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Managing the state parks system
Managing the state parks system
Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas – spanning 300,000 acres – offer a diverse landscape and unparalleled recreation opportunities. These public lands are essential to Michigan's well-being and serve as a cornerstone of our state's environment and economy.
- 103 state parks and recreation areas (with a new state park in Flint underway).
- 140 state forest campgrounds.
- 360,000 acres of land within state parks and recreation areas.
- More than 13,750 state park campsites and 250 cabins, yurts, lodges and other overnight accommodations.
- 38 million visitors a year (average based on 2023 data).
- Endless fun and recreation possibilities at our day-use facilities.
Funding Michigan's state parks
Approximately 97% of state parks funding for operations and maintenance is generated by user fees and royalty revenues. This includes:
- Camping and lodging reservation fees (48%).
- Recreation Passport sales (29%).
- State-owned, oil, gas and mineral royalty revenues – which feed the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund (11%).
- Concessions, shelter reservations, cash interest earnings and miscellaneous sources (9%).
Michigan's General Fund tax dollars provide the remaining 3% of state parks funding.
Park management planning
A park's general management plan defines a long-range (10- to 20-year) planning and management strategy to protect and preserve the site's natural and cultural resources and provide access to land- and water-based public recreation and educational opportunities.
Developing a park general management plan requires logic, teamwork, public involvement and integrity. The plan should ultimately reflect a logical sequence of events and help guide decision making in a carefully considered way. The key to this process is active involvement of DNR staff, other state agencies, stakeholders (such as other recreation providers and user groups) and the public. Public input is an integral part of the development these plans.
Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee
The Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee is a citizens’ advisory committee to the NRC and the DNR. This diverse panel of individuals ensures that the public has a voice in the operations, planning and development of Michigan's premier state park system.