Camping Rules and Regulations
Depending on where you are camping, there are different rules about how to make reservations, where you can camp, the size of your group and more. At all times, State Land Use Rules must be followed (these are general rules pertaining to DNR-managed public lands).
State Land Use Rules
Read the state land use rules relevant to state parks and recreation areas.
Reservations
Reservations for campsites and harbor slips can be made up to six months in advance of a planned arrival date, or 12 months in advance for overnight lodging facilities and day-use shelters. Visit MiDNRReservations.com or call 800-44PARK. View camping modification and cancellation policy.
Park Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Only registered campers are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. with the exception of occasional events.
Camping:
- Check-in on your arrival date is 3 p.m. and check-out on your departure day is 1 p.m. for camping. Check-in on your arrival date is 4 p.m. and check-out on your departure day is noon for overnight lodging. Campers must check in upon arrival, either at the office or with a yellow phone in the off-season (pick up the phone and it will automatically connect you to the call center, M-Th 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.). If you arrive after call center hours, please check the campground office window for information on site availability and instruction on how to self-register.
- Camping is permitted in designated sites only.
- No more than 6 people per campsite, 2 vehicles per site.
- In tent-only campsites, as many tents as necessary to accommodate a single camping party are permitted within the boundaries of the site. In other sites, one primary camping shelter and one tent are allowed (exception: children may occupy up to two tents on the same site as their parents or guardians).
- Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings only.
- Discharge of firearms, air guns, slingshots or arrows aren't permitted in campground boundaries.
- A responsible person (18 years or older) must register and be a member of the party camping each night.
- Radios, generators or other amplified devices may not create excessive noise.
Recreation Passport
A Recreation Passport is required for entry into parks and recreation areas. Learn more about the Recreation Passport.
Dump/sanitation station fees for non-campers
In an effort to reduce the impact to infrastructure and protect natural resources, non-campers are required to pay a $10 fee (in addition to the Recreation Passport requirement) to utilize dump/sanitation stations except for locations where infrastructure can't withstand additional use, including Baraga SP, Bewabic SP, Burt Lake SP, Cheboygan SP, Fort Custer SP, Hoeft SP, Holly RA (currently closed), Interlochen SP, North Higgins Lake SP, Rifle River RA, Seven Lakes SP and Twin Lakes SP. (SP= State Park; RA= Recreation Area).
Alcohol
Alcohol possession and use is limited or prohibited at some state parks. See parks with alcohol restrictions.
Pets
Pets are welcome on a 6-foot leash in state parks, campgrounds, some state park cabins, state forest campgrounds, non-designated bathing beach areas, most harbors, the majority of trails and many boat launches. Learn more information about pet-friendly rules.
Events (shelter rentals, event permits, etc.)
Some events at parks require permits. Learn about shelter rentals and using state land.
Firewood
Please purchase heat-certified firewood sold in parks or purchase firewood that has been certified as heat-treated at local stores and roadside stands. In an effort to save Michigan's trees, we are considering a proposed firewood policy to combat this issue. Learn about our firewood policies.
Hunting
All state recreation areas are open to hunting unless designated closed. All state parks are closed to hunting unless designated open. Learn more and see a list of parks and recreation areas where hunting is allowed
Metal Detecting
Metal detecting is allowed in designated parks when it is conducted in ways that do not damage the resources or violate state laws. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation. See a list of parks where metal detecting is allowed.
Research
All research activities within state parks, recreation areas, boating access sites and rail trails are required to have a use permit. Most research projects will require no fees, bonding or insurance, but will require submittal of a report at the conclusion of the project in place of monetary payment. Learn about the process for obtaining a land use permit for research
Transfer (or sale) of existing reservations
Conducting commercial activity on state land is a violation of the notice 299.922(dd) and MCL 324.504. Selling or renting a state-owned campsite, cabin, lodge, or harbor slip is defined as commercial activity. Reservations must be canceled if they cannot be used by the original reservation holder; selling the site and transferring to another party is prohibited and park staff may not honor a reservation that has been sold and transferred.
