Michigan state park news - September 2023

We're piloting a new self-check-in process at 13 state parks, so you can skip the line and get to your campsite faster.?

As found with many hotels and airports, you can virtually check in for your campsite reservation on youe time after midnight on the day of arrival. Just log in to your account at MiDNRReservations.com and follow the prompts. You'll also receive a courtesy reminder email once the self-check-in window is open.

If you already have your Recreation Passport, you can skip the line and go straight to your campsite after 3 p.m. Be prepared to show your booking information to park staff upon request. Don't have a passport? You can purchase one at the entrance booth before setting up camp. If no staff is present, you can use the self-payment envelope and place it in the designated drop slot.

The pilot will take place at Baraga,?Fort Wilkins, Harrisville, Hoffmaster, Holly, Lakeport, Leelanau, Muskegon, Petoskey, Port Crescent, Warren Dunes, Waterloo and Yankee Springs state parks/recreation areas.

Looking to soak up the fall colors in Michigan? Here are some options for a colorful autumn getaway.

Get a bird's-eye view of Michigan's stunning fall foliage on a chairlift ride to the top of the Porkies Winter Sports Complex's ski hill in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The chairlift is open Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 23 through Oct. 14 from noon to 6 p.m. EDT.

Catch fall color at 25 mph on Michigan Luge Adventure Park's zip line in Muskegon State Park. Soar over the tree canopy, sand dune and luge track before descending into the white pine and oak forest.?The zipline operates Saturdays and Sundays 10.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of October.

You'll also find color along Michigan's 1,300 miles of state-designated trails.

Grand Haven State Park staff surprised these campers over the Labor Day Weekend as the holders of the DNR's 1 millionth camp night reservation of 2023.

They were greeted by park staff and given a warm welcome and gifts, including a $100 Michigan state park and harbor gift card!

When it comes to getting out on the trails, there?s no place like home.?With more than 13,000 miles of designated state-managed trails, plus thousands of miles of local, county and federally managed trails and pathways, there's plenty to explore?in Michigan.

This fall, celebrate your favorite kind of trail ? your go-to paved path in your neighborhood, that oh-so-peaceful tree-lined switchback in your community, the deep-in-the-woods ORV two-track, the quiet horse-friendly trail, maybe even a serene water route at a nearby lake or river ? and?consider ways to make the most of Michigan Trails Week Sept. 17-24.

Great Lakes Proud, our merchandise and apparel partner, has created timeless gear to celebrate Michigan Trails Week and the state's reputation as the Trails State.

Do you love exploring Michigan?s state parks, trails and waterways? Do you have a passion for taking photos and creating videos?

State park photo ambassadors work hand in hand with the DNR to capture the beauty of Michigan's great outdoors and help tell the story of the state's parks and recreation system through a lens. In exchange, ambassadors get state parks swag and social media exposure, opportunities for your images to be used in official DNR promotions and more.?

Ambassador 2024 applications are being accepted through Oct. 8.

Photo of Young State Park by state parks photo ambassador?Paul Massie.

Join us for the?Lodge and Learn: Nature's Palette?weekend getaway at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon Sept. 29-30. Enjoy an art-themed, aquatic health-focused weekend getaway with?a Bob Ross painting class,?a micro-murder mystery and?opportunities for kayaking and exploring 8 miles of trails. Packages start at $380 for double occupancy and includes two nights of lodging, five meals, programming and use of recreation facilities.