Finding your next camping or overnight lodging spot just got a whole lot easier! We've recently rolled out a new flexible dates feature that we think you'll like!

When choosing your stay on the Michigan state park and harbor reservation site, you’ll now see a brand-new "Flexible dates" toggle at the top of the dates menu. Just tell us how many nights you need, what month you have in mind, whether you’re holding out for a weekend and the state park you have in mind. Our goal is to help the stars align for your trip!

With campsites, lodging and harbor slips available for booking up to six months in advance, you can secure reservations all the way into September.

April is known for spring showers, early flowers and Earth Day!

As the days stretch longer and cabin fever fades, it’s the perfect moment to get outside and give back to Mother Earth.

Whether you grab a bag for your own beach clean-up, head out on the trails, participate in a volunteer stewardship workday or find an upcoming volunteer opportunity on the DNR's Get involved webpage, let's make a difference together!

Each spring, as Michigan boaters unwrap their watercraft, they can unwillingly generate a massive amount of plastic shrink-wrap waste.

Because this specialized polyethylene film isn't accepted in curbside bins, the Michigan Recycling Coalition created a dedicated solution.

Through the Recycle Run: Boat Shrink-Wrap Recycling Program, keeping plastic out of our landfills is as easy as registering online, buying your $13 storage bag(s) and visiting the nearest drop-spot.

Step outside and experience the magnificent night sky during International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20. It’s the perfect time to go stargazing and learn about the importance of the night sky.

Dark sky preserves in Michigan state parks and international dark sky parks and sanctuaries in the state  – places where light pollution is minimized – offer an unpolluted window into the cosmos! If you’re an avid stargazer or just curious, these locations are some of the best places in Michigan to spot the stars. So, head outdoors to enjoy the night sky. Maybe you’ll even catch a shooting star!

With April 1 marking the start of the 2026-27 ORV season in Michigan, riders are already heading out on 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails, scramble areas, and (eligible) county, state forest and national forest roads.

If you’re planning an adventure to Silver Lake ORV Area, keep safety top of mind — this 450-acre scramble area features terrain much different from our state’s traditional ORV trails and routes.

Follow these Ride Right tips to keep everyone safe:

• “Keep your head on a swivel.” Make an effort to scan and observe in all directions while on the dunes.
• Always practice situational awareness. Be aware of the potential hazards that could affect you and other riders.
• Know what is beyond the crest of a hill before traveling up and over it.

Find all tips ►