DNR - Winter Activities

Splash

Cold play!

Don't worry if you're not an avid winter warrior; we have plenty of ideas for things to do.
Sign up for Winter Wednesday text tips »

Winter Tips

Rentals, Gear & Guides »
Winter in Michigan brings a whole new way to play. Check out some of the ways you can rent gear or try new adventures, and see how much you like it.

Gear up for winter »
The foundation of every cold-weather adventure is the right clothing, and staying warm and dry takes planning. Follow these basic tips to play – and stay – outside!

Winter Wednesday Tips »
Sign up for Winter Wednesday: Text tips that will be sent once a week mid-December through February. Each week, we'll feature a different winter destination, safety tip, recreation option or idea for gearing up to get outside.

Events

Upcoming Events

Jan 01 Maybury State Park - First Day Hike
Kick off your 2022 resolution for increased health activity by joining a group hike at Maybury State Park on New Year's Day.
Jan 01 Yankee Springs Recreation Area - Chief Noonday First Day Hike
Join members of the Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Association as they celebrate the new year with a hike on the North Country Trail.
Jan 01 Saugatuck Dunes State Park - First Day Hike
Join the Radar Hill Hiking Club for a First Day Hike.
Jan 01 Island Lake Recreation Area - First Day Hike
Meet at the Kent Lake Beach parking lot for this New Year's Day adventure.
Jan 07 Mitchell State Park - Jan. 7, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Jan 07 Blueberry Ridge Pathway - Lantern Lit Ski and Snowshoe
For one night only, we will be shutting off the lights on the Lighted Loop and lighting the trail with kerosene lanterns.
Jan 08 Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center - Ice Fishing for Beginners
Focusing on techniques for pan fish, walleye and pike, this class will go through how Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staffers, Pure Fishing pros and others spend their day chasing fish through the ice.
Jan 08 Hartwick Pines State Park - Guided Snowshoe Hikes
Guided snowshoe hikes into the old growth forest are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pre-registration required.
Jan 08 Ludington State Park - Jan. 8, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests.
Jan 08 Ludington State Park - Jan. 8, Lantern-Lit Ski and Snowshoe
Enjoy the crisp winter air with a self-guided snowshoe hike or cross-country ski along a one mile loop of trail lit by kerosene lanterns.
Jan 14 Proud Lake Recreation Area - Lantern Lit Hike
Come take a lantern lit hike around the Marsh Trail!
Jan 14 Mitchell State Park - Jan. 14, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Jan 15 Ludington State Park - Jan. 15, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests.
Jan 15 Ludington State Park - Jan. 15, Evening Guided Snowshoe Hikes
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests in the evening.
Jan 15 Hartwick Pines State Park - Full Moon Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy the view of the full moon and night sky while hiking approximately 2 miles through unbroken snow to the campground and back.
Jan 21 Mitchell State Park - Jan. 21, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Jan 21 Waterloo Recreation Area - Jan. 21, Lantern-lit Ski, Hike and Hot Cocoa Bar
Embrace a pure Michigan winter with a free lantern-lit trail adventure.
Jan 21 Canceled Van Riper State Park - Lantern Lit Snowshoe
This event has been canceled.
Jan 22 Virtual class - Feeding Winter Birds
Learn which birds are likely to visit your backyard, what feeds and feeders they prefer and more.
Jan 22 Hartwick Pines State Park - Guided Snowshoe Hikes
Guided snowshoe hikes into the old growth forest are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pre-registration required.
Jan 22 Mitchell State Park - Hard Water School (Ice Fishing Class), Jan. 22-23
This class will cover everything from how to set up equipment and how and where to fish to ice safety and rules and regulations. The main focus will be techniques for panfish, walleye and pike.
Jan 22 Hoffmaster State Park - Jan. 22, Winter Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a snowshoe hike in the beautiful wooded dunes of Hoffmaster State Park. Bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair from the visitor center.
Jan 22 Ludington State Park - Jan. 22, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests.
Jan 22 Waterloo Recreation Area - Over and Under the Snow Hike
So many animals survive winter by hiding under an insolating layer of snow. Find out where these adaptable critters stay warm and take a hike with a naturalist to find their hidden homes.
Jan 22 Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area - Candlelight Cross-Country Ski
Enjoy an evening of cross-country skiing on a groomed trail illuminated by candles.
Jan 22 Ludington State Park - Jan. 22, Lantern-Lit Ski and Snowshoe
Enjoy the crisp winter air with a self-guided snowshoe hike or cross-country ski along a one mile loop of trail lit by kerosene lanterns.
Jan 22 Orchard Beach State Park - Lantern-lit Hike
Enjoy a lantern-lit hike through Orchard Beach's Beech-Hemlock Nature loop (0.7 mile).
Jan 28 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Advanced Snowshoe Hike
Join us on a 2.5 mile guided hike through frozen forests to one of the mountains icy vista views
Jan 28 Proud Lake Recreation Area - Lantern Lit Hike
Come take a lantern lit hike around the Marsh Trail!
Jan 28 Mitchell State Park - Jan. 28, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Jan 29 Hoffmaster State Park - Jan. 29, Winter Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a snowshoe hike in the beautiful wooded dunes of Hoffmaster State Park. Bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair from the visitor center.
Jan 29 Ludington State Park - Jan. 29, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests.
