In the calm moments of a winter night, serene silence offers a moment to rest and reflect.
For many Michigan hunters, sharing their cherished hunting stories is a time-honored tradition. These stories can be passed down through generations or shared with friends, but it can be difficult to pick just 'one' hunting story to tell.
The day after Thanksgiving is usually devoted recovering form the big feast, watching college football or hunting for the best Black Friday shopping deals. This year, #OptOutside with the DNR! Friday, Nov. 29, the DNR will waive the regular Recreation Passport vehicle entry fee to Michigan's 103 state parks and recreation areas, 138 state forest campgrounds, and state trailheads and boat launches. If you're been itching to get outside, this is the perfect day to explore Michigan's natural resources.
People might not think immediately of Michigan's conservation officers as being on the front lines in the fight against wildlife diseases, but they are vitally important in helping to control disease threats, including bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease.
Michigan's outdoors aren't always accessible for all people to enjoy. Thanks to groups like the Bays de Noc Gobblers, that is starting to change. Their mobile accessible hunting trailers are designed to get people with disabilities out hunting and into the outdoors.
As the Iron Belle Trail - a roughly 2,000-mile signature trail system developed with the help of partners, collaborators and trail champions - continues to grow, so does opportunity to enjoy Michigan's beautiful outdoors.
Deer movement is key to the spread of chronic wasting disease. To better understand how this disease may be disseminated by deer, the DNR has been conducting deer movement studies in CWD-affected areas in the Upper and Lower peninsulas.
Once one of the Upper Peninsula's best-kept secrets, Tahquamenon Falls is now part of Michigan's second-largest state park. Its history is expansive and varied, and it was a long journey from its initial use by Native Americans to its creation as Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
The DNR fire team does more than just fight fires - they lend some of their much-needed talents to protecting property and Michigan's natural resources and saving the lives of both people and wildlife.
Despite a decline in Michigan hunters in recent years, recreational safety programs like hunter education are in demand. These programs, coordinated by the DNR, include classes taught by more than 2,800 volunteer hunter safety instructors.
The weather may be cooling down, but fall recreation opportunities are just heating up!
Every Thursday night, residents have the chance to interact with the DNR from the comfort of their own homes during “Ask the DNR.” For 60 minutes, DNR wildlife and fisheries biologists, conservation officers, trails specialists and others answer questions from viewers on the air.
Years ago, most people wouldn’t give a moment’s thought to tossing an armload of firewood into the trunk before heading out on a weekend getaway. But nowadays, that bundle of wood from home might create an issue if your destination is a park or campground.
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is a great place to hunt, fish or view wildlife, but it's also the site of one of the largest freshwater marsh restoration projects in North America. This project has helped restore much-needed habitat for the benefit of wildlife.
Accessible features in state parks and recreation areas benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities. Take a peek at the DNR's efforts to make parks and recreation areas fun and exciting for all visitors.
As the Great Lakes State, Michigan has always relied on the water for recreation and business. This legacy can be seen even under the surface, where the cold, clear waters of these inland seas offer a peek into Michigan's maritime history.
Baraga State Park has a long history in the UP. Named for Father Baraga, the "Snowshoe Priest," the park became the first mainland state park in the UP and today serves as a summertime gateway to a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
The DNR Pocket Park is the perfect place to introduce kids to all the recreational opportunities in Michigan. With the Pocket Park Fair coming up, visitors will get the chance to experience even more -- like live hawk and owl exhibits, Michigan reptile presentations and even a Native American education demonstration.
With a patrol boat for an office and a dedication to protecting Michigan's waters, the Great Lakes Enforcement Unit is uniquely poised to ensure the Great Lakes continue to provide lifechanging recreational opportunities for future generations.
History is made every day, and that history is told through commonplace items; the Michigan History Museum's new "Secret Lives of Michigan Objects" exhibit explores how everyday things can become extraordinary artifacts.
Fayette Historic State Parks gives visitors a chance to take a step back in time to when a late 19th-century iron-smelting community once thrived along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Pigeon River Country, celebrating its centennial this year, remains an extraordinary outdoor treasure thanks to the passion, work and stewardship decisions made by many people over the decades.
For 100 years, state parks have been known as some of the best places to experience Michigan's lakes and rivers. Now, they're offering even more ways to enjoy the water.
Indian Lake State Park and Palms Book State Park offer more than just gorgous scenery. They're great places to picknic, camp, stargaze and more!
Sometimes the best gift to give is time spent together.
Mackinac Island offers a glimpse into a bygone era where the rumble of car engines is absent and horses are a main mode of transportation.
In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps came to Michigan and changed the landscape forever. Today, a museum stands as a testament to this "tree army."
Automobiles were a driving force behind the initial success of Michigan's state parks, and today support our expanded park system through the Recreation Passport.
In the bucolic countryside, a sign of spring inspires wonder, thought and a moment of respite from the speed of modern life.
The DNR manages more than herds of elk and stands of pine - we protect Michigan's cultural resources, too.
New Zealand mudsnails have been found in five rivers in Michigan - and anglers can help stop the spread.
The burgeoning automobile industry drove development of Michigan’s state park system in the first half of the 20th century.
It’s the responsibility of a conservation officer to protect and to preserve Michigan's natural resources for future generations. The public can help by reporting suspected poaching.
DNR land surveyors mark as many as 1,000 boundary corners in a year on 4 million acres of state forest land.
With the growing popularity of birdwatching – more than 45 million Americans enjoy the pastime – birding trails are developing around the state.
Exploring the rugged, peaceful beauty and fascinating history of Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County.
Recently, DNR Director Dan Eichinger and the chiefs of each DNR division laid out their priorities for 2019.
Reflections on the quiet of a late winter’s night in the northern Michigan outdoors.
Oak trees face a threat from a disease known as oak wilt, caused by a fungus with microscopic spores that can infect and kill a red oak within weeks. Some simple actions can help keep healthy trees from being infected.
Two of Michigan's first state parks were Interlochen, the first park established under the Michigan State Park Commission and the first in the state park system today managed by the DNR, and Mackinac Island, established under the Mackinac Island State Park Commission 25 years earlier.
The multi-agency Buffalo Reef Task Force is moving forward on several fronts in its efforts to protect the underwater natural reef off the Keweenaw Peninsula from being smothered by migrating copper mine tailings.
Michigan DNR's 21st director and the youngest ever to hold the post, Dan Eichinger grew up hunting and fishing, and his lineage is steeped in natural resources conservation advocacy and appreciation.
DNR conservation officers were working under extreme conditions over eight days of intense winter weather, which ranged from wind chills approaching 40 degrees below zero to blizzard conditions that forced the closure of a section of more than one of the Upper Peninsula’s major highways.
Michigan celebrates its 182nd birthday on Jan. 26. Learn more about Michigan's state symbols, statehood and other fun facts about the Great Lakes State.
On May 12, 1919, the Michigan Legislature established the Michigan State Park Commission to oversee, acquire and maintain public lands for state parks. To commemorate this historic milestone, the DNR will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Michigan state parks throughout 2019.
Even mildly cold environments can lead to hypothermia. Symptoms of exposure can be avoided by wearing proper clothing and layering. Get some tips on preparing for outdoor winter activities.
After two years of mapping and reviewing the condition of state forest roads maintained by the DNR across both peninsulas, an initial inventory that provides a snapshot of the road network is complete, along with interactive maps showing where off-road vehicle use is allowed.
