Michigan state parks news - April 2025

Due to severe ice storm damage in northern Michigan this past weekend, many DNR state parks, trails, customer service centers and facilities remain closed for assessment and cleanup.

Find a list of closed state parks and facilities.

Downed trees and power lines have made many locations inaccessible, and DNR crews are working to safely clear debris and restore safe access. During this time, we urge the public to respect all closures and exercise extreme caution when outdoors in affected areas.

The DNR is contacting reservation holders in affected areas of the northern Lower Peninsula to cancel existing reservations. Upper Peninsula reservation holders traveling from the Lower Peninsula are strongly encouraged to cancel for a full refund. Please call the reserved park with questions.

Additionally, while trees are still snapping and falling, the DNR advises against riding, hiking or biking on state forest lands in these affected areas. Also, please remember that you need a fuelwood permit to remove downed wood from state-managed land. 

Michigan's 2025-26 ORV season is here! Now is a great time to purchase your ORV license and trail permit, both of which are valid April 1 through March 31, 2026.

You'll have access to 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV trails and scramble areas, eligible county/national forest roads, state forest roads (open to ORV use) and frozen surfaces of public waters. 

Fees generated through ORV licenses and trail permits are reinvested into the ORV system, benefiting trail expansion, grant funding for annual trail grooming, infrastructure improvements and more.

Before you hit motorized trails, be sure to review safety and trail etiquette information at Michigan.gov/RideRight.

Since our Nature Awaits program launched last spring, 30,000-plus fourth graders have explored Michigan state parks through free field trips.

Transportation reimbursement is available for public schools, and the trips can be scheduled through early June.

Teachers can learn more about the program and how to register by visiting Michigan.gov/NatureAwaits.

Discovering Michigan's outdoors is about to get easier! With a brand-new design and intuitive navigation, finding state parks, campgrounds, state forest campgrounds and nonmotorized trails will be easier than ever!

Built on a new platform, the site utilizes intuitive filters and location-based searches to help visitors more easily explore outdoor places and recreation. Stay tuned for the official launch announcement!