Use of State Land for Events

Fill out an event use permit application. DNR staff will review your application and give it a “level of use score” depending on the impact it will have on staff and the facility where the event will take place.

To reserve a shelter, visit MIDNRReservations.com. If the shelter is not reservable, please contact the facility where the shelter is located. If the shelter rental is part of a larger event, and goes beyond typical shelter use (such as a bounce house), a use permit from the facility may be necessary.

Public events

The sale or furnishing of alcoholic beverages at public events is prohibited unless a special liquor license from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission has been secured, as well as the required event use permit.

Private events

For private events at a shelter on DNR-managed lands with a prohibition on alcohol, an alcohol permit for shelter rentals can be issued to the occupant of a reservable department shelter. If the event will expand beyond the shelter, an event use permit will be utilized in place of this form.

Wheeled motorized activity notification

Groups whose activities take place on DNR-managed public lands and require a participation fee or donation, and/or involve 20 or more people, are required to notify the department using the wheeled motorized vehicle activity notification form. This notification is only required for groups with wheeled vehicles (i.e. NOT snowmobiles). The information provided in this form helps DNR staff determine if a land use permit is needed.

Land use permit

Some groups may also need a land use permit. Please review the criteria for when a land use permit may be needed. If you know that your event meets one of the criteria, you may fill out an event use permit application and submit it to the appropriate trails specialist in place of the wheeled motorized vehicle activity notification form.

The department retains the right to deny use of specific areas or sections of trail, or to modify any request, to reduce user conflicts or resource impacts including instances where a permit may not be required.

Fill out a marine event application. An event use permit may also be needed if using state land to access the waterbody. Please contact the facility where the event will occur for more information.

In addition to registering a tournament on the Michigan Fishing Tournament Information System, tournaments using DNR-managed boating access sites may also be required to apply for an event use permit. Please review the criteria for when a fishing tournament may need an event or other use permit. Please contact the facility where the event will occur for questions about whether or not a permit is needed.

If you know your event meets one of the criteria and that it is being held at a DNR managed boating access site, please fill out an event use permit application and submit it to the unit manager.