The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages everyone to take advantage of “Three Free” Weekend – Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. It’s two full days when Michigan residents and out-of-state visitors can grab a fishing rod, ride the off-road trails and visit state parks, boating access sites and other outdoor locations — all free of charge.
“If you need another reason to get outdoors and explore some of Michigan’s best recreation opportunities, ‘Three Free’ Weekend is it,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen. “There’s nothing better than spending time outdoors with friends and family in places you love, so we’re encouraging everyone to take advantage of these two days to fish, hit the ORV trails and visit our award-winning state parks.”
Free ORV Weekend. Legally ride 4,000 miles of state-designated routes and trails and the state’s six scramble areas without purchasing an ORV license or trail permit. Many ORV trails remain closed following this spring’s ice storm in northern Michigan. Visit Michigan.gov/ORVinfo for the latest ORV trail, safety and closure information.
Waiver of the Recreation Passport. To encourage people to pursue free fishing and other outdoor fun, the DNR waives the regular Recreation Passport fee that grants vehicle access to Michigan’s 103 state parks, 1,000-plus state-managed boating access sites and many other outdoor spaces. Learn more about Passport benefits at Michigan.gov/RecreationPassport.
Please note that following the severe March 28-30 ice storm in northern Michigan, the DNR continues assessments and cleanup at many state-managed locations. Visit the DNR’s ice storm response page to view a dashboard with the latest status (open, partially open, temporarily closed) of state parks, state-managed trails, boating access sites, state forest campgrounds and state forest roads, as well as to find an interactive map, safety updates and more.
Stay safe, protect nature
For the best outdoor experiences, the DNR urges everyone to put safety first when enjoying Michigan’s woods, water and trails.
Helpful safety tips — for ORV, boating, beach, fire and other topics — are available at Michigan.gov/DNREducation in the Safety Information section. Please pay special attention to fire safety at Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires. Also be cautious of cold-water temperatures when visiting the Great Lakes and inland lakes. Sudden immersion can cause cold shock, making it hard to breathe and increasing drowning risk. Stay safe and enjoy our beautiful waters!
The DNR also encourages anglers to review fishing safety tips and other helpful information at Michigan.gov/HowToFish.
Boaters can help prevent the spread of invasive species by removing mud and debris from all surfaces, draining water from all bilges, wells and tanks, and drying all equipment before transporting boats over land.
Trail users can do their part for invasive species prevention by removing dirt and debris from shoes, gear and vehicles before heading to the next location. When off-road riding, please remember to?Ride Right — ride at a safe speed, ride sober and ride on the right side of the trail — and for all trail users, keep trail etiquette top of mind.
Additionally, the DNR encourages everyone to #RecreateResponsibly. Before you head out on the trails or water, visit the DNR Recreate Responsibly webpage to learn more about how you can stay safe and protect the health and beauty of our great state.
