Here are 12 ways to embrace our warmer winter right now.



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DNR banner with link to website [ [link removed] ]Winter sunshine coming through the trees on the Vasa Trail



Higher temps got you down? There?s still plenty of winter fun to be had!

Little or no snow doesn?t have to dampen your outdoor plans during these unseasonably warm winter days. While snowmobiling, skiing, ice fishing and snowshoeing may not be possible right now, here's a handful of ideas ? depending upon your mood ? for getting outside and soaking up the fresh air and sunshine. If you're looking for:

Relaxing and fun activities

Two young children dressed for winter show off a splake they caught while ice fishing.

*Do some shore fishing*. The first of two free fishing weekends [ [link removed] ] is coming up Feb. 17-18. From Family Friendly Fishing Waters to fishing locations by region and more, we can help you find places to get your next catch [ [link removed] ].

*Stargaze at one of our state?s dark sky preserves*. Limited light pollution (artificial light) affords these locations some spectacular night-sky viewing [ [link removed] ].

**Look local*. *Take advantage of community and county parks, nature preserves, playgrounds and other outdoor spaces close to home.?



Excursions in the woods

Birds in a tree

*Go birding*. While many of our summer species have headed south for the winter, for a number of species [ [link removed] ], Michigan is their warm spot. Grab your binoculars and go!

*Get creative with the kids*. Find family-friendly outdoor ideas at our Nature at Home webpage [ [link removed] ]. Resources include videos from our state park interpreters, outdoor scavenger hunts, reading materials, free apps, websites, virtual tours and more.



Vasa Pathway Pine

*Test your winter tree identification skills*. Use bark and buds to determine which trees are in your neighborhood or along your favorite local trail. Join Hartwick Pines park interpreter Craig Kasmer as he shows you how to find clues to identify Michigan trees [ [link removed] ]. (Check out our state forests webpage [ [link removed] ] for more tree-friendly activities.)

**Feel the dirt beneath your feet*. *Hike a tried-and-true trail or wander a new-to-you route. Keep in mind that if you must traverse a muddy section of trail, go through the center rather than travelling around the mud and widening the path. Check out more trail etiquette (and find trail maps) at Michigan.gov/DNRTrails [ [link removed] ].



Awesome adventures

*Take a wintry dip. *Try a cold-water plunge in East Grand Traverse Bay ? and warm up afterward ? with a visit to MI Sauna on the beach at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park. Reserve your spot in the sauna [ [link removed] ]?by booking one of the 80-minute sessions available weekends and certain weekdays.

MI Sauna cold water plunge at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park

**Get your heart pumping by riding the dunes at Silver Lake State Park*.* The fat-tire biking season [ [link removed] ] runs Dec. 15-March 15, 8 a.m. to dusk each day.

*Play a round of disc golf*. Our state parks are home to seven disc golf courses [ [link removed] ], with multiple distance options available in the winter.

Winter yurt camping at a state park

*Try winter camping. *There are many opportunities to tuck into remote campsites and cozy cabins [ [link removed] ] for the evening and experience adventures that can be shared over campfires.

*Prefer a day trip? *Pack a picnic for an afternoon at a state park. If you think you might want to extend your day, download the state park camp and overnight lodging rates & operating dates schedule [ [link removed] ]?to find campgrounds open year-round.



And when the frigid weather returns ? come on, you know it will! ? we?ve got you covered with loads of great ways to make the most of snowy days at Michigan.gov/WinterFun [ [link removed] ].

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*Media contacts: *These DNR staff members are available to assist media representatives with follow-up questions:?


* *Parks/trails:* Heather Durocher, [email protected] <[email protected]>
* *Forestry:* Rachel Coale, [email protected] <[email protected]>
* *Fishing/fisheries:* Sierra Williams, [email protected] <[email protected]>
* *Wildlife:* Rachel Lincoln, [email protected] <[email protected]>

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