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Concessions

small building with rentals signs and kayaks

Concessions

Business opportunities in state parks, trails and waterways

We partner with small businesses to help expand visitor services and experiences throughout the state parks and recreation system, 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're seeking partners who are just as passionate about the outdoors as we are. Therefore, we're seeking 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, and welcome new business ideas outside what's always been done.


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 & other info
Muskallonge Lake State Park mobile food concession Invitation to bid No bids received, open for proposals.

Muskallonge Lake - invitation to bid

View Muskallonge Lake State Park in RecSearch

Van Riper State Park beach concession Invitation to bid No bids received, open for proposals.

Van Riper beach concession - invitation to bid

View Van Riper State Park in RecSearch

Wilson State Park mobile food Invitation to bid No bids received, open for proposals.

Wilson water - invitation to bid

View Wilson State Park in RecSearch

Existing concessions

Use the map to find information on existing concessions at Michigan state parks, recreation areas and harbors. Just click the location on the map and you'll find concession type, year of contact and more.

View current concessions map »

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 staff contact info for each state park, state forest campground, harbor and boating access site, please use this interactive map.

screenshot of state parks concessions map in mobile and desktop views

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.