Fireworks
Fireworks are not permitted.
Fishing
With the exception of Free Fishing Weekends, if you are over the age of 17 you are required to have a license to fish. Buy your fishing or hunting license .
Camping fees and registration procedures are posted at the information kiosk at the campground. The majority of the state forest campgrounds are first come, first served. Campsite reservations are available in the following state forest campgrounds at midnrreservations.com and can be made up to six months in advance:
- Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground (Crawford County)
- Little Presque Isle - rustic cabins (Marquette County)
- Elk Hill Equestrian State Forest Campground (Otsego County)
- Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground (Otsego County)
View state forest campground operating dates, amenities & fees
Dispersed camping is permitted on any state-owned land for free. The following rules apply:
- The campsite must not be located in a designated state park, recreation area, rustic state forest campground or game area. The campsite must also be located more than one mile from a rustic state forest campground.
- The property must not be posted "No Camping."
- A camp registration card (PDF) must be prominently posted at the campsite for the duration of the stay. It is the responsibility of the camping party to ensure that the registration card remains legible (placing it in a zip-top bag is recommended).
- State Land Rules are followed.
The following resources are available to help determine where dispersed camping is available:
- Map of state forest boundaries and state forest campgrounds (use the measurement tool to determine state forest boundaries and which locations are more than one mile from rustic state forest campgrounds)
Reservation Policies
Please be sure you understand the new reservation cancellation and modification policies for campgrounds and lodging in state parks.
Modification and cancellation policy
You may cancel or modify your camping reservation online at MiDNRReservations.com or by calling 800-447-2757. Please note that the original nonrefundable reservation fee, a cancellation fee and a reduced-stay fee will be assessed.
Once campsite reservations are made, they cannot be canceled or modified more than five months before the arrival date.
The following fees will be assessed if customers cancel or modify their camping reservation 1) before the arrival date or 2) on or after the arrival date.
- 1. Nonrefundable reservation fee (paid at the time a reservation is booked): $8 for reservations made online and $10 for reservations made through the call center.
- 2. $10 cancellation/modification fee.
- 3. Reduced-stay fee (an incremental fee determined by the length of time a reservation is held and the number of eligible nights canceled); see sliding modification/cancellation formula below.
- a. If canceled or modified before the arrival date, all unused camp nights are eligible for the reduced-stay fee per the sliding modification/cancellation formula..
- b. If canceled on the day of arrival or later, the first night’s fee and the cost of any nights that have already passed will be charged at the full rate. Any remaining unused nights are eligible for a refund using the sliding modification/cancellation formula..
Reservations that are canceled on the same day the reservation was created will be assessed the $10 cancellation/modification fee only.
Modifications to reservations that do not affect the length of stay will be assessed the $10 cancellation/modification fee only.
Modifications to reservations that result in an increase in the length of stay will be assessed the additional nights’ fees only and NOT the $10 cancellation/modification fee.
Reservations are held until 3 p.m. two days after the scheduled arrival date. Failure to check in within 48 hours of the check-in time on arrival date will result in a “no-show” status and will incur the loss of two nights' fees plus the reduced-stay fee (assessed on remaining unused nights using the sliding modification/cancellation formula).
Sliding modification/cancellation formula Months reservation held % of unused nights charged up to 2 months 10% 2 to 3 months 15% 3 to 4 months 20% 4 to 5 months 30% 5 or more months 40% Reducing the number of nights after a camp is established at the park
Once checked in at the park, if customers choose to reduce their stay or check out early, a refund will be calculated as a percentage of unused camp night fees based on the number of months the reservation has been held (see sliding modification/cancellation formula).
If the customer checks out before 1 p.m., that night’s camp fees will be included in the refund formula. If the customer checks out after 1 p.m., that night’s camp fees will NOT be included in the refund formula.
