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Managing our state parks system

bird's eye view of lighthouse and shoreline

Managing our state parks system

  • Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas – spanning 300,000 acres – offer a diverse landscape and unparalleled recreation opportunities. These public lands are essential to Michigan's well-being and serve as a cornerstone of our state's environment and economy.

    • 103 state parks and recreation areas (with a new state park in Flint underway).
    • 140 state forest campgrounds.
    •  360,000 acres of land within state parks and recreation areas.
    • More than 13,750 state park campsites and 250 cabins, yurts, lodges and other overnight accommodations.
    • 38 million visitors a year (average based on 2023 data).
    • Endless fun and recreation possibilities at our day-use facilities.
    Visit state parks »

  • Park management planning

    Help shape the future of Michigan state parks. Engage with our general management planning process, which is used to define a long-range planning and management strategy that protects a park's natural and cultural resources, while also addressing recreation and educational needs and opportunities.

    View park management plans »

State park funding model percentages

Funding Michigan's state parks

Approximately 97% of state parks funding for operations and maintenance is generated by user fees and royalty revenues. This includes:

  • Camping and lodging reservation fees (48%).
  • Recreation Passport sales (29%).
  • State-owned, oil, gas and mineral royalty revenues – which feed the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund (11%).
  • Concessions, shelter reservations, cash interest earnings and miscellaneous sources (9%).

Michigan's General Fund tax dollars provide the remaining 3% of state parks funding.

Learn more about how the DNR is funded.

  • park management

    Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee

    The Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee is a citizens’ advisory committee to the NRC and the DNR. This diverse panel of individuals ensures that the public has a voice in the operations, planning and development of Michigan's premier state park system.

  • sustainability icon - blue circle with white leaf with circle and arrow around it

    State parks stewardship

    Beyond their beauty, state parks are essential ecosystems that purify our air and protect critical habitats. Through intentional stewardship, we ensure these special place remain resilient and vibrant for generations to come.