Michigan is home to more than 13,400 miles of state-designated trails and local and regional options that offer something for everyone – there’s a reason we’re known as the Trails State.

This summer, the DNR wants to hear what trail visitors have to say about biking, hiking, track-chair operating, paddling, horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding and snowmobiling these pathways. 

The online survey includes questions about the kinds of activities enjoyed on trails, conditions and amenities that make for a great trail experience, frequently visited trail regions in Michigan and more.

Survey findings will be analyzed and shared with the Michigan Trails Advisory Council, made up of Michigan residents who advise the director of the DNR and the governor on the creation, development, operation and maintenance of motorized and nonmotorized trails.

Take the Michigan Trails Experience Survey open now through Aug. 1.

Boating is a fantastic way to enjoy the water, but proper boat ramp etiquette goes a long way in protecting your equipment, the environment and infrastructure. One practice to avoid is power loading.

Power loading is when a boater uses the power of the boat motor to load and unload a boat onto and off a trailer. This action can erode sediment and dig large and hazardous holes at the base of the ramp while also pushing eroded sediment into a mound a little farther out. Your tires could get stuck, boats can bottom out and the launch ramp could even collapse.

Find tips on safe loading and unloading.

Fall camping can mean cooler weather, fewer crowds and a better chance of snagging a campsite. Here are some tips to make your fall adventure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

• Sign up for the “Notify Me" feature on the Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations website to learn when a site becomes available for selected dates.
• Explore state forest campgrounds, which are typically first come, first served, for a more rustic experience.
• Many plan their camping trips around harvest festivals, popular with families and those who love Halloween.

To celebrate and inspire your outdoor adventures this summer, we’re sharing a "DNR staff picks" series on our social media channels that highlights our team’s most treasured trails.

We hope you follow along on our Michigan State Parks, Trails and Waterways Facebook and Instagram pages to see these posts. In the meantime, here’s one about a beloved northern Michigan state park and trail loop:

"My Michigan happy place is Hartwick Pines State Park! I’ve been visiting since I was a small child and love to introduce new people to the 1.25-mile Old Growth Trail. Open the door in the visitor’s center marked ‘To the Pines’ and you enter an enchanted world with trees up to 160 feet tall and 400 years old. Bonus: The Old Growth Trail is paved and accommodates wheelchairs, strollers and track chairs. If you’re looking for a different view or a more challenging trail, Hartwick Pines has more than 9,700 acres to explore. Check out the scenery at Bright and Glory lakes (a half-mile round trip on foot) or tackle the 3.9-mile Au Sable River Trail, which literally goes over the river and through the woods, in this case, old-growth hemlock. You can also stealth-teach the kids some history by checking out lumber equipment and the bunkhouse at the Logging Museum." - Kathleen Lavey, communications specialist in the DNR’s Forest Resources Division

Cigarette butts, discarded food wrappers, pieces of plastic – all items we wish to avoid when we’re at the beach and have our toes in the sand. 

Thanks to new technology – a beach-cleaning robot known as BeBot, developed by Niteko Robotics – we’ll be seeing less trash at many state park beaches.

Several state park beaches are now using the BeBot, an advanced method of managing litter that is electric-powered and remote-operated and has the ability to cover 32,000 square feet per hour! These include Brighton Recreation Area in Livingston County; Cheboygan and Petoskey state parks, farther north in the DNR's Gaylord District; and Belle Isle Park in Detroit. 

Learn more in our Showcasing the DNR story.