State parks - general rules

State parks and recreation area day-use hours are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Only registered campers are allowed in the campgrounds after 10 p.m. except for specified events.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds and scenic sites, as well as DNR-managed boating access sites, state forest campgrounds and designated trailhead parking.

Learn about the Recreation Passport »

Alcohol possession is limited or prohibited at certain state parks and boating access sites.

Find list of locations with alcohol restrictions »

Pets, such as dogs, are welcome in state parks and campgrounds, some overnight lodging facilities, state forest campgrounds, state-managed harbors, state-designated trails and boating access sites (with the exception of 33 locations with seasonal dog restrictions). However, to protect local ecosystems and visitor safety, they are restricted from park buildings, toilet and shower buildings, designated swim beaches, endangered species habitats and other posted areas. Service animals are exempt from building restrictions.

All pets must remain under immediate control at all times and on a leash not more than 6 foot in length. Leash laws do not apply on state park lands if the dog is being used for hunting, field trials or while being trained for hunting purposes on land open to such use.

Animals cannot be left unattended anywhere in the park, including inside vehicles, campers or at campsites.

To ensure a pleasant experience for everyone, camp permits may be revoked or guests required to remove pets that bark excessively or cause a nuisance.

Guests should remove any fecal material resulting from a dog or other animal and dispose of it properly.

Find our pet-friendly guide »

Yes, you may fish at state parks and recreation areas in areas lawfully open to fishing. You must purchase a fishing license if you are 17 years of age or older to fish. If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. Any adult actively assisting a minor must have a fishing license. Please note, a license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles.

Learn about fishing license requirements »

Buy your fishing license online, buy a fishing license at a retailer or download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchase through the app.

All state recreation areas are open to hunting unless designated closed. All state parks are closed to hunting unless designated open. 

Find state parks and recreation areas where hunting is allowed »

Visitors with mobility impairments may use wheelchairs, including electric wheelchairs in all public areas open to pedestrians. Other power-driven mobility devices (known as OPDMDs) are allowed in areas open to pedestrians and while operated at walking speed according to the criteria found on the DNR's power-driven mobility page.

Golf carts (unless street legal), electric skateboards, scooters, one-wheel skateboards and other unlicensed wheeled motorized devices are prohibited on park roads and in parking lots unless the person has a mobility impairment. This prohibition does not apply to e-bikes.

You can ride Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on all roads where a bicycle can be ridden.

A class 1 e-bike may be operated on trails that allow bicycles; if a cyclist has a DNR-issued permit (no cost) for mobility issues, Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on all trails open to bicycles.

Find all e-bike info and guidance »

A permit is required for any event held on DNR-managed land that involves 20 or more participants or requires a fee/donation for entry, including weddings, 5K races and festivals.

Review event types and requirements »

Any business or individual conducting commercial operations on state-managed lands, including state parks, trails and boat access sites, must secure an official permit.

All research activities within state parks, recreation areas, boating access sites and rail trails are required to have a use permit. Most research projects require no fees, bonding or insurance, but will require submittal of a report at the conclusion of the project in place of monetary payment.

How to obtain a land use permit for research »

While metal detecting is not allowed at designated historic and archaeological sites, it's allowed in areas specifically designated as open to metal detecting. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation.

Find more info on metal detecting »

Recreational gold panning is allowed on state-owned land, provided the state holds both surface and mineral rights. Amateur panners must obtain a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and adhere to annual extraction limits. Please note that power sluicing is strictly prohibited.

Find gold panning guidance and maps »

All state park day-use areas feature restroom facilities, ranging from modern restrooms to vault toilets. Vehicle entry requires a Recreation Passport for access, but visitors arriving on foot or by nonmotorized bicycle can enter and use the facilities free of charge

Fireworks such as Roman candles and bottle rockets are prohibited in Michigan state parks at all times; however, smaller novelty fireworks such as party poppers, snappers/drop pops, snakes, smoke bombs, sparklers and ground spinners are still permitted.

Cremains may be scattered in state parks, recreation areas and boating access sites under the following conditions:

• The scattering of cremains should be a small private affair, held away from high visitor-use areas.
• Ashes may only be distributed in undeveloped areas limited to those areas at least 50 feet outside of the mowed portions of developed picnic areas, swimming beaches, parking lots, boat launches, children’s playground structures and campgrounds.
• Ashes must be fully refined with no detectable remains and shall not be distinguishable to the general public.
• Scattering must result in complete dispersal of ashes. Cremains may not be piled in one location or buried.
• No urns, vessels or containers may be left on PRD lands.

Find all state land rules associated with state parks and recreation areas.