Jan 29 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Beginner Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a guided 1-mile free snowshoe hike that explores the snowy forests around parts of the frozen shores of Lake Superior.
Jan 29 Hartwick Pines State Park - New Moon Lantern-Lit Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a 1.25-mile snowshoe hike through the lantern lit, old growth forest.
Jan 29 Ludington State Park - Jan. 29, Evening Guided Snowshoe Hikes
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests in the evening.
Jan 29 Fayette Historic State Park - Lantern-lit Trail
Enjoy a lantern-lit trail open to snowshoers, hikers and cross-country skiers.
Jan 29 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Lantern Lit Trail
Enjoy the Lake Superior Trail with the stars above and a snow covered trail below, lit by the flickering lights of kerosene lanterns.
Feb 04 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 4, Advanced Snowshoe Hike
Join us on a 2.5 mile guided hike through frozen forests to one of the mountains icy vista views
Feb 04 Mitchell State Park - Feb. 4, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Feb 04 Van Riper State Park - Lantern Lit Snowshoe
Join us for a 1.25 mile lantern lit snowshoe through the beautiful woods of Van Riper State Park.
Feb 05 FULL Hartwick Pines State Park - Snowshoe Building Workshop, Feb. 5-6
Instructors will give participants step-by-step instruction on how to lace the Modified Bear Paw style wooden-framed snowshoes (10 inches by 36 inches).
Feb 05 Mitchell State Park - Hard Water School (Ice Fishing Class), Feb. 5-6
This class will cover everything from how to set up equipment and how and where to fish to ice safety and rules and regulations. The main focus will be techniques for panfish, walleye and pike.
Feb 05 Hoffmaster State Park - Feb. 5, Winter Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a snowshoe hike in the beautiful wooded dunes of Hoffmaster State Park. Bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair from the visitor center.
Feb 05 Ludington State Park - Feb. 5, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests.
Feb 05 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 5, Beginner Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a guided 1-mile free snowshoe hike that explores the snowy forests around parts of the frozen shores of Lake Superior.
Feb 05 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 5, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Strap on your snowshoes (or borrow a pair of ours) and join the park naturalist for a free guided hike through the forest of the Upper Falls.
Feb 05 Sleeper State Park - Lantern-lit Trail
The Candlestick Trail will be lit after dusk for peaceful ski through the trail. No snow? No worries! The trail will be lit for all to enjoy whether it's for skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking.
Feb 05 Ludington State Park - Feb. 5, Lantern-Lit Ski and Snowshoe
Enjoy the crisp winter air with a self-guided snowshoe hike or cross-country ski along a one mile loop of trail lit by kerosene lanterns.
Feb 05 Maybury State Park - Winter Hike
Enjoy an evening hike under the stars.
Feb 05 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 5, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Trail
Enjoy snowshoeing a 1-mile trail lit by over 70 kerosene lanterns every Saturday in February.
Feb 05 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 5, Lantern Lit Trail
Enjoy the Lake Superior Trail with the stars above and a snow covered trail below, lit by the flickering lights of kerosene lanterns.
Feb 11 Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area - Candlelight Cross-Country Ski
Enjoy an evening of cross-country skiing on a groomed trail illuminated by candles.
Feb 11 Proud Lake Recreation Area - Lantern Lit Hike
Come take a lantern lit hike around the Marsh Trail!
Feb 11 Mitchell State Park - Feb. 11, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Feb 11 Waterloo Recreation Area - Feb. 11, Lantern-lit Ski and Hike
Embrace a pure Michigan winter with a free healthy, lantern-lit trail adventure.
Feb 12 Hoffmaster State Park - Feb. 12, Winter Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a snowshoe hike in the beautiful wooded dunes of Hoffmaster State Park. Bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair from the visitor center.
Feb 12 Ludington State Park - Feb. 12, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests.
Feb 12 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 12, Beginner Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a guided 1-mile free snowshoe hike that explores the snowy forests around parts of the frozen shores of Lake Superior.
Feb 12 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 12, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Strap on your snowshoes (or borrow a pair of ours) and join the park naturalist for a free guided hike through the forest of the Upper Falls.
Feb 12 Ludington State Park - Feb. 12, Evening Guided Snowshoe Hikes
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests in the evening.
Feb 12 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 12, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Trail
Enjoy snowshoeing a 1-mile trail lit by over 70 kerosene lanterns every Saturday in February.
Feb 12 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 12, Lantern Lit Trail
Enjoy the Lake Superior Trail with the stars above and a snow covered trail below, lit by the flickering lights of kerosene lanterns.
Feb 12 Hartwick Pines State Park - Full Moon Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy the view of the full moon and night sky while hiking approximately 2 miles through unbroken snow to the campground and back.
Feb 18 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 18, Advanced Snowshoe Hike
