N. Higgins Lake State Park

08/13/2026

Today is the day! Check out explorer guide Chad's final program of the season:

Digging Up Bones! Discovery Table 2-3:30 P.M. At The Day Use Near the Bathrooms

Come check out the skulls of mammals, the skins of snakes and the chance to excavate your own findings.

08/05/2026

Check out these final programs with our amazing explorer guide Chad!

Thursday, August 6th
Camouflage Safari
10 a.m. Meet at Host Site #47 (West)
Explorer Guide Chad will be taking you on a short hike to find some animals hiding in the woods. 15 minute hike, closed toed shoes preferred. Fun for all ages!

“Where do they hang out?”
Discovery Table 2-3:30 P.M. At The Day Use Near Bathrooms
Ever wonder where some of your favorite Michigan Animals hang out? Come by the Discovery table and see!

Sunday, August 9th
Snakes scare me! Change my Mind! Host Site #120 (East) 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Explorer Guide Chad has always been a little leery of snakes so if you like them and want to learn more about Michigan snakes and help Chad feel better, come by.

Herpetology Table 2-3:30 p.m. At Day Use near bathrooms
What’s that? “I like Turtles!’ well, then you’ll love Herpetology. Come by the table and see.

07/29/2026

This week's events at the park:

Thursday, July 30th
Campfire Safety
10 a.m. at Host Site #47 (West)

Explorer Guide Chad will be teaching you a HANDS-ON program about how to properly build and put out your campfire and prevent wildfires. Smokey coloring craft also.

Turtle Shell Game Discovery Table
2-3:30 P.M. At The Day Use Near the Bathrooms

Come see the Turtle Shells and play a little game of where the ball is under the shells. PRIZES!!!

Saturday, August 1st
A TREE PARTY!
10 A.M. -3 P.M. at the CCC Museum
across the street from North Higgins Lake State Park.

DNR Foresters, Archaeologists and Fire-Fighters on hand. Fire
equipment, CCC reenactors and Kirtland Warbler facts.
PLUS: Bill Jamerson’s “Dollar-a-Day Boys” Storytelling and songs
from 11-12!
Explorer Guide Chad will be there with a collection of Furs, Skulls and models of Michigan Animals that would be lost without TREES!

07/14/2026

🌟 This Week’s Activities! 🌟

Thursday 7/16
Storytime & Craft
⏰ 10:00 a.m. at Host Site #47
Come by for an exciting reading of “The Legend of Mackinac Island,” then make your own Turtle Craft! Turtle shells provided on site.
Defensive Discovery
⏰ 2:00–3:30 p.m. at the Day Use area near the bathrooms
Explore furs, skulls, shells, skins, and models while learning how different creatures defend themselves from predators and the elements.

Friday 7/17
Mammal Safari
⏰ 10:00 a.m. at Host Site #47
Follow Explorer Guide Chad on a short guided hike after
learning what mammals are and which ones we are looking for. Please have toed shoes if possible.

Fishing Game
⏰ 2:00–3:30 p.m. in the yard west of the day use bathrooms
Test your casting skills with our magnetic fishing game! Cast into the field and try to catch the BIG ONE in three tries. Prizes! Win or lose!

Click to open a schedule of nature programs across the state.

07/08/2026

Thursday, July 9
Camouflage Safari – 10:00 a.m.
West Campground Host Site #47
Think you’re good at spotting animals in the wild? Meet Explorer Guide Chad and search for creatures hidden in their habitats! It’s a short walk—please wear closed‑toe shoes.
What-a-Vore Game – 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Day Use Area near the Bathrooms
Can you tell the difference between carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores? Stop by to test your skills! Already know your stuff? Check out our animal furs, skulls, and more—then grab a prize!

Saturday, July 11
Fish Identification & Fish Portraits – 10:00 a.m.
Site #47
Learn about the fish you can catch in Higgins Lake, then trace, color, and detail your favorite! Take home your finished masterpiece as a souvenir.
Dabblers, Divers, and Diners Discovery – 2:00 p.m.
Stop by our Duck Discovery Table and see if you can guess which ducks dabble, which ones dive, and which prefer dining on land. Discover how they eat, how they sound, and the chaos they can cause. It’s sure to be a FOWL time!

Click to open a schedule of nature programs across the state.

06/30/2026

Join us for some fun Fourth of July week activities at the campground!

Thursday, July 2
• 10 a.m. – Pinecone Birdfeeders (Host Site #47)
Make your own pinecone birdfeeder with peanut butter and birdseed to hang at your campsite and attract local birds.
(Important: Please avoid this activity if you have peanut allergies.)
• 2 p.m. – Discover Bird Sounds (Day Use Beach Area)
Explorer Guide Chad will show you how to identify bird calls using helpful technology and his little stuffed friends. Don’t forget to stop by and say hello to Gary the stuffed Blue Heron!

Saturday, July 4
• 11:30 a.m. – Patriotic Bike Parade Decorating Party (Site #47, West Campground)
Decorate your bike with provided streamers and tape!
• 12 p.m. – Bike Parade
Follow Explorer Guide Chad through the West Campground. Parents, please help your little riders!
• 2 p.m. – Discovery Table (Day Use Beach Area)
Get a close look at herps, including snakeskins, turtle shells, and skulls.

Click to open a schedule of nature programs across the state.

06/23/2026

This Saturday, June 27th join our camp host and explorer guide for a fun activity at 10am. Craft to follow!

Mammal Match trivia game 2pm-3:30pm at the beach

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/public/nature-programs/-/media/75993CBED83F4D7E9944EF9F52C5837B.ashx

06/09/2026

Our explorer guide is back for another fun summer! Check out his first programs this Thursday, June 11, 2026

AHHHH! TICKS!
10 A.M. Campground Host Site #47 (West)
Join us for an interactive program all about those pesky parasites.
Learn what to do, where to look, and how to prevent tick trouble.
Great information for everyone—plus fun activities for kids!

Digging up Bones – Discovery Table
2–4 P.M. Near Day Use Bathrooms
Dig in the dirt like an archaeologist and explore our animal bones.
Make your best guesses and test your naturalist skills!

05/29/2026

Dust off those running shoes after a long winter and get ready for the annual Higgins Lake Sunrise Run!

04/22/2026

Skid piers are in at DNR launches on Higgins and Houghton Lake.