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Concessions
Concessions
Business opportunities in state parks, trails and waterways
We partner with small businesses to help expand visitor services, such as concessions, restaurants, gift shops, rental outfitters, water park operators, guide services and more. These opportunities are available through a competitive bidding process with the ability to enter into a contract for up to seven years.
As stewards of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources, we seek bidders who understand that every point of customer contact is an opportunity to educate and inspire and/or commit to employing best stewardship practices. For example, using compostable flatware or recycled products, using environmentally friendly cleaning products or collaborating with indigenous communities and local artists to sell retail products that tell the story of that place.
We also work with small businesses that provide camping unit and RV rentals and guide services.
Interested in future opportunities?
Sign up to receive a text and/or email when future business opportunities arise in your selected region(s).
Location | Type of concession | Request type | Submission deadline | Bid packet and other info |
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State forest campgrounds near Interlochen | Firewood vendor | Invitation to bid | No bids received, open to proposals | Download State Forest Campground Firewood bid package |
EV charging stations | Install, commission/decommission, operate, manage, and maintain a quantity of both Level 2 and 3 EV charging stations on DNR properties. | Invitation to bid | June 25, 2025 at 2 p.m. | Download EV charging infrastructure installation, management and maintenance bid request |
Algonac State Park | Mobile food - reduced rate of 8% of gross | Invitation to bid | No bids received, open to proposals | Download UPDATED Algonac mobile food bid package |
Dodge #4 State Park | Concession services, including watercraft rental, mobile food, mobile sauna and vending machines | Invitation to bid | June 4, 2025 at 2 p.m. | Download NEW Dodge #4 concession services concession bid package |
Hoffmaster State Park | Vending machines | Invitation to bid | No bids received, open to proposals |
Download Hoffmaster vending machines bid package |
Muskallonge Lake State Park | Mobile food concession | Invitation to bid | No bids received, open to proposals | Download Muskallonge Lake mobile food concession bid package |
Waterloo Recreation Area | Horseback riding stable | Invitation to bid | No bids received, open to proposals | Download Waterloo horse stable bid package |
Other business options
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Firewood sales
To ensure responsible practices, only contracted vendors are permitted to sell firewood, and all firewood must meet DNR specifications. There are three ways to apply for a firewood sales contract in Michigan state parks:"
- Firewood sales are included as part of a contract, such as a park store or beach concession. Contracts are bid out and awarded based on selection criteria. Bid packages are listed on this page.
- Firewood sales are bid out and awarded as a separate, stand-alone concession service in an individual park or recreation area. If interested in this type of service, please “register for future opportunities” and you’ll be notified when a bid is posted.
- Firewood contracts are bid out and awarded by procurement. For this method, the DNR purchases firewood from the vendor and then resells it to visitors. These contracts are awarded for specific parks, specific regions and/or statewide services. You can register as a bidder for this type of contract.
If you have questions, please contact Brooke Jones.
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Merchandise sales in state parks
The DNR doesn't typically buy merchandise for resale in state parks. Instead, the DNR awards contracts to outside partners, known as concessionaires, who manage concession services. Concessionaires make their own purchasing for goods sold in state parks.
If you'd like to provide wholesale product information and pricing to concessionaires, please email a brochure (PDF format) or a weblink that includes your contact information, product details and wholesale pricing to GreenL9@Michigan.gov. We'll then forward your product information to relevant concessionaires.
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Sell online via These Goods are Good for Michigan
Another opportunity to sell merchandise is through the innovative These Goods are Good for Michigan program. This partnership allows you to sell your Michigan-based products online, with a portion of sales helping to fund state parks, trails and waterways.
To participate, contact Maia Turek at 989-225-8573 or TurekM@Michigan.gov.
Find existing concessions
Our interactive map is a great way to find information on existing concessions across the parks and recreation system. Simply click on a location to discover details like the concession type, contract year and more.
View interactive concessions map »
View current concessions in a PDF list view »
This application contains a complex map. Please contact Lori Green if you need assistance reading the map or need the information in an alternative format.
Find staff contact
To find the commercial use permit staff contact info for each location, use the interactive contact map.
Appeals
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Submitting appeals
Qualified bidders have 10 days from the date that the successful bidder is identified in which to submit an appeal. Before submitting an appeal, it's important to assess whether or not you, as the qualified bidder, has grounds for an appeal. An appeal may only be submitted by a qualifying bidder for any of the following criteria:
- Information required by the DNR for scoring the bid was not specifically identified in the invitation to bid.
- Different scoring values were used than those identified in the invitation to bid.
- Errors in the application of the appropriate score value.
- Errors in arithmetic.
If you wish to initiate an appeal, you must submit your written appeal to HuntN1@Michigan.gov no later than 3 p.m. EST, 10 business days after posting the Notice of Recommendation for Award, or by 3 p.m. EST the next business day if that date falls on a state holiday or weekend. Reviews will be handled by the DNR's Procurement Services Section.