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"*Michigan state park news - February 2026*"

Congratulations to our 2025 camper and harbor survey winners!

Family gathered at a campsite, who happen to be one of this year’s survey winners

After completing our comprehensive camper and boater online survey, these lucky winners were randomly selected to receive a $200 Michigan state park and harbor gift card [ [link removed] ].

Congratulations to John A. (Livonia, MI), Donna C. (Warren, MI), Stephen L. (Trenton, MI), Ann V. (Wellston, MI) and Shefali B. (Walled Lake, MI).

Starting next year, we’re keeping it simple. We’ve cut the survey down to just five questions that take less than two minutes to complete. It’s the fastest way to let us know how we’re doing and help us improve your next adventure.



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Calling all birders: Camp Warbler returns this summer

a birder holding binoculars and looking into the sky

Whether you’re a lifelong birder or just starting out, join us for the third annual Camp Warbler [ [link removed] ], taking place June 1-3, at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center [ [link removed] ] near Roscommon.

This two-night, all-inclusive getaway includes lodging, five meals, round-trip motor coach transportation from Belle Isle Park in Detroit, and a variety of presentations and activities led by state parks and Outdoor Adventure Center staff.

Some of the highlights include an interpretive guided wildlife drive through the Shiawassee Wildlife Refuge, a stop at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling and a visit to a Kirkland’s Warbler breeding site.

Register now! [ [link removed] ] Tickets are $450 per person. Bringing a friend? Save $20 on a guest ticket when you share a room.



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A quick pro tip for late camping arrivals

a mother and child sitting at the campfire in a campground

Make sure your next camping trip goes off without a hitch! To avoid automatic cancellation and loss of fees, please be sure to arrive and check in no later than 3 p.m. on the second day of your reservation.

This policy has been in place for years to help ensure fair access to camping opportunities. By automating this process, we can quickly open up unoccupied sites for other campers to enjoy.

If your plans change and you’ll be arriving later than expected, just hop onto MiDNRReservations.com [ [link removed] ] or call 800-447-2757 to adjust your arrival date. Otherwise, you'll lose two nights' stay, non-refundable reservation, $10 cancellation and reduced-stay fees.

Since our system handles these updates automatically, park staff "are not" able to manually override a cancellation once it happens. Please be sure to update your booking ahead of time.



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Riding with friends? Be a responsible trail leader

four spaced-apart snowmobiles riding on trail

Riding is at its best this winter, thanks to plenty of powder on Michigan’s thousands of miles of state-designated snowmobile and off-road vehicle riding trails.

If you’re hitting the trails with friends for the long Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 14-16), make safety part of the plan and remember the importance of riding smart as a group. To Ride Right [ [link removed] ], together, keep these tips in mind:


* Keep a safe distance between you and the rider ahead.
* Always keep the group’s most inexperienced rider in mind.
* Only transport a passenger if the machine is manufactured to carry a passenger.
* Use designated stop areas if you need to stop on the trail and remove your helmet. Never stop side-by-side, in the middle, at the crest of a hill, on a corner or in an intersection.
* Share the trail. Some designated snowmobile trails are also open to ORVs and other, nonmotorized users.
* Nonmotorized trail users and groomers have the right-of-way. If you see nonmotorized trail users or groomers coming from the opposite direction, pull over and yield.

Get ideas for where to ride, learn about trail conditions and brush up on more safety tips at Michigan.gov/Snowmobiling. [ [link removed] ]



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ICYMI: Free Fishing Weekend is this weekend!

an angler ice fishing on frozen water

Discover world-class fishing and the stunning beauty of a Michigan winter during _Free Fishing Weekend [ [link removed] ]_! 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 [ [link removed] ] fee, and 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 [ [link removed] ] for essential tips to ensure your on-ice activities are safe and enjoyable.



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"Check them out! Our special merchandise partner, Great Lakes Proud [ [link removed] ], offers sustainably sourced apparel and accessories featuring iconic Michigan symbols like campfires, morels, "Peace, Love, Parks," tree rings and more."










*Michigan.gov/StateParks [ [link removed] ]*

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