Looking for a holiday gift idea for that recreation, boating or outdoor enthusiast on your gift list? The Department of Natural Resources today reminds holiday shoppers that the 2009 state park motor vehicle permits and boating access site permits will be available for purchase beginning Monday, Dec. 1.

Michigan state park gift certificates, in increments of $25, are also available throughout the year and can be redeemed toward a permit, camping fees or other state park or recreation area purchases.

"Most Michigan residents are located within a one hour drive of a state park, recreation area or boating access site. The permits provide Michigan residents, and non-residents, access to 98 Michigan state parks or recreation areas and over 800 access sites located statewide," said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation chief. "Giving a motor vehicle permit, a boating access site permit, or a gift certificate is giving the gift of outdoors, and it also helps support our state park system."

Gift certificates and permits can be purchased year round through the Michigan e-store at www.michigan.gov/estore, or by calling 517-373-9900.

Rates for 2009 permits will remain the same. Motor vehicle entrance permits are $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8. Resident annual senior discount permits are $6 and can only be purchased in person at a state park or recreation area, or at the main office in downtown Lansing, and will require a valid driver's license and vehicle registration.

Boating access site permits are $24 for an annual permit, or $6 for a daily permit, for both residents and non-residents. Boating access site permits are also available at fee sites. For a list of boating access sites that require a permit, visit the Boating Section on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr, or visit www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS for all boating access sites throughout the state.

Please contact a state park or recreation area near you to determine their hours and availability. Information about state parks or recreation areas, boating access sites, winter camping opportunities, events or accessibility, are available on the DNR's Web site, under the Recreation and Camping or Boating section, or by contacting the Lansing Office at 517-373-9900 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired).