Collecting Driftwood in Michigan Legal? Know Before You Go!

If you ever find yourself wandering Michigan's coastline and wondering if you could take some driftwood home to spice up your landscaping or DIY project, you'll want to make sure you know where you are before leaving the beach. Driftwood would seem like fair game, right? But the rules surrounding collecting it are anything but simple.

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Full disclosure: I'm the son of a high school shop teacher who collected driftwood and transformed it into furniture. I'm not unfamiliar with the prospect of lugging driftwood or lobster traps home from vacations to turn them into lamps and coffee tables. Here's what you need to know before you load up your car with a piece of Pure Michigan driftwood, with some help from DB Texas Driftwood Artists.

Driftwood Collection on Michigan Public Land and Beaches

Michigan state law prohibits the removal of natural resources, including driftwood, from state-owned land. Rule 299.922(h) explicitly bans removing "dead and downed trees and woody debris," which means that no matter what the driftwood looks like, it stays on state land.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) enforces these rules to preserve the habitat and ecosystems of state land, so don't think you can plan a driftwood heist on a public beach anytime soon.

Driftwood Collection in Michigan's State and National Parks

Just like state-owned beaches, Michigan's national and state parks also have restrictions. Whether hiking up Sleeping Bear Dunes or paddling to Pictured Rocks, adding to your driftwood collection is a no-go. Let your dog know this goes for sticks and rocks, too.

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If caught removing natural materials from parks, you'll likely face fines. A good rule of thumb is to post a picture on Instagram and remember that driftwood fondly through likes and comments rather than deal with an angry park ranger or federal agent.

 What About Private Property?

Now, you're talking. When it comes to collecting driftwood on private property, so long as you have permission from the land owner, you've got the all clear. But what if you don't have permission? Well, you're technically trespassing AND stealing. So, get explicit approval before taking anything home from someone else's property.

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Driftwood does more than just look cool on or as a coffee table. It provides habitat for wildlife, prevents erosion, and is a key part of Michigan's coastline ecosystem. Hence, the DNR's strict rules. It's all about balance.