Join us on a 2.5 mile guided hike through frozen forests to one of the mountains icy vista views
Feb 18 Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center - Ski & Snowshoe Getaway Package
Explore up-north with our ski and snowshoe getaway package! Enjoy cozy and rustic lodging, experience the history of the area, and hit the trails at your own pace.
Feb 18 Mitchell State Park - Feb. 18, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Feb 19 Bay City State Park - Winter Festival
It's free fishing weekend! Bait and poles provided for fishing. Winter wildlife watching programs, live animal presentations, snowshoe hikes and more!
Feb 19 Seven Lakes State Park - Ice Fishing Derby
It is free fishing weekend, which means there are no fishing licenses required. and we are inviting families to join us for this fun ice fishing derby!
Feb 19 Hartwick Pines State Park - Guided Snowshoe Hikes
Guided snowshoe hikes into the old growth forest are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pre-registration required.
Feb 19 Yankee Springs Recreation Area - Gun Lake Winterfest
Join us for this fun winter festival on the beautiful shore of Gun Lake!
Feb 19 Hoffmaster State Park - Feb. 19, Winter Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a snowshoe hike in the beautiful wooded dunes of Hoffmaster State Park. Bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair from the visitor center.
Feb 19 Ludington State Park - Feb. 19, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a guided snowshoe hike through Ludington State Park's dunes and forests.
Feb 19 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 19, Beginner Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a guided 1-mile free snowshoe hike that explores the snowy forests around parts of the frozen shores of Lake Superior.
Feb 19 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 19, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Strap on your snowshoes (or borrow a pair of ours) and join the park naturalist for a free guided hike through the forest of the Upper Falls.
Feb 19 Ludington State Park - Feb. 19, Lantern-Lit Ski and Snowshoe
Enjoy the crisp winter air with a self-guided snowshoe hike or cross-country ski along a one mile loop of trail lit by kerosene lanterns.
Feb 19 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 19, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Trail
Enjoy snowshoeing a 1-mile trail lit by over 70 kerosene lanterns every Saturday in February.
Feb 19 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 19, Lantern Lit Trail
Enjoy the Lake Superior Trail with the stars above and a snow covered trail below, lit by the flickering lights of kerosene lanterns.
Feb 25 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 25, Advanced Snowshoe Hike
Join us on a 2.5 mile guided hike through frozen forests to one of the mountains icy vista views
Feb 25 Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center - Advanced Hard Water School (ice fishing class)
Learn to ice fish from the pros in this two-day class. Each student will pick a topic of interest and will be assigned a pro fisherman from Team USA, HT Enterprises, Clam Outdoors, Vexilar or Ice Force.
Feb 25 Proud Lake Recreation Area - Lantern Lit Hike
Come take a lantern lit hike around the Marsh Trail!
Feb 25 Mitchell State Park - Feb. 25, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
This winter enjoy a lantern-lit snowshoe hike along a portion of the Heritage Nature Trail. The short hike, about 1 mile, will have a campfire warming station and hot cocoa.
Feb 26 Hoffmaster State Park - Feb. 26, Winter Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a snowshoe hike in the beautiful wooded dunes of Hoffmaster State Park. Bring your own snowshoes or reserve a pair from the visitor center.
Feb 26 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 26, Beginner Snowshoe Hike
Join us for a guided 1-mile free snowshoe hike that explores the snowy forests around parts of the frozen shores of Lake Superior.
Feb 26 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 26, Guided Snowshoe Hike
Strap on your snowshoes (or borrow a pair of ours) and join the park naturalist for a free guided hike through the forest of the Upper Falls.
Feb 26 Hartwick Pines State Park - New Moon Lantern-Lit Snowshoe Hike
Enjoy a 1.25-mile snowshoe hike through the lantern lit, old growth forest.
Feb 26 Orchard Beach State Park - Lantern-lit Hike
Enjoy a lantern-lit hike through Orchard Beach's Beech-Hemlock Nature loop (0.7 mile).
Feb 26 Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Feb. 26, Lantern-lit Snowshoe Trail
Enjoy snowshoeing a 1-mile trail lit by over 70 kerosene lanterns every Saturday in February.
Feb 26 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Feb. 26, Lantern Lit Trail
Enjoy the Lake Superior Trail with the stars above and a snow covered trail below, lit by the flickering lights of kerosene lanterns.
Mar 05 FULL Hartwick Pines State Park - Snowshoe Building Workshop, March 5-6
Instructors will give participants step-by-step instruction on how to lace the Ojibwe style wooden-framed snowshoes (11 inches by 45 inches).
Mar 05 Mitchell State Park - Hard Water School (Ice Fishing Class), March 5-6
This class will cover everything from how to set up equipment and how and where to fish to ice safety and rules and regulations. The main focus will be techniques for panfish, walleye and pike.
Mar 11 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Ice Fishing on Lake Gogebic
Join Outdoor Skills Academy pro-staff as we take you through the process of locating and hooking into Lake Gogebic's elusive perch.
Mar 19 Maybury State Park - Full Moon Hike
Enjoy an evening hike and listen for the calls of the wildlife as the spring creatures return to the park.
Mar 26 Orchard Beach State Park - Lantern-lit Hike
Enjoy a lantern-lit hike through Orchard Beach's Beech-Hemlock Nature loop (0.7 mile).