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Interlochen State Park
Interlochen State Park
Help shape future of Interlochen State Park – Michigan’s first state park
The DNR is in the process of developing a new general management plan for Interlochen State Park in Grand Traverse County. This year-long project, currently in its initial stages, is being facilitated by Ann Arbor-based consultants Beckett & Raeder, Inc. Public and stakeholder engagement will serve as a cornerstone of the planning process.
A park's general management plan defines a long-range (10- to 20-year) planning and management strategy to protect and preserve the site’s natural and cultural resources and provide access to land- and water-based public recreation and educational opportunities.
Public input
To help develop the draft plan, visitors, local community members, stakeholders and others interested in sharing their opinions, ideas and experiences are invited to participate in an online public survey. The survey is open through Feb. 22, 2026. Public input is essential to the park’s draft general management plan, ensuring the final vision reflects the community's insights and priorities.
The DNR will also host a public meeting in the summer of 2026, providing opportunities for people to review and provide comment on the new draft plan for the park.
About the park
Nestled between the shores of Duck and Green Lakes, Interlochen State Park offers both modern and rustic camping, boating, paddling, fishing, swimming and much more. The park was acquired by the state in 1917 and established as Michigan's first state park by the Michigan Legislature in 1919. Some of the large old-growth red and white pine trees, for which the park was originally protected, remain throughout the park. The world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts is located just across the northern boundary, offering a year-round calendar of concerts and events.
Contact
For more information, contact Debbie Jensen, park management plan administrator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, at JensenD1@Michigan.gov.