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Park programs and amenities

Costume and pumpkin Contest winners

Park programs and amenities

A trail with steps lit up at night with colorful lights

Event calendar

Check our event calendar to find what is happening at a park near you. On the calendar you will find events such as Halloween festivals, lantern lit hikes, outdoor skills classes and more.

Explore events

A campsite decorated for Halloween and lit up with orange and purple lights at night

Harvests and Haunts

Many parks hold fun fall and Halloween events. Some are only for registered campers, so book early as these dates fill quickly!

Park staff talks to a couple of visitors showing them something in his hand

Nature programs

Many of our parks offer seasonal outdoor education programs. Schedules will also be posted in the parks.

The Milky Way showing in the dark night sky reflecting over a lake

Dark Sky

Go stargazing at a dark sky preserve or join us for Meteors n S'mores during the Perseid meteor shower.

A group of people led by a park interpreter learn how to backpack in the Porkies

Outdoor Skills Academy

Hands-on learning for a range of outdoor activities, from hunting and fishing to hiking, birding and much more.

T-Shirt, medal and bib with Bob Ross-inspired design

Registration for the 2026 Happy Little 5K now open

Ready to run (or walk, or roll) for the trees?

This virtual event, which takes place between April 18-26, 2026, honors iconic art instructor and television host Bob Ross while supporting tree-planting and forest-protection efforts. Registration for this event, which is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Bob Ross Inc. and 15 other states, supports tree-planting and forest health in state parks!

  • Pick your pace and place, anywhere outdoors during the nine-day window that includes both Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 24).
  • Registration fee is $36 per person (and includes shipping). You'll be able to select the state of your choice when you register.
  • You'll receive a keepsake T-shirt, sticker, commemorative bib and finisher’s medal.

Participation grew again last year – more than 10,000 people, in Michigan and across a dozen other states, participated in the 2025 event. The 2025 event raised more than $200,000 for tree-planting and forest health, with each state receiving funds proportional to its participation.

Sign up for 5K »

Giving a 5K registration as a gift? Download your printable gift certificate.