Have an upcoming camping reservation at one of Michigan’s state parks? Not anymore.
Families and outdoor enthusiasts are scrambling to make alternative plans after the Michigan DNR announced the indefinite closure of nearly 20 state parks. Here’s what we know so far.
Just as we were about to celebrate milestones like the spring equinox and Oberon Day in Michigan, Mother Nature decided to throw us a curveball to remind us that’spring’ is nothing more than a calendar date.
The extreme round of severe weather that hit on Sunday, March 30 not only spawned nine tornadoes across the Lower Peninsula, but also brought a “generational” ice storm to Northern Michigan, leaving residents without power or heat and prompting Gov. Whitmer to declare a state of emergency in ten counties.
After the Storm
As a result, the Michigan DNR advises the public to be aware of the following closures and exercise extreme caution when visiting the area. Several services, including parks, trails, customer service centers, and other facilities, will be closed indefinitely while crews assess the damage and clean up.
If you have an upcoming trip planned in the area, the DNR states that they are currently contacting reservation holders in the affected areas.
The DNR is…[cancelling] existing reservations. Upper Peninsula reservation holders traveling from the Lower Peninsula are strongly encouraged to cancel for a full refund. Please call the reserved park with questions.
Which Parks Are Closed?
The DNR advises hikers, bikers, and riders to avoid the emergency area’s trails due to ongoing tree damage and falling. Affected public lands are:
- Aloha, Burt Lake and Cheboygan state parks (Cheboygan County)
- Clear Lake State Park (Montmorency County)
- DNR Customer Service Center in Gaylord (Otsego County)
- Fisherman’s Island and Young state parks (Charlevoix County)
- Hartwick Pines State Park and Visitor Center (Crawford County)
- Negwegon State Park (Alcona and Alpena counties)
- Onaway, Thompson’s Harbor and P.H. Hoeft state parks (Presque Isle County)
- Oden State Fish Hatchery and Visitor Center (Emmet County)
- Otsego Lake State Park (Otsego County)
- Rockport Recreation Area (Alpena and Presque Isle counties)
- Wilderness and Petoskey state parks (Emmet County)
