Michigan’s Three Free Weekend Returns With Fishing, Riding, Access to State Parks

A solid excuse to get outside is coming up in Michigan, especially if you like the idea of doing a lot of outdoor stuff without paying for it. (And who doesn't??)

What is Michigan’s “Three Free” Weekend?

Michigan's “Three Free” Weekend is returning Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. Basically, the state is waiving a bunch of fees so you can fish, ride ORVs, and hit up state parks and boat launches without needing licenses or passes.

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So if you’ve been saying “we should go do something outside” for the last three weekends and then immediately sitting back down—this might be your moment!

Here’s what you need to know:

Free Fishing Across Michigan Waters

Free fishing means exactly that. You can fish all weekend long in Michigan waters without a license. If it’s in season, you’re good to go. All the normal rules still apply, but the license part is off the table.

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ORV Trails Open Without Permits

Free ORV riding is also on the list. That means roughly 4,000 miles of trails and routes plus scramble areas are open without needing to buy a trail permit or ORV license. If you’ve got a machine sitting in the garage collecting dust, this is a pretty good reason to fire it up.

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State Parks and Boat Access Are Free Too

And state parks are also free to enter. No Recreation Passport needed for the weekend, which opens up access to more than 100 state parks plus thousands of boating access sites.

Michigan DNR Director Scott Bowen says,

This season, we’re encouraging newcomers to discover the outdoors and inviting longtime outdoor explorers to dust off their gear and get out there. Whether you want to cast a line, hit the ORV trails or relax in Michigan's award-winning state parks, 'Three Free' Weekend checks all the boxes.

Reminders Before You Head Out

It’s a nice little statewide reminder that Michigan kind of turns into a giant playground this time of year, whether you’re into fishing off a pier, trail riding, or just wandering around somewhere with water and trees.

If you do go out, officials always remind people to be smart about it. That means ride safe on ORVs, clean your gear to help stop invasive species, and don’t treat Michigan's great outdoors like a trash can.