new ways to explore and move in the outdoors.

The Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, located in the state park, is one of those prospects. You'll find an ice-skating trail, an Olympian-designed luge track, a sledding hill, lit cross-country ski trails and much more. Daily (or season) passes are required. Advance reservation for the luge is needed.

And, there’s no shortage of other cold-weather opportunities to get outdoors and into the fresh air, such as ice fishing, winter birding, hiking and more. Visit Michigan.gov/WinterFun for ideas.

Photo taken by park visitor Karissa Tryska

A big thank you to everyone who helped usher in the new year by participating in First Day Hikes.

The goal was for participants to collectively hike, cross-county ski, ride (horse or bike) or snowshoe 2,022 miles or more. This year's crew crushed it, with more than 1,328 registered participants logging 3,061 miles!

Visit Michigan.gov/DNRTrails to find resources to explore trails all year long.

Chris Sell, who looks forward to a year of hiking and trail running, participated in a First Day Hike on a local trail in Meridian Township.