State park · Grayling, MI
Hartwick Pines State Park
We have not read Hartwick Pines State Park's rig limits, dump stations or season on its own pages yet — check them on the official site below before you go.
Going to Hartwick Pines State Park? Tell us the nights.
One email when a Michigan owner lists a rig for those nights.
Hartwick Pines State Park questions
Not yet re-read on the park's own pages.
- What length RV fits Hartwick Pines State Park?
- Our record: rigs up to 50 ft park-wide.
- Is there a dump station at Hartwick Pines State Park?
- Our record: Near campground entrance.
- Can I run a generator at Hartwick Pines State Park?
- Our record: 8am-10pm.
- When is the camping season at Hartwick Pines State Park?
- Our record: Apr 15 - Oct 31.
PickRV
Published by PickRV
More on Hartwick Pines State ParkField notes, rig limits by loop, seasons, what to do, quiet spots
Hartwick Pines is a 9,672-acre Michigan state park in Crawford County, 7 miles north of Grayling. The crown jewel is a 49-acre stand of OLD-GROWTH white pine — the largest remaining in the Lower Peninsula. The Logging Museum on-site preserves the early 1900s timber-boom history. 100 RV sites with electric hookups + AuSable River access for canoe/fishing.
The notes below are PickRV's editorial record. None of their figures has been re-read on the park's own pages yet.
What the official site doesn't tell you
PickRV editor's field notes
The MI DNR site advertises Hartwick Pines as 'old-growth white pine forest' but doesn't tell you that the 49-acre old-growth grove is the ONLY old-growth section — the other 9,623 acres are second-growth forest (still beautiful but not 'monumental tree' awe). First-time visitors expecting a redwood-style cathedral are mildly disappointed. Set expectations: you came for ONE 49-acre grove + Logging Museum, not endless old-growth. Second non-obvious: the AuSable River trout fishing here is world-class — Michigan's only blue-ribbon trout stream. Third: the Logging Museum closes mid-October — many fall-foliage visitors miss it.
Rig limits by loop and road
Length + clearance
- ·Park-wide, our record: 50 ft
Dump + generator
- ·Dump station: Near campground entrance (Free for campers)
- ·Generators: 8am-10pm
Boondock alternative within 10 min — free with MI DNR permit
AuSable State Forest dispersed (10 min)
Seasons and closures
Full season: Apr 15 - Oct 31
Limited access: Nov 1 - Apr 14 (primitive only, water shut off)
Known closures:
- ·Logging Museum closes mid-Oct through Memorial Day weekend
What to do at Hartwick Pines State Park
- Old-Growth Trail (49-acre grove)
- 1mi loop; 'Monarch Pine' is 350 years old
- Logging Museum + Lumberman's Monument
- Closes mid-Oct; living history weekends
- AuSable River canoe + trout fishing
- Michigan's only blue-ribbon trout stream
Hidden — not on the official map
PickRV editor's quiet spots
Forest Trail (10mi)
Less-walked; connects to AuSable State Forest dispersed
Michigan scenery around Hartwick Pines State Park
Landscapes from around Michigan — the country you cross on a Hartwick Pines State Park RV trip.
Weather, air and sky right nowLive for Hartwick Pines State Park. Open-Meteo, sunrise-sunset.org.
Will my rig fit? Try your lengthChecks a length against the park caps in our record.
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This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Michigan rules to know before you rent
Per-state legal callout · MI
Before you rent in Michigan — key local rules
The everyday license covers rigs up to 26,000 lbs GVWR
Michigan (2024 Michigan Commercial Driver's License Manual, Secretary of State, Section 1): no CDL is required for individuals operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for nonbusiness purposes — a standard operator's license suffices for personal motorhomes regardless of weight. The only RV-specific add-on is the Recreational Double 'R' endorsement for towing a fifth-wheel plus an additional trailer.
MI Secretary of State · verified 2026-08-02
Boating safety certificate required if born on or after July 1, 1996
Michigan requires a boating safety certificate to operate a vessel if you were born on or after July 1, 1996; anyone born before that date may operate a boat with a motor without one. The personal-watercraft rule is separate and stricter — a certificate is required for PWC operators born after December 31, 1978, and PWC operators must be at least 16.
Michigan DNR — Boating Safety Certificate · verified 2026-08-02
Michigan ORV License + Trail Permit required ($26.25 + $10/yr)
Michigan requires ORV License ($26.25/yr) + ORV Trail Permit ($10/yr) for ORV/ATV/OHM use on state-designated trails. Largest state ORV network at ~4,000 mi.
MI DNR — ORV · verified 2026-05-24
Michigan BAC 0.08%; open container in passenger area prohibited
Michigan enforces 0.08% BAC for non-commercial drivers. Open alcoholic containers prohibited in passenger areas of motor vehicles on public highways.
MCL §257.625 · verified 2026-05-24