The following rules, regulations and policies were put in place to enhance safety, create a welcoming environment and protect these outdoor spaces for future generations.
You can search the information on this page by typing keywords into the search box below. You will get more accurate results by using ONLY KEYWORDS such as "reservation" or "hours" instead of phrases or sentences.
Park hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Only registered campers are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. with the exception of occasional events.
A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, DNR-managed boating access sites (boat launches), state forest campgrounds and parking at state trailheads.
Alcohol possession and use is limited or prohibited at certain state parks and boating access sites. See the full list of alcohol restrictions.
Pets are welcome on a 6-foot leash in state parks, campgrounds, some state park cabins, state forest campgrounds, non-designated bathing beach areas, most harbors, the majority of trails and many boat launches. Learn about pet-friendly recreation and rules.
Many parks and recreation areas have access to fishing. With the exception of Free Fishing Weekends, if you are over the age of 17 you are required to have a license to fish. Buy your fishing license online, buy a fishing license at a retailer, or download the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchase through the app.
All state recreation areas are open to hunting unless designated closed. All state parks are closed to hunting unless designated open. Find a list of parks and recreation areas where hunting is allowed.
Some events on public lands, such as weddings, 5K races, festivals, tournaments, require a permit. Learn about the types of events and requirements.
Businesses and individuals using public-owned lands, such as state parks, trails and boat access sites, for commercial operations must obtain a permit.
All research activities within state parks, recreation areas, boating access sites and rail trails are required to have a use permit. Most research projects will require no fees, bonding or insurance, but will require submittal of a report at the conclusion of the project in place of monetary payment. Learn how to obtain a land use permit for research.
Metal detecting is allowed in designated parks when it is conducted in ways that do not damage the resources or violate state laws. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation. See a list of parks where metal detecting is allowed.
Fireworks are not permitted.
Check-in for harbor arrival starts at 1 p.m., and checkout is by 11 a.m. Extensions will be granted at the discretion of the harbormaster.
Boaters must check in upon arrival at the harbor office.
Quiet time is all the time. Noise levels must be controlled
Fishing is not allowed in the harbor unless otherwise posted. It's illegal to dispose of fish or animal waste in the waters of the State of Michigan. Fish cleaning is not allowed at the harbor unless a fish cleaning station is provided.
For safety reasons, bike riding is not allowed on the harbor sidewalks or docks. All bicycles must be stored in bike racks or on your vessel.
Grilling is allowed in provided areas only.
Michigan is a “No Discharge” State (effective on all freshwater bodies). It's illegal to discharge raw and/or treated sewage and oil or oily waste from a watercraft within the water of the state.
Swimming is not allowed in the harbor for safety reasons. Learn about electric shock drowning.
Campsites: Check-in for camping arrival starts at 3 p.m., and checkout is1 p.m.
Lodging: Check-in for overnight lodging starts at 4 p.m., and checkout is noon.
In the off-season, campers must check in upon arrival at the campground office or with the "yellow phone."
Yellow phone:
Pick up the yellow phone and it will automatically connect you to the call center, M-Th 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-10 p.m. If you arrive after call center hours, please check the campground office window for information on site availability and instructions on how to self-register.
No more than six people and two vehicles per campsite. A motorhome does not count as a vehicle when used as the camping unit.
Tent-only campsites are limited to the number of tents that can fit on a campsite, which means as many tents as necessary to accommodate a single camping party are permitted within the boundaries of the site.
In other sites, one primary camping unit (ie. truck camper, trailer, RV, etc.) and one tent are allowed with the exception of children who may occupy up to two tents on the same site as their parents or guardians.
Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings only.
Please purchase heat-certified firewood sold in parks or purchase firewood that has been certified as heat-treated at local stores and roadside stands. In an effort to save Michigan's trees, we are considering a proposed firewood policy to combat this issue. Learn firewood policies.
Camping is permitted in designated sites only. A responsible person (18 years or older) must register and be a member of the party camping each night.
