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Heading to a state park, fishing an inland lake, planning for fall hunting or a winter snowmobile trip, or supporting the outdoors some other way? Thank you! Every purchase of a hunting or fishing license, Recreation Passport, trail license/permit, boat registration or wildlife license plate helps support Michigan's fish and wildlife and beautiful outdoor places.
The Labor Day holiday weekend is the perfect time to enjoy it all, too! Don't let dwindling daylight and back-to-school schedules get you down. We're here with a few Michigan Department of Natural Resources stories to remind you that the great outdoors is here for you throughout September and all year long.
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTOS: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email — McLain State Park, Kal-Haven Trail, state forest, young sturgeon, beach flag and public lands — are available in the DNR's public online image collection. Other images (boating, off-road vehicle riding and Silver Lake horseback riding) are in this folder.
Outdoor adventurers know there’s a lot to love about “the Trails State” — a reputation Michigan continues to build with thousands of miles of trails open to hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding, snowmobiling and more.
September, with its shift from sultry summer to refreshing fall, is an ideal time to find your path! Not sure where to start? The DNR’s regional trails coordinators offer tips and info on their favorites:
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Sage Hegdal (southeast Lower Peninsula): “All of the trails in my region are unique. From urban to suburban to rural trails, and picking from hiking, biking, paddling and equestrian trails — it’s hard to choose a favorite because they are all lovely in their own ways. I love the art on the Dequindre Cut and on part of the Iron Belle Trail. I also enjoy getting a cup of coffee in downtown Oxford along the Polly Ann Trail, as well as hiking the trails at Waterloo Recreation Area.”
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Blake Gingrich (northeast Lower Peninsula): “The trails at Hartwick Pines are very nice. On nonmotorized trails I spend most of my time on mountain bike trails in and around state forest pathways. The Ogemaw Hills Pathway is nice, and the Mason Tract (with access via the Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground) is a nice hike along the river; you can fly fish along the way or watch people fly fish.”
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Carly Graff (western Upper Peninsula): “The Porcupine Mountains, with almost 110 miles of trails, are a favorite! With how remote it is, you can go many, many miles with no reception and hike miles without seeing another person. Folks definitely need to be prepared with some form of knowledge or tools when visiting.”
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Jill Sell (southwest Lower Peninsula): “My favorite trail is the Kal-Haven Trail. If you start at the South Haven trailhead and head east, it’s a beautiful walk!”
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Scott Slavin (northwest Lower Peninsula): “Honestly, I like my entire region. I have just about every type of trail: motorized and nonmotorized, from the longest paved trail in Michigan (the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail) to hundreds of miles of some of the highest-use motorized trail systems in the state.”
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To help people of all abilities experience the outdoors, many of Michigan’s trails and scenic sites offer accessibility features. Several locations have specially adapted EnChroma lenses that help people with red-green colorblindness to see color more clearly, distinctly and vibrantly, and 36 state parks offer off-road, electronic track chairs designed to safely navigate a variety of terrain.
Learn more about statewide trail opportunities at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails.
Questions? Contact Tim Novak, DNR state trails coordinator, at 517-388-8347.
Horseback riders are invited to explore the unique landscape of Silver Lake State Park in Oceana County during a special shoreline riding season Nov. 1-30 (except Thanksgiving).
This designated horseback riding season, which follows the close of the off-road vehicle riding season at the park Oct. 31, features a predetermined riding route along Lake Michigan and through sloping sand dunes.
Registration opened Tuesday, Sept. 1, at MiDNRReservations.com. The fee is $10 per horse per day, with 125 daily spots available.
Riders can unload and prepare their horses at the equestrian staging area at the Silver Lake ORV Area, 8960 W. Fox Road in Mears. The staging area is open to vehicles from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“The shoreline horseback riding season is one of two unique ways the DNR has expanded off-season outdoor recreation at Silver Lake,” said Jody Johnston, Silver Lake State Park manager. “We also offer a fat-tire biking season Dec. 15 to March 15 each year.”
For links to both shoreline horseback riding and fat-tire biking seasons, including a registration link (horseback riding only), rules, maps, tips and other information, visit Michigan.gov/SilverLake.
Questions? Contact the park at 231-873-3083.
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Summer and fall blend together come September – this month just may be the most perfect time to get outside! – and one way to make the most of the ideal weather is to treat yourself to time in the woods.
With nearly 4 million acres of state forest, not to mention 103 state parks and numerous locally operated recreation areas, there’s no shortage of places to recenter and relax in Michigan’s forests.
“From Belle Isle in downtown Detroit to old-growth hemlock trees in the Porcupine Mountains, Michigan has a place where anyone can get into the forest and just enjoy it,” said Lawrence Law, forester with the DNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program. “A lot of the time we are rushing to do things and we have to be somewhere, and that’s not what it’s like to be in the forest.”
Spending time in the woods — what some refer to as “forest bathing” — is simple: find a spot and hang out to listen, smell and feel the forest. Be sure to look up and enjoy the structure of the leaves and branches, and look to the ground to see what’s happening on the forest floor. A few other ideas:
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Collect leaves that have fallen off trees; see how many different types you can find.
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Listen and watch for birds. You often hear them before you see them.
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Go on a wildlife scavenger hunt using a nature checklist you create or find online.
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Look and listen for frogs and insects; the trees are full of them this time of year! You can spot some insects by the damage they do. For example, a downed tree that has delicate, curving “galleries” on the surface of its wood could be an ash tree killed by the emerald ash borer, an invasive wood-boring beetle.
