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With temperatures not too cool, but not too warm, September is just perfect for enjoying the great outdoors in Michigan. Here are some of the ways you can take advantage of this beautiful season at Michigan's state parks:
If you've never been to a Michigan state park Harvest Festival, you're missing out! These celebrations usually take place in the campground and feature a variety of activities such as trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, campsite decorating contests, games and more fall-themed fun.
Sites fill quickly, so head to www.midnrreservations.com to book your spot today! Events with an asterisk are for registered campers only.
Sept. 12-13
-Baraga State Park – nature programs, games, face painting, trick-or-treating, costume contests (limited camping availability)
Sept. 20
-Fort Wilkins Historic State Park - campsite decorating, trick-or-treating, geocaching and food
Sept. 26-27
-Proud Lake Recreation Area* - hay rides, games, campsite decorating, trick-or-treating and more
-Wells State Park* - a variety of Halloween-themed activities, including pumpkin painting, horse-drawn carriage rides
Sept. 26-28
-Seven Lakes State Park* - trick-or-treating, games, campsite decorating and prizes
Sept. 27
-Bay City State Recreation Area* - campsite decorating, games and fun
-Bay City State Recreation Area - trick-or-treating at the Day Use Area
-Leelanau State Park - a farmers market, pancake breakfast, lunch, fresh apple cider, interactive demonstrations and games
-North Higgins Lake State Park - Fall Festival activities will begin at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day
-Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park - pumpkin-lit trail open to the public for self-guided hikes
Sept. 27-28
-Brimley State Park* - a haunted house and many more seasonal activities (only the haunted house is open to non-campers)
Oct. 3-4
-Proud Lake Recreation Area* - hay rides, games, campsite decorating, trick-or-treating and more seasonal fun
-South Higgins Lake State Park - hay ride, haunted forest, costume ball, campsite decorating
Oct. 3-5
-Holland State Park* - campsite decorating, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, games and crafts (limited camping availability)
-Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park - live music, costume contest, trick-or-treating and haunted headquarters
-Lakeport State Park* - campsite decorating contest, costume contest, trick-or-treating
-Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area* - pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, costume parade, trick-or-treating
-Otsego Lake State Park* - campsite decorating contest, pumpkin painting, face and fingernail painting, t-shirt craft
-Seven Lakes State Park* - trick-or-treating, games, campsite decorating
-Sleeper State Park* - arts and crafts, costume parade, pumpkin chucking, trick-or-treating, campsite decoration contest
Oct. 4
-Bay City State Recreation Area* - campsite decorating, games
-Bay City State Recreation Area - trick-or-treating at the Day Use Area
-Fayette Historic State Park - hay rides, Halloween-style fun, campsite decorating and kids' activities that adults will enjoy too
-Hartwick Pines State Park* - campsite decorating, trick-or-treating for the kids, hay rides
-Wilson State Park* - pumpkin carving, hay rides, and trick-or-treating
Oct. 4-5
-Aloha State Park - kids' activities, trick-or-treating, chili cook-off and site decorating, sponsored by Fernelius Auto Group
-Brimley State Park* - a haunted house and many more seasonal activities (only the haunted house is open to non-campers)
For information about a specific event, please visit the online Calendar of Events or contact the park directly. To see a full list of fall harvest festivals, visit www.michigan.gov/gogetoutdoors, and select “Harvests and Haunts.”
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Michigan Trails Week is September 20-27, and everyone is invited to walk, hike, bike, ride, run or paddle on their favorite trail to celebrate! Trail associations, recreation groups, local communities and individuals are also hosting Michigan Trails Week events throughout the state, and more events are being added regularly.
Don't see an event in your area? Hit the trails on your own, with friends or family just for fun! Or you can get in on the fun and plan your own event, whether it's a 5K, a bike ride, an equestrian ride, guided paddle or any other trail-related event. To have your event added to the calendar, simply email the details to mitrailweek@gmail.com.
This weeklong celebration ends on National Public Lands Day, which is the largest single-day volunteer event in the U.S. for public lands. To celebrate, the DNR is offering free vehicle entry to Michigan state parks on Sept. 27, no Recreation Passport required. You can also do your part to help preserve Michigan's public trails by volunteering your time, making a financial contribution to support your favorite trail or simply telling others about Michigan's great trails, state parks and other public lands!
More information and event planning resources are available at www.michigan.gov/trailsweek.
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Michigan state parks and recreation areas in southern Michigan are seeking volunteers for fall stewardship workdays. Spend some time outdoors in the beautiful late-summer weather while helping to restore unique woodlands, prairies and wetlands. Volunteers of all ages, including youth and Scout groups, service clubs and other organizations, are invited to participate.
Refreshments will be provided after workdays in southwest Michigan parks (marked with an asterisk). Workday dates, locations (counties) and times are:
-Saturday, Sept. 6: Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m.-noon
-Saturday, Sept. 6: P.J. Hoffmaster State Park* (Muskegon), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 7: Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 7: Muskegon State Park* (Muskegon), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Saturday, Sept. 13: Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Saturday, Sept. 13: Saugatuck Dunes State Park* (Allegan), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 14: Ionia State Recreation Area* (Ionia), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 14: Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Saturday, Sept. 20: Belle Isle Park (Wayne), 9 a.m.-noon
-Saturday, Sept. 20: Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 21: Fort Custer Recreation Area* (Kalamazoo), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 21: Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Saturday, Sept. 27: Sterling State Park (Monroe), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Saturday, Sept. 27: Yankee Springs Recreation Area* (Barry), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 28: Algonac State Park (St. Clair), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 28: Warren Dunes State Park* (Berrien), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Volunteers should bring work gloves, drinking water and appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the DNR website or via email. Any questions should be directed to Laurel Malvitz-Draper (southeast Michigan) at 517-719-2285 or Heidi Frei (southwest Michigan) at 517-202-1360.
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