Family-friendly events feature fall-themed activities like trick-or-treating and hay rides
Each year in the fall, Michigan state parks close out the busy summer camping season with a family favorite: harvest festivals. These events, offered this year at many locations statewide, are a great way to welcome autumn and feature activities such as pumpkin carving, costume contests, trick-or-treating and more. Each park puts its own personal spin on the celebration, so no two events are exactly the same.Below is a list of upcoming harvest festival dates and locations. Asterisks (*) denote events for those with camping reservations.
Thursday, Oct. 1 – Sunday, Oct. 4
• *Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County)
Friday, Oct. 2 – Saturday, Oct. 3
• *Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park (Grand Traverse County)
• *South Higgins Lake State Park (Roscommon County)
• Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson County)
Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4
• *Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area (Lapeer County)
• *Seven Lakes State Park (Oakland County)
• *Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County)
• *Sleeper State Park (Huron County)
Saturday, Oct. 3
• Aloha State Park (Cheboygan County)
• *Wilson State Park (Clare County)
• *Hartwick Pines State Park (Crawford County)
• Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County)
Thursday, Oct. 8 – Sunday, Oct. 11
• *Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County)
Friday, Oct. 9 – Saturday, Oct. 10
• Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson County)
• *Harrisville State Park (Alcona County)
Friday, Oct. 9 – Sunday, Oct. 11
• *Algonac State Park (St. Clair County)
• *Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County)
• Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area (Lapeer County)
• *Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County)
• *Sleeper State Park (Huron County)
• Young State Park (Charlevoix County)
Saturday, Oct. 10
• Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County)
Friday, Oct. 16 – Saturday, Oct. 17
• Tawas Point State Park (Iosco County)
Friday, Oct. 16 – Sunday, Oct. 18
• Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area (Lapeer County)
• *Algonac State Park (St. Clair County)
• *Port Crescent State Park (Huron County)
• *Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston County)
Saturday, Oct. 17
• Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County)
Saturday, Oct. 24
• Cheboygan State Park (Cheboygan County)
• *Hayes State Park (Lenawee County)
• Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County)
To see a full list of events and details, visit www.michigan.gov/stateparks or contact a park directly.
Most harvest festival activities are free for registered campers and some are open to the public, but a Recreation Passport is required for park entry, and camping fees apply. To check camping availability and make a reservation, visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 1-800-447-2757.
Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.