No matter where you go or how you choose to enjoy the woods, remember to follow “leave no trace” principles, which include carrying out all trash and recyclables, taking steps to prevent the spread of invasive species and staying on designated trails. Other reminders:
- Stacked rocks might look cool for your Instagram photo, but disturbing rocks on the forest floor removes habitat for insects and small animals.
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Don’t carve anything onto a tree, as that leaves a permanent scar.
“In our forests, we can be good observers, but we also need to be good stewards so that everyone can enjoy them,” Law said.
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Want to do something a bit different this Labor Day weekend? Consider connecting up close with one of Michigan’s oldest and longest-living species known as “living fossils” and “dinosaur fish” — the legendary lake sturgeon.
Visit the Black River sturgeon hatchery northwest of Onaway in Cheboygan County for free tours 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. You'll learn about sturgeon and how the hatchery supports their conservation and recovery.
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The upcoming holiday weekend gives many of us time to do what we love most — explore the outdoors, both on the water and in the woods. Whether boating, swimming or riding off-road vehicles, keep safety top of mind.
At the beach
Many, but not all, state parks offer swim areas identified by buoys or markers and water depth less than 5 feet at the time of buoy/marker installation. Additionally, buoyed swim areas along the Great Lakes have a beach flag warning system. Before you jump in, put safety first, especially on big water. The Great Lakes are large, powerful systems that hold more than 20% of the world's fresh water, and strong currents can catch even the most experienced swimmer off guard.
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Check weather conditions and beach flags in buoyed swim areas (double-red flags = water access closed, red flag = high hazard, yellow flag = medium hazard, green flag = low hazard).
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Choose buoyed swim areas located in state parks. Swim areas offer additional safety measures and visual cautions. It's important to note that not all state parks have designated swim areas; those that do will start to remove the buoys after Labor Day and as days shorten.
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Keep close watch on children and weaker swimmers: Stay within arm's reach, have them wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, be conscious of their limits and take breaks frequently.
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On the water
Drowning was the cause of death in 76 percent of recreational boating fatalities where the cause of death was reported, according to 2024 U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating statistics. Nearly 90% of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
Before leaving shore, consider these safety tips:
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Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Situations on the water can happen much too fast to reach for and put on a stowed life jacket.
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Check the weather, including the water temperature, and monitor changing conditions.
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Boat sober. Where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as a leading factor in boating-related deaths.
Boating on a Great Lake? Watch for orange flags or buoys, which signify nets — possibly covering more than an acre on the lake bottom — are nearby. If snagged by a boat, a net can be damaged or cause damage to the boat and other equipment.
If you see an orange flag or buoy while boating, turn the other way and maintain a distance of at least 500 feet. Avoid navigating between flags and pull in any fishing gear. Also keep in mind that additional flags may be difficult to see due to waves, glare, fog, low light or reduced visibility.
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On the trails
All ORV operators are urged to "Ride Right" to ensure everyone returns home safely to family and friends. That means:
- Ride at a safe speed.
- Ride sober.
- Ride on the right side of the trail.
- Keep lights on when riding.
- Always wear a helmet.
Parents are reminded that they must visually supervise children under the age of 16 who are operating an ORV, whether riding on public or private property. Additionally, operators who are transporting children should refer to the vehicle owner’s manual regarding use of car seats or boosters.
“Most ORV crashes can be avoided,” said Cpl. Mike Hearn, DNR Law Enforcement Division ORV and snowmobile specialist. “When operators ride too fast, they are more likely to lose control when they hit even the smallest bump or try to make turns or stop. Always ride within your and the machine's capabilities.”
Questions?
Visit Michigan.gov/RecreationalSafety for information on earning your boating, hunting, snowmobile or off-road vehicle safety certificate. For more on the program, contact 2nd Lt. Steve Orange at 616-262-6810.
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You may not know it, but the fourth Saturday in September is National Public Lands Day — the country’s largest single-day volunteer effort centered on public lands. This annual event has become the perfect opportunity for people to devote a day to caring for and cleaning up public green and wild spaces, including parks, trails, hunting lands and forests.
Michigan’s got a lot to love, with an abundance of places where people can stretch out, explore the outdoors and reconnect with themselves and nature. If you appreciate these amazing resources, show it Sept. 26 with some sweat equity! Visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers, where you’ll find dozens of ways to lend a hand, including:
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Stewardship workdays: Help restore and maintain fragile, native ecosystems in more than 20 state parks across southern Michigan.
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Adopt-a-Forest: Clean up illegal dump sites and increase awareness of recycling opportunities for waste materials found at these sites.
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Invasive species reporting: Whenever you visit public lands in Michigan, look for and report invasive species that threaten our woods and water.
Visit the National Public Lands Day website for even more inspiration.
The DNR is proud to care for approximately 4.6 million acres of public lands owned by Michigan residents. These include state forests, state parks, and state game and wildlife areas. The staff and volunteers who help maintain these public resources welcome assistance on National Public Lands Day and all year long. Hope to see you out there!
Questions? Learn more about the power of public lands or contact Kerry Heckman, DNR forest lands & special projects administrator.
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 No matter where holiday or fall travel takes you, do your part to protect Michigan's great outdoors and wild places. The outdoors is for everyone. Whether in the woods or on the water, always be courteous and safe, practice the "leave no trace" ethic — take only pictures, leave only footprints — and be kind to the staff and volunteers working hard to create memorable experiences! Learn more about how to recreate responsibly.
This photo is by Aubry Healy, for the Michigan DNR, at Ludington State Park in Mason County. See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182.
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