Hartwick Pines State Park

Hartwick Pines State Park One of the largest state parks in the Lower Peninsula, featuring 49 acres of old growth white pine, Visitor Center, Logging Museum and Memorial Building.
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If you've ever taken a look at the display maps at the Contact Station or Visitor Center, you might have noticed somethi...
06/19/2026

If you've ever taken a look at the display maps at the Contact Station or Visitor Center, you might have noticed something labeled "stump field" along Deer Run trail, and that's exactly what it is!

The stump field is where clear-cutting occurred when this land was owned by the Salling and Hanson Logging Company of Grayling. Despite this being over a hundred years ago, the skeletons of these huge red and white pines remain.

Be sure to check out the less traveled areas of the park for hidden pieces of history!

06/11/2026

We had a beary special guest at the Visitor Center yesterday!
We are often asked if there are bears in the park. Here's some video proof that there sure are bears at Hartwick Pines! While bears tend to stay far away from noisy park visitors and staff, yesterday was pretty quiet at the Visitor Center. This bear felt safe enough to come take a drink from our pond and sniff some bird seed. It was only around for about 3 minutes before wandering back into the forest.

If you are visiting the park, bear sightings are unlikely but not impossible. Learn more about black bears in Michigan and what to do if you encounter one at the link in the comments. Video Description: A black bear walks around the Visitor Center bird feeding area and takes a drink from the pond.

WANTED: Erethizon dorsatum, also goes by the aliases North American Porcupine or Canadian Porcupine.DESCRIPTION: Approxi...
06/09/2026

WANTED: Erethizon dorsatum, also goes by the aliases North American Porcupine or Canadian Porcupine.

DESCRIPTION: Approximately 24 pounds, 3 feet long (including tail), dark brown with white highlights, covered in quills.

CRIME: Continuous destruction of park signage, benches, and other park property.

If you spot this dangerous criminal, do not engage, as they are known to puff up their spiny quills and dislodge them into too close humans and dogs.

All jokes aside, we love our wildlife. If you see strange bite marks on our signs or buildings, it’s probably from a porcupine. 😂

Do you love parks? Do you find yourself chatting with people everywhere you go? Are you handy or creative? If you answer...
06/01/2026

Do you love parks? Do you find yourself chatting with people everywhere you go? Are you handy or creative? If you answered yes, sounds like being a Campground Host could be perfect for you!

Hartwick Pines is looking for enthusiastic campers to join us this August and September. In exchange for free full hookup camping, volunteers put on weekly programming such as a craft or event, host a coffee hour, and help out with tasks as needed, such as ensuring our campground stays free of litter.

For more information or an application, please visit www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/get-involved/host/campground

Interested volunteers can email [email protected]

Finally, we have summer weather! ☀️Unfortunately, that also means preparing ourselves appropriately for the natural elem...
05/27/2026

Finally, we have summer weather! ☀️

Unfortunately, that also means preparing ourselves appropriately for the natural elements. We are already seeing a huge uptick (pun intended) in the number of ticks in our park, state forest campgrounds, and boating access sites. Additionally, heavy spring rains created the perfect conditions for mosquito breeding, especially in wetland areas like Jones Lake.

So what can you do? 🕷️🦟
- Plan accordingly. Wear insect repellant and carry tweezers or a tick removal tool.
- Check yourself, small children, and pets regularly.
- Do not wait to remove an attached tick. Using a tool or your fingers, grasp it close to your skin and steadily pull up. Do not use heat, petroleum jelly, or other substances to remove an attached tick.
- Clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water and watch for any developing rashes.

Let us know if you have any questions on how to protect yourself below!

Cool find alert! While digging through some of the more untouched corners of our storage spaces, we found this old-schoo...
05/25/2026

Cool find alert!

While digging through some of the more untouched corners of our storage spaces, we found this old-school state park board game!

We'll be sure to keep this available with our campground hosts this summer for campers to borrow.

Hartwick Pines campers, following DNR Parks and Recreation Policy, campsites must be occupied within 24 hours of your ar...
05/17/2026

Hartwick Pines campers, following DNR Parks and Recreation Policy, campsites must be occupied within 24 hours of your arrival date. If not checked in by 3 PM the next day, your campsite will automatically be moved to “No-show”, canceling your stay.

While this policy is not new, our reservation system will now automatically cancel no-shows in place of park staff manually removing the reservation. By booking a campsite and choosing not to come without canceling, it takes away the chance for another visitor to enjoy that spot.

To make changes to your reservation, visit midnrreservations.com or call 1 (800) 44-PARKS.

Did you know that Hartwick Pines staff not only maintains the 9,000+ acres that makes up our State Park, but 15 state fo...
05/11/2026

Did you know that Hartwick Pines staff not only maintains the 9,000+ acres that makes up our State Park, but 15 state forest campgrounds, 6 trailheads, and 27 boating access sites?

This past week, Rangers installed a newly repaired skid pier at one of our most popular boating access sites and state forest campground, Lake Margrethe.

We have lots of projects going on outside of the park this summer, so stay tuned for more!

For more info on state forest campgrounds, visit michigan.gov/.../camping.../state-forest-campgrounds

Due to ongoing work to the septic system in our Day-Use area, the pavilion will not be available to rent this season. Ex...
05/04/2026

Due to ongoing work to the septic system in our Day-Use area, the pavilion will not be available to rent this season. Existing reservations will be honored.

Bathrooms will be open intermittently and porta potties and vaults will be available.

If you have any questions or concerns, give us a call at (989) 348-7068

Finally, after so many years, restoration has begun on the Major Edward E. Hartwick Memorial Building.When Karen Hartwic...
04/30/2026

Finally, after so many years, restoration has begun on the Major Edward E. Hartwick Memorial Building.

When Karen Hartwick donated the land to the State of Michigan almost 99 years ago, one of the requirements of the deed was to establish a memorial building in memory of her husband.

In the 97 years since the Memorial Building was completed, time has taken its toll. Thanks to funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, in addition to the cedar shake roof replaced last year, the support columns will once again be structurally sound.

We are so incredibly excited for a new chapter in a key landmark of our park and invite you to follow along!

Address

3612 State Park Drive
Grayling, MI
49738

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 10pm
Tuesday 8am - 10pm
Wednesday 8am - 10pm
Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday 8am - 10pm
Sunday 8am - 10pm

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