Step inside a beaver lodge and across lily pads as you learn how a wetland works. Meet nature’s wetland engineer, beavers, who build dams and create wetlands. Walk through a marsh and find out how wetlands improve water quality by naturally filtering out pollution, help prevent flooding, and provide important fish and wildlife habitat.

Experience our 35-foot-tall bur oak tree from top to bottom. Slide down giant tree roots and look through a lightning-strike fissure. Peek into a bear den and learn about Michigan's black bears. Then climb to the second story and check out the inside of the tree trunk, the net climb and a suspension bridge. Learn about the importance of trees for wildlife and for Michigan's economy. 

Climb into a tent, relax, sit by the campfire and imagine biting into some s'mores! Learn more about rustic camping - a great, inexpensive way for families to spend time outdoors year-round. Most Michigan state forest campgrounds are located on a river or lake, so the fun can continue with fishing, boating and paddling.

Contribute to scientific studies by collecting data about plants, animals and insects in your community. Contribute to citizen science by practicing your bird identification skills. Observe honeybees in action by watching a livestream from our hives. Learn more about surveying for frogs and toads by listening to their calls.

Discover the river's recreational opportunities and the history of shipping on the river, and learn about aquatic invasive species and how we can prevent them. Meet historical figures with ties to the river, and find out about the history of the building now known as the Outdoor Adventure Center.

Climb into our duck blind and learn more about Michigan's waterfowl and wetlands. Find out about our state's outstanding wildlife viewing and waterfowl hunting opportunities and how hunting helps fund waterfowl and wetland management and conservation.

As you enter the OAC's exhibit areas, meet Michigan's majestic elk, a conservation success story. Learn about where elk live, what they eat, how you can view them in the wild, and how the DNR manages this species.

Have a seat by the campfire and get ready for your Outdoor Adventure Center expedition as you watch a short welcome video. Learn about aspen trees and the important habitat they provide for a variety of wildlife.

Explore Michigan's hunting and trapping heritage. Give hunting a try with a laser shot simulator and identify mammals by their fur. Learn how hunting funds conservation, contributes to the state's economy and helps biologists manage wildlife.

See how small, everyday living changes, like reducing your water and electricity use and recycling, can benefit you and the environment. Discover how kitchen waste and rainwater contribute to a healthier backyard environment and how to attract birds and bats to your backyard.

Step inside our yurt, complete with bunk beds and other furnishings, and learn about all the ways you can stay overnight in one of the state parks throughout Michigan. Sit back in an Adirondack chair and watch a video showing lodging options, from tents and RVs to lodges, cabins, yurts and even teepees. 

Walk into a pine forest and along our forest trail as you learn about Michigan's forests and their history. Discover how the DNR maintains thriving forests, how they support tens of thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to our economy, and how their land and water are full of wildlife.

Michigan has 11,000 inland lakes, more freshwater shoreline than any other state, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. Step into a fishing boat, reel in a big fish and learn about Michigan's world-class fishing opportunities and paddle down a river in our kayaking simulator.

Michigan is home to the world's largest collection of freshwater sand dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan, many within our state parks. See what a sand dune looks like and what's so great about the Great Lakes. Make plans to check them out for yourself.

Cross the suspension bridge and experience being hidden in an elevated hunting blind, spotting game and other wildlife from above. Learn about the different types of blinds that hunters use to stay hidden from their prey.

Discover the possibilities along the 13,000-plus miles of trails in Michigan! Hop on one of our simulators and experience what it's like to ride a snowmobile, off-road vehicle or mountain bike.

Stand in an eagle's nest and snap a souvenir photo of your group, then fly over areas in Michigan and the city of Detroit to get an eagle's-eye view.

Michigan has more fresh water than any other state, and a huge variety of aquatic life, including 154 different species of fish. Identify some of these fish swimming in our aquarium. 

Walk behind and touch an indoor waterfall to get a glimpse of what it's like to visit one of Michigan's 150 waterfalls. Then cross a pond over stones and, as you travel through an underground cave, learn about our state's geology, the valuable natural resources that are under the ground and Michigan mining.

Climb aboard an airplane and see how the DNR uses planes to fight wildfires, monitor and manage wildlife like moose and elk, and find trees being damaged by invasive forest pests. See real video of fighting wildfires and spotting wildlife and learn about how you can help prevent wildfires.