Michigan state parks news - January 2026

Grab your friends, ride and test out 6,000-plus miles of Michigan's snowmobile trails during Free Snowmobiling Weekend, Jan. 10-11, when you legally can ride without the requirement of a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

No matter when or where you ride, please remember that speed is the main contributing factor in snowmobile crashes/fatalities. Follow Ride Right safety precautions, including staying on the right side of the trail, and get home safe to your family and friends.

Love the experience? Support the trails by purchasing your snowmobile trail permit. Your contribution keeps our massive trail system groomed and ready for action all season!

With the holidays in the rearview mirror and winter in full swing, summer might feel a world away, but the camping season is closer than you think!

With campsites, lodging and harbor slips available for booking up to six months in advance, you can secure reservations all the way into July. Visit MiDNRReservations. 

Looking for new ideas? Use the advanced filters with our all-new RecSearch to find locations with pull-through sites, disc golf courses, fishing, trails and more.

Discover world-class fishing and the stunning beauty of a Michigan winter during Free Fishing Weekend! Feb. 14–15, residents and visitors can enjoy fishing without a license. All other fishing regulations apply.

Want to explore more? We are also waiving the Recreation Passport fee, granting free vehicle entry to all 103 state parks and more than 1,000 DNR-managed boating access sites (where plowed).

Before you head out, please visit Michigan.gov/IceSafety for essential tips to ensure your on-ice activities are safe and enjoyable.

There’s no shortage of cold-weather opportunities to get outdoors and into the fresh air. Check out these ideas to inspire your next adventure:

• For a truly unique experience, head to the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park in Muskegon State Park. You'll find a quarter-mile ice-skating trail, an Olympian-designed luge track, a sledding hill, lit cross-country ski trails and much more.
• Don’t miss out on a number of winter-inspired events throughout state parks and other locations, including lantern-lit trail events, snowshoe building workshops, ice fishing classes and more.
• The Porkies Winter Sports Complex is the place to be for the Midwest Telefest (Feb. 7–9), Winter Snowburst Carnival (Feb. 21) and several lantern-lit and guided snowshoe hikes.
• Cyclists can conquer the dunes during the official fat-tire biking season at Silver Lake ORV Area, Dec. 15 - March 15, enjoying 450 acres of sand, lakefront sunsets and 100-foot elevation changes.
• If you're in the Detroit area but want to stay warm, visit the Outdoor Adventure Center. You can experience the outdoors indoors by walking behind a waterfall, "reeling in" a giant fish, or trying out snowmobile and mountain bike simulators.
• You can also visit our winter fun page for other ideas.