Reservation modification and cancellation policy
- The original reservation fee is non-refundable
- Changes and cancellations cannot be made more than 11 months in advance of arrival date.
- Cancellations made any time after processing this reservation until the close of business the day before your scheduled arrival date will incur a $10 cancellation fee. If you cancel on your day of arrival or later, you pay a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night’s camping fee as well as the fee for each night that has passed.
- Reservations are held until 3 p.m. two days after your scheduled arrival date. If arriving after 3 p.m. two days after your scheduled arrival date, you must modify the reservation to delay the arrival date or cancel the reservation. Penalties will apply. Failure to do so will be considered a no-show with the loss of 2 night’s fees.
- Changes to this reservation prior to your day of arrival (i.e. change of dates or change sites within the same park) will incur a $10 modification fee.
Modification and cancellation policy:
- Changes and cancellations cannot be made more than 11 months in advance of arrival date.
- Cancellations made any time after processing this reservation until the close of business the day before your scheduled arrival date will incur a $50 cancellation fee. If you cancel on your day of arrival or later, you pay a $50 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night’s camping fee as well as the fee for each night that has passed.
- Reservations are held until 3 p.m. two days after your scheduled arrival date. If arriving after 3 p.m. two days after your scheduled arrival date, you must modify the reservation to delay the arrival date or cancel the reservation. Penalties will apply. Failure to do so will be considered a no-show with the loss of 2 night’s fees.
- Changes to this reservation prior to your day of arrival (i.e. change of dates or change sites within the same park) will incur a $50 modification fee.
Reservation modification and cancellation policy
- The original reservation fee is non-refundable.
- Changes and cancellations cannot be made more than 5 months in advance of arrival date.
- Cancellations made any time after processing this reservation until close of business the day before your scheduled arrival date will result in a refund of fees paid minus the non-refundable reservation fee. For cancellations/modifications made on the day of arrival, you'll forfeit the non-refundable reservation fee, the first night's dockage fee and any night’s dockage fee that has passed.
- Reservations are held until 5 p.m. on the scheduled arrival date. If arriving after 5 p.m. on the scheduled arrival date, you MUST contact the Harbormaster to notify staff of late arrival. If you're late, and you fail to call, the reservation will be cancelled as a no-show with the loss of a two-night fee.
Reservation modification and cancellation policy
- The original reservation fee is non-refundable.
- Changes and cancellations can be made anytime after a reservation has been created
- Cancellations made any time after processing this reservation until the close of business the day before your scheduled arrival date will incur a $10 cancellation fee. If you cancel on your day of arrival you forfeit the shelter use fee.
- Reservations are held until 8pm on the scheduled arrival date. Failure to register on arrival will result in a no-show cancellation with the loss of all fees.
- Changes to this reservation prior to your day of arrival (i.e. change of date or change of shelters within the same park) will incur a $10 modification fee.
Rates, Operating Dates & Reservations
See below for rates and operating dates for state park and state forest campgrounds
Rates & Operating Dates
- State parks campground / overnight lodging facility rates & operating dates
- State forest (rustic) campground rates & operating dates
- Harbor nightly slip rate schedule & operating dates
- Harbor seasonal slip rate schedule
- Modern lodge rates & operating dates
- Shelter rates & operating dates
- Group camping site rates & operating dates
- Dump/sanitation station fees for non-campers
There is an additional non-refundable fee that is assessed when making reservations online at MiDNRReservations.com ($8) or 1-800-44-PARKS ($10).
As part of the pet-friendly lodging program, there is an additional fee of $10 per night/pet/cabin or $15 per night/pet/lodge.
Making a Reservation
Visit MiDNRReservations.com or call 1-800-44-PARKS to make a reservation. Sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.-
Campsites, harbor slips and backcountry campsites can be reserved 6 months in advance (at the times below).
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Cabins, yurts, lodges and shelters can be reserved 1 year in advance (at the times below).
When the booking window opens, reservable inventory becomes available Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.
