Brighton Recreation Area

Reminder it's a free fishing weekend at state parks.

$273 Million In ARPA-Funded State Park Projects Entering Final Stretch It's the final stretch of extensive upgrades at many state parks and trails – including some across the WHMI listening area.

It's that time of year again! Have you seen any of these turtles crossing roads or digging nests on your property? If so, please consider submitting your observations to the Michigan Natural Features Inventory Rare Species Form to help inform turtle conservation efforts across the state!

Click here to learn about the Rare Species Form:
https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/report

Click here to learn more about MNFI, the Natural Heritage Database, and the work that we do:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/10cff7ddf03240c395fbb384a0ab76e9

⚠️ CRITICAL FIRE DANGER THIS WEEK ⚠️

Fire danger levels are currently EXTREME across the majority of the Upper Peninsula and VERY HIGH across the northern Lower Peninsula. Today and tomorrow are absolutely not the days to burn.

The Michigan DNR has officially closed burn permits until we receive sufficient rain. To everyone living in or visiting these areas, please pause and take these critical precautions:

☑️ Hold off on yard work: Leave yard waste piled for a later day.

☑️ Watch the sparks: Be incredibly careful with power equipment, off-road vehicles, and trailer chains. A single spark or hot engine parked on dry grass can ignite a massive wildfire.

☑️ Be mindful of storm debris: In the northern Lower Peninsula, downed wood from last year's March 2025 ice storm is completely dry and poses an extra risk for hotter, faster-burning fires.

☑️ Never leave a campfire unattended: If you are cooking or camping, contain your fire in a pit or ring. When you are done, douse it with water, stir the ashes, and douse it again. It must be completely out.

☑️ Know who to call: If a backyard fire does get away from you, call 911 immediately. Please do not try to put it out yourself before calling authorities.

With temperatures in the 80s, low humidity, and heavy wind gusts expected, embers can fly far and wide, spreading fire instantly.

A massive thank you to our fire crews with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and every first responder staying on high alert. We hope everyone joins in to do their part and make sure wildfires stay at a minimum. Please stay safe, stay vigilant, and let's protect Michigan together.

Burn permit and wildfire prevention information can be found in the comments.

Feel free to call the park at 810-229-6566 if you have questions.

Picture this: you’re heading to your favorite state park for a sunny afternoon picnic. You put out the invite and before you know it, 40 of your closest friends are coming. Sounds fun, right? But here’s something many people don’t realize: You might need a Use Permit to legally host your event in the park.

“So…what is a Use Permit, and why would I need one?” A Use Permit is a quick form that helps us understand what you’re planning. It lets us make sure the park has the space, facilities, and staff needed to keep everything running smoothly for your group and for all the other visitors enjoying the park that day.

Generally, you’ll need a Use Permit for events like family reunions, birthday parties, weddings, races, and other gatherings. But, they’re also required for activities like placing a geocache, doing scientific research, commercial photography (yes, family and senior photos count!), selling goods, and more.

You can learn more by checking the link in the comments.

Tag or share this with others that might need more info about Use Permits.

'Three Free' Weekend June 13-14: free fishing, ORVing, state park entry 'Three Free' Weekend June 13-14: free fishing, ORVing, state park entry Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 06/02/2026 02:16 PM EDT Share or view as webpage | Update preferences DNR News June 2, 2026 Contact: Ron Yesney (ORV), 906-228-6551 or Marcee Wardell (fishing), ...

Things you’ll want to know if you’re traveling to a Michigan state park beach this summer.

1. Swimming in buoyed swim areas gives you a safer experience. These areas have added safety measures and visual cues, helping you stay clear of hidden hazards.
2. Always check the beach flags in buoyed swim areas in a state park along the Great Lakes. They show the current conditions: green = low hazard, yellow = medium hazard and red = high hazard. Double-red flags = water access is closed. Entering the water at that time is against the law.
3. Be aware that there are no beach guards in state parks. Swim at your own risk and always prioritize safety.
4. Never swim alone or let children swim alone.
5. Keep a close watch on children and less experienced swimmers. Stay within arm's reach, have them wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, be conscious of their limits and take frequent breaks.
6. Know that water currents near piers, breakwalls and outlets of rivers can be extremely hazardous.
7. Be cautious of cold-water temperatures. Cold water can cause shock or hypothermia, making it hard for you to breathe and increase your risk of drowning.

The Great Lakes are a large, powerful water systems that hold more than 20% of the world's fresh water. Strong currents can catch even the most experienced swimmer off guard. Stay safe out there!

Learn more about beach safety by checking the link.

Whenever Watersports is open and ready for some fun on the water here at Bishop Lake

HE'S BACK.. With some new programs

Nice list of beautiful state parks

If you’re looking for an outdoor getaway, browse our guide of Michigan state parks to find your next weekend trip.