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October 16, 2025
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to provide input on the development of a new general management plan for Rockport Recreation Area, located near Alpena in northeast Lower Michigan. The plan will serve as a long-term roadmap for the park's future development, continued use and resource protection.
The DNR uses general management plans to define a long-range planning and management strategy that protects a park's natural and cultural resources, while also addressing recreation and educational needs and opportunities.
The new general management plan will replace the 2008 Phase 1 and 2010 Phase 2 general management plans, which were part of a regional strategy that included Negwegon and Thompson’s Harbor state parks. This initial effort established Rockport as the central "hub," allowing it to accommodate greater development and visitation while keeping the other two parks in a relatively natural state. This approach stemmed from the 2007 Northeast Michigan Integrated Assessment, which aimed to create a sustainable future through tourism and economic development.
The new plan will be informed by the recommendations in the 2024 development plan and the additional community input gathered throughout that process.
Rockport State Recreation Area covers 4,237 acres and 5.9 miles of Lake Huron shoreline, offering unique cultural and natural resources, including 17 different natural communities. Visitors can explore geologic formations from former quarry operations, natural sinkholes and a variety of trails. The park also features a deep-water port and boating access site, popular for fishing and scuba diving. The park is home to a dark sky preserve and the Besser Natural Area, which helps protects rare plants and old-growth pine.
Visitors, community members, stakeholders and others interested in sharing their opinions, ideas and experiences are encouraged to participate in an online survey, available through Nov. 21. Links to both the online survey and the project website are available at Michigan.gov/Rockport.
“Public input is a critical component of park planning, and the new draft general management plan will be developed in response to the valuable information learned during this process," said Debbie Jensen, DNR park management plan administrator. "The DNR will also hold a public meeting next summer that will provide opportunities for people to review and provide comment on the new draft plan for the park."
Additional information on the DNR’s general management planning process is available at Michigan.gov/ParkManagementPlans. For more about the public survey or planning process, contact Matt Lincoln at LincolnM@Michigan.gov or 517-881-3492.
Accompanying photos taken at Rockport Recreation Area are available below for download.
Learn more about the Michigan state parks photo ambassador program.
