MICHIGAN, USA — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shared that they be will raising camping and overnight lodging fees starting Aug. 1, 2025. This price hike marks the first increase in three years to support state park operations.

An effort is underway to reintroduce Arctic grayling to Michigan rivers following an 89-year hiatus. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Little River Band of Ottowa Indians are leading the effort to reintroduce self-sustaining populations of the fish to state rivers.

The increased revenue will go right back into the parks to better the visitor experience, the state Department of Natural Resources says.

Testing is expected to continue through January, with hundreds of samples to be processed in the latter half of the month.

In the culmination of a yearslong process, the DNR will handoff the grayling eggs to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians on Monday, May 12, during a ceremony at Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson.

Michigan State park campsite rates will increase between $4 and $10 a night depending on the location and amenities.

The state-designated trails are open from Dec. 1 through March 31 at sites such as Outdoor Adventure Center along Detroit's riverfront, Lake Hudson Recreation Area and Waterloo Recreation Area. Although the trail permits are not required during Free Snowmobile Weekend, all other snowmobile regulations such as age restrictions still apply.

Michigan's elk hunters encountered high temperatures in the first hunting period of the year, which hurt harvest rates.

Michigan state parks need to fill hundreds of summer jobs across the state, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program connects hunters, game processors and food banks across the state to feed those in need.

Former Congressman Dan Kildee was appointed chairman of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission days after leaving office.

The increased revenue will go right back into the parks to better the visitor experience, the state Department of Natural Resources says.