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Donate to Michigan state parks

bird's eye view of Lake Michigan beach, beach house and parking lot

Donate to Michigan state parks

Charitable gifts from friends and partners help support our parks, trails and waterways. Below you will find information on how to give a donation to Michigan's state park and recreation system.

The $2 Difference

A little boost for state parks and harbors goes a long way! Thanks to the kindness of thousands of campers and boaters who gave an additional $2 when making their camping or boating reservation, we have rolled out a number of new and enhanced amenities.

Look for this sticker (starting this spring) to find those amenities funded by The $2 Difference. 

  • Accessible beach walkway at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area and accessible kayak launch and sunshade at Lake Hudson Recreation Area.
  • Dishwashing stations at 20 state parks.
  • Fishing line recycling tubes at many boating access sites.
  • Hammock stands and campsites.
  • Interpretive signage at Tahquamenon Falls and Fort Wilkins Historic state parks.
  • Lighted trail equipment for winter events at Seven Lakes State Park and Ionia Recreation and Highland recreation areas.
  • New harbor amenities, including laundry facilities, fire rings with seating and lawn games.
  • Solar lights inside rustic vault toilets.
  • Track chairs at North Higgins Lake, South Higgins (with matching donation from Safari Club), Warren Dunes and Wilderness state parks.

Coming soon!

  • Interpretive natural play spaces at Hartwick Pines and Hayes state parks.
  • Improved on-site signage.
  • Synthetic ice rink at Dodge #4 State Park and synthetic curling sheets at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area.
We're eager to hear your ideas on how we could spend these funds on future amenities. Share your ideas!
 
Blue circle with text "you made this happen with your reservation donation"

More ways to give

To plan any other type of gift, whether by mail, donor assisted fund or planned giving, or if you have any additional questions, please contact our fund development officer:

Michelle O'Kelly, fund development officer
Email: OKellyM1@Michigan.gov
Phone: 517-899-5211

This information may be needed to donate with a donor assisted fund or planned giving:

Legal Name: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Federal Tax ID Number: 38-6000134

To send a gift by mail, send check to:
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Cashier’s Office
P.O. Box 30451
Lansing, MI 48909

Memorial tree plantings

We get a lot of questions about donating a tree to plant in memory of a loved one. Unfortunately, because tree-planting needs vary from park to park and are based on a wide variety of factors, we are not able to dedicate individual memorial trees.