Weekend-Long ‘GO-Get Outdoors’ Geocaching Event at Hayes State Park (MI) Sept. 30-Oct. 2

Take part in the latest high-tech treasure hunting craze during Lazy Hayes Days Friday through Sunday, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, at Hayes State Park, 1220 Wamplers Lake Rd., Onstead, in Lenawee County, Michigan.

Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches."

Hayes State Park and the Michigan Geocaching Organization are hosting the weekend of camping and caching with Rodney “Rockin’ Roddy” Holbrook and the Cachestalkers. The annual event brings cachers from across the state to enjoy all the beauty the Irish Hills area and Hayes State Park have to offer.

New caches are hidden each year specifically for this event. This year’s weekend includes a night hike, a new kayak cache and several traditional “hides.”

The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with a fire pit hot dog social. Saturday is the main event day when cachers have time to find the area hides and mingle with fellow cachers. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will offer a Recreation 101 program on Saturday titled “Geocaching 101” for those who want to learn more about the activity. For information on the program including time, contact the park office at 517-467-7401. The event concludes with a camper’s breakfast on Sunday. For further details, email Rodney Holbrook at roddyville65@comcast.net.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering Hayes State Park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.