Discharge of firearms, air guns, slingshots or arrows aren't permitted in campground boundaries.
Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. during which time campers may not knowingly cause noise that disturbs others.
Radios, generators or other amplified devices may not create excessive noise.
To help reduce impacts to park infrastructure and protect natural resources, non-registered campers are required to pay a $10 fee and have a Recreation Passport to utilize sanitation/dump stations except for locations where infrastructure can't withstand additional use.
Locations that do not allow non-registered campers to utilize sanitation/dump stations include Baraga State Park, Burt Lake SP, Cheboygan SP, Fort Custer SP, Hoeft SP, Holly Recreation Area (currently closed), Interlochen SP, North Higgins Lake SP, Port Crescent SP, Rifle River RA and Twin Lakes SP.
Selling or renting a state-managed campsite, cabin, lodge, or harbor slip is defined as commercial activity and is prohibited. Reservations must be canceled if they cannot be used by the original reservation holder, they cannot be sold or transferred to another party. Park staff may not honor a reservation that has been sold and transferred.
State forest campgrounds are first come, first served and cannot be reserved. Camping fees and registration procedures are posted at the information kiosk at each campground.
The only exception is Elk Hill Equestrian State Forest Campground (Otsego County). Advance reservations are available at takes advance reservations at MiDNRReservations.com.
Backpacking or car camping (also known as dispersed camping) is permitted on state forest land as long as your site is located more than one mile from a state forest campground. It's free of charge.
The following applies:
View a map of state forests and state forest campgrounds.
The map can be used as a measurement tool to determine state forest boundaries and which locations are more than one mile from state forest campgrounds. Camp registration cards are also available at customer service centers.
See the following documents for rates and operating dates at facilities. If you need assistance reading these documents or would like them in an alternative format, please call 517-284-7275.
There is a non-refundable fee that is assessed when making reservations online a MiDNRReservations.com ($8) or by phone at 1-800-447-2757 ($10).
As part of the pet-friendly lodging program, there is an additional fee of $10 per night/pet/cabin or $15 per night/pet/lodge (only applies to lodging where pets are allowed).
Visit MiDNRReservations.com or call 1-800-447-2757 to make a reservation. Sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
When the booking window opens, inventory becomes available Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.
Once checked in at the park, if you choose to reduce the length of your stay a refund will be calculated as a percentage of unused camp night fees based on the number of months the reservation has been held (see sliding modification/cancellation formula below).
If you check out before 1 p.m., that night’s camp fees will be included in the refund formula. If you check out after 1 p.m., that night’s camp fees will NOT be included in the refund formula.
You may cancel or modify your camping reservation online at MiDNRReservations.com or by calling 800-447-2757. Please note that the original nonrefundable reservation fee, a cancellation fee and a reduced-stay fee will be assessed.
Once campsite reservations are made, they cannot be canceled or modified more than five months before the arrival date.
The following fees will be assessed if you cancel or modify your camping reservation:
Reservations that are canceled on the same day the reservation was created will be assessed the $10 cancellation/modification fee only.
Modifications to reservations that do not affect the length of stay will be assessed the $10 cancellation/modification fee only.
Modifications to reservations that result in an increase in the length of stay will be assessed the additional nights’ fees only and NOT the $10 cancellation/modification fee.
Reservations are held until 3 p.m. two days after the scheduled arrival date. Failure to check in within 48 hours of the check-in time will result in a “no-show” status and will incur the loss of two nights' fees plus the reduced-stay fee (assessed on remaining unused nights using the sliding modification/cancellation formula).
| Months reservation held | % of unused nights charged |
|---|---|
| up to 2 months | 10% |
| 2 to 3 months | 15% |
| 3 to 4 months | 20% |
| 4 to 5 months | 30% |
| 5 or more months | 40% |
Tags: cancel reservation, change reservation, modify reservation, campsite reservation, camping reservation
