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
Camping reservations can be made up to six months and lodging reservations (cabins, yurts, tepees, lodges, shelters, etc.) can be made up to a year in advance. A new policy was put in place Nov. 1, 2017 to encourage people to firm up their reservations further in advance of their planned camping dates. Learn about our reservation modification and cancellation policies.
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 night time events.
Camping:
- Check in is 3 p.m., check out is 1 p.m. 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. - 8 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 are not permitted in campground boundaries.
- A responsible person (18 years of age or older) must register and be a member of the party camping each night.
- Radios, generators or other amplified devices may not be used in a manner that creates excessive noise.
Recreation Passport
A Recreation Passport is required for entry into parks and recreation areas. Learn more about the Recreation Passport.
Dump Stations
In an effort to reduce the impact to infrastructure, protect natural resources and serve customers more efficiently, a new policy will require non-campers to pay a $10 fee (in addition to the Recreation Passport requirement) to utilize dump/sanitary stations in all modern campgrounds except for locations where infrastructure can't withstand additional use. The locations that will restrict the use of dump stations to campers only include 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 campground, 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 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)
The camp registration is available at the local DNR Office or to download:
- Camp Registration Card (PDF)
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 change, modify or cancel your reservation online at midnrreservations.com or by calling the reservation call center at 1-800-447-2757; however, the $10 reservation fee is non-refundable and additional cancellation fees apply
- After the date a reservation is created, campsite reservations cannot be canceled or modified more than 5 months prior to the arrival date.
- Prior to establishing a camp, if a customer chooses to cancel or modify before their arrival date, on or after their arrival date or modify by shortening their stay, the following fees will be assessed:
- $10 cancel/modification fee
- Percentage of eligible unused camp night fees based on number of months the reservation has been held (see chart below)
- If canceled or modified prior to the reservation arrival date, all unused camp nights will be eligible in the refund formula.
- If canceled on the day of arrival or later, the first night’s fee and the total cost of any additional nights passed are forfeited; any remaining unused nights are eligible for a refund using the formula.
How long reservation held: % charged of unused nights up to 2 months 10% 2 to 3 months 15% 3 to 4 months 20% 4 to 5 months 30% 5 months or greater 40%
- Reservations that are canceled on the same day they are created will be assessed the $10 cancel/modification fee
- Modifications to reservations that do not affect the length of stay, will only be assessed the $10 cancel/modification fee.
- Modifications to reservations that results in an increase in the length of stay, will NOT be charged a cancel/modification fee.
- 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. Failure to do so will result in a no-show, loss of 2 night’s fees and a percentage value of unused nights using the cancellation/modification refund formula.
Reducing number of nights after a camp is established at the park
- Once a camp has been checked in at the park, if a customer chooses to reduce their stay or check out early, any refund due will be calculated as follows:
- Percentage of unused camp night fees, based on number of months the reservation has been held (See Refund Formula Chart).
- Time of day customer is checking out:
- If before 1 p.m., that night’s camp fees will be included in the refund formula
- If after 1 p.m., that night’s camp fees will NOT be included in the refund formula
- 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 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.
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. 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 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
The following links include both rate and operating dates for each park.
- State park campgrounds
- State forest (rustic) campgrounds
- Harbor nightly slips (2-pages)
- Harbor seasonal slips
- Cabins, yurts, tepees & pop-ups
- Modern lodges
- Shelters
- Group camping sites
There is an additional non-refundable fee that is assessed when making reservations in advance at www.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 in Harrisville, Leelanau, Sleepy Hollow, Lime Island and Cheboygan state parks.
Making a Reservation
To make a reservation, visit midnrreservations.com or call 1-800-44-PARKS. Sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Campsites, harbor slips and backcountry 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.
