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For most Michiganders, June is considered the first month of summer. If you're looking for ways to get outdoors and enjoy it, look no further than the state parks. Below are just a few of the many activities taking place in June, but don't take our word for it. Go get outdoors and experience it for yourself!
During the 2014 Summer Kickoff, fees are waived for some of Michigan's most popular outdoor activities. It's a great time to grab a fishing pole, ride an ORV or enjoy a day in the outdoors at a state park. The celebration includes the following:
- June 7-8 is FREE Fishing Weekend: no fishing license required. Michigan residents and visitors can enjoy fishing in both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations still apply. www.michigan.gov/freefishing.
- June 7-8 is FREE ORV Weekend: no license or permit required for Off-Road Vehicles. All ORV laws still apply. Find a trail at www.michigan.gov/orvtrails.
- June 8, get FREE entry to all 102 state parks, no Recreation Passport required. Pack a picnic, bring some sand toys and make a day of it! Camping fees still apply for overnight visitors. Find a park near you at www.michigan.gov/stateparks.
In addition to waiving fees for recreation activities, the DNR is offering more than 50 fun outdoor programs and events throughout Michigan during the Summer Kickoff, including:
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National Trails Day: On Saturday, June 7, take a Walk in the Park with
Blue Cross Blue Shield and the DNR. Enjoy a scenic walk with
your friends, family and neighbors in MI Big
Green Gym. Learn more at www.mibiggreengym.org.
- Michigan Boating
Week: This weeklong campaign, June 7-14, offers many opportunities to get
started with boating or get back into it. Michigan Boating Week also aims to
educate boaters about how to become stewards of the water. www.michigan.gov/boating.
The DNR's GO-Get Outdoors calendar lists details for all of the Summer Kickoff events. Visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors to find an event near you.
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 June 7 is National Trails Day, and events are taking place across Michigan to celebrate and get people outdoors.
Iron Range Roll, 1 p.m.: Participants can ride, relay or run this 16-mile point-to-point race from Ishpeming to Marquette on the beautiful Iron Ore Heritage Trail. First participant wave departs from Cliffs Shaft Museum at 1 p.m., and an awards celebration and gathering will follow for participants, volunteers, and friends/family at the Ore Dock Brewing Co. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Marquette County's "Reach & Rise" youth mentoring program. Visit www.IronRangeRoll.com for details.
Walk in the Park: This event series is sponsored by MI Big Green Gym, a partnership of the DNR, Michigan Recreation & Parks Association (MRPA) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Enjoy a walk with friends, family and neighbors while learning about and experiencing all that your state parks have to offer.
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Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 a.m.: Drop off the vehicle at Park Lyndon North and carpool to Green Lake Campground Trail parking lot for a guided educational hike with park naturalists.
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Bay City State Recreation Area, 10:30 a.m.: Meet at Shelter #3. Arrive as early as 9:30 p.m. for snacks and a meet and greet with Senator Mike Green and other local officials, followed by a tour, park updates and program information.
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Mitchell State Park, 1 p.m.: Hike the Heritage Trail behind Carl T. Johnson Hunt and Fish Center, and then stop by the free youth fishing derby afterwards.
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Tahquamenon Falls State Park, 1 p.m.: Meet at Upper Falls Fact Shack for a guided tour where you’ll view and learn all about the largest waterfall in Michigan.
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Van Riper State Park, 7:15 p.m.: Meet at the bike path trailhead near the registration building to explore the trails near Beaver Pond and around Miner’s Loop.
For a listing of all Walk in the Park events in Michigan, please visit www.mibiggreengym.org/walkinthepark.
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Join the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance for the Michigander Bicycle Tour, July 12-18, and explore miles of sandy beaches, the “greatest” lakes in the U.S. and breathtaking national forests—all on two wheels. Experienced and beginner cyclists of all ages are welcome in this bicycling adventure.
This summer tradition takes riders along pristine Lake Michigan beaches and carries them through picturesque towns of Northern Michigan, including Sleeping Bear Dunes, voted Good Morning America’s “Most Beautiful Place in America,” and Traverse City, known for cherry production and top-rated wineries! Come pedal with us along the many trails and enjoy all the natural beauty that a Pure Michigan summer up north has to offer.
Bring your hybrid, mountain or road bike. An all-paved route is available for road bikes and there are opportunities for mountain bikers to test their mettle on singletrack.
Registrations for all tour options include:
- Dinner and breakfast each day
- Showers
- Baggage transport
- Shuttle to local attractions
- Water stops
- Gourmet coffee and tea
- Cell phone charging stations
- Evening entertainment
The 2-day tour option is a great choice for families and first-time riders who want to see what bicycle touring is all about. Those who want to extend their fun and fitness challenge can enjoy the trails and towns of the 6-day and 7-day tour. Dates for each option are listed below:
- 2-day Tour (July 12-13)
- 6-day Tour (July 13-18)
- 7-day Tour (July 12-18)
Registration & payment is due June 27. Register today at www.MichiganTrails.org.
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 The DNR and the Michigan Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) are pleased to announce the 2014 MRPA Grand Experience program - a great travel opportunity to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island for adults 50 years or better.
Join us for 3 days and 2 nights at the historic Grand Hotel, October 12-14, 2014. Each day, enjoy a full breakfast each morning, tea and cookies and a five-course dinner. Also included:
- Nightly demitasse and dancing with the Grand Hotel Orchestra
- Grand Hotel history lecture
- Grand Hotel kitchen tour
- Carriage tour, self-guided walks, and movies
- Tournaments (bocce, bingo, golf putting and chipping – weather permitting)
- Writing and photography contests
- Daily activities, evening entertainment
- Round trip ferry tickets, horse drawn taxi to and from ferry docks to Grand Hotel, and discounts on bicycle rental, golf, photos, and of course, fudge!
All inclusive cost: $477 per person based on double occupancy; $652 per person for single occupancy. Price listed includes all taxes, gratuities and baggage fees. Make your reservation today by visiting www.tinyurl.com/2014GrandExperience or calling MRPA at 517-485-9888.
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