State to waive park entry fees for Trails Week

LANSING – Michigan will celebrate its trails, parks and waterways later this month by making state parks admission-free and waiving license requirements for off-road vehicles.

Gov. Rick Snyder proclaimed Sept. 20 to 27 Trails Week, the governor's office said in a news release.

In addition to events and volunteer opportunities throughout that week, the state will celebrate National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27 by waiving vehicle entry fees for state parks, state forest campgrounds, trail head parking, and boat launches, the release said. On Sept. 27 and 28, license requirements for all off-road vehicles will be waived, though all other laws and regulations must still be followed.

The week celebrates the more than 12,000 miles of trails and waterways in the state, the release said.

It also will promote the Pure Michigan Trail Network legislation signed by Snyder earlier this year, which would allow the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to name Pure Michigan Trails, Waterways and Trail Towns, and would expand volunteer activities for trail upkeep.

Visit michigan.gov/trailsweek for more information.