Mike Sonnenberg

Traverse City State Park Starting Spring Reservations

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg

Traverse City State Park (AKA Keith J. Charters) near downtown traverse city has announced on the reservation website that they are taking reservations for spring starting February 14th. Reservations had been closed because of ongoing construction in the park. Here is the message that comes up on the reservations system.

Reservations opening Feb. 14 for May 20th camping

Reservations will open on February 14. The first night to camp will be May 20th in the central and east loop only. West loop will remain closed until the new toilet shower building is completed.

The campground is in the process of updating all the electric and building a new toilet shower building. We created 28 cement pad sites, 4 pull thru sites and all of west loop will be upgraded to 50 amp. All other sites will have their own pedestal with 20/30 amp.

Thank you for being patient during construction and please realize that construction is ongoing until both projects have been completed.

If you still need a place to camp this spring this is an option as most parks are full for Memorial weekend already.

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Rustic campground to open at Ionia State Recreation Area

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg

Starting this spring, visitors to Ionia State Recreation Area will have access to hike-in camping options at the popular, mid-Michigan outdoor recreation destination. The new rustic campground, opening May 15, was designed to provide the space and setting for people interested in a camping experience that puts them even closer to nature.

The campground will have 16 rustic campsites that require an easy, quarter-mile hike from the parking lot, including 10 sites set in the woods, five sites set along Sessions Lake and one site that backs up to a creek. Each of the rustic campsites includes a fire pit and picnic table and proximity to outhouses located along the access trail.

People can book these sites through the DNR reservation system, MiDNRReservations.com, starting Tuesday, Feb. 18. Campers aiming for more spontaneity can reserve available sites in person, on a first-come, first-served basis the day of arrival.

“These new rustic camping options will expand choices for overnight accommodations here at Ionia,” said Trevor McGinn, park supervisor. “We wanted to create a different experience for visitors on some prime real estate, and we’re confident that the lakefront spots will be very popular.”

The 4,418-acre park is located approximately 35 miles from both Lansing and Grand Rapids. The park provides a wide range of recreation activities, including camping, disc golfing, fishing, hiking, biking, hunting and equestrian trail riding. The park is home to a designated hunting dog field trial area, a campground, modern and mini cabins, a swimming beach and park store on Sessions Lake, Tibbets Creek, the Grand River and natural environments that are home to rare plants and animals. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Ionia.

For more information on Ionia’s new rustic campsites, contact Trevor McGinn, at 616-527-3750. To learn more about all DNR camping options (including rules, rates, policies and special programs), visit Michigan.gov/Camping.

Photo and information provided by the Michigan DNR

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Rifle River Recreation Area Road Contstrution

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg

The Michigan DNR reservation website has a notice for the Rifle River Recreation Area that they will be doing some road construction late this summer and early autumn.

Grousehaven (modern) Campground will be closed from September 8-October 15

Devoe, Ranch, Spruce, and Org (rustic) Campgrounds will be closed from August 16-September 3 and September 30-October 15.

Cabin users will be entering the park through the south entrance gate from September 30-October 15

I am not sure exactly what they will be doing to the road but I know the dirt road heading back to the southern end of the park was getting really rough. It is great that they are making improvements to the roads.

Free Michigan State Park Checklist Map

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg

I have seen some Michigan State Park maps with a checklist to check off the different state parks you have visited. I wanted one so I did a campmichgan.org map that can be printed on a standard 8-1/2 x 11 piece of paper. It would probably print on larger 11×17 if you have a printer that prints that or you could take it to somplace like Staples.

If you are like me and working on visiting all of Michigan’s spectacular state parks feel free to download this pic and print it out to hang on the wall of your RV or home. You can download a printable PDF version by clicking HERE

Don’t forget to check out the Camp Michigan State Park Handbook and Journal available on Amazon by clicking HERE

If you are looking for unique and different places to visit while you are camping be sure to check ou the Lost In Michigan books on Amazon HERE

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Michigan State Parks Affected by High Water levels

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Mike Sonnenberg

Last year we saw the water levels in the Great Lakes rise to record levels and this year they are expected to be even higher. With many Michigan State Parks along the shoreline, some of them have had to make changes or adjustments to the campgrounds because of the high water levels.

Here is a list of parks that have been effected

Muskegon State Park Because of the high water levels The channel campground will not be open to reservations in 2020. If the flooding subsides next spring and if the campground and its facilities are acceptable, the campground will be opened at that time for walk-ins only

Young State State Park Due to high groundwater levels, several sites have been closed for the foreseeable future. The affected site numbers are: 20, 21, 24-30, 52-62, 135-137, 139, 153, 155, 157, 159, 172, 174, 176, 178, 181-189.

Harrisville State Park Sites along Lake Huron have been closed due to high water level

Leelanau State Park Because of high water flooding in October on a portion of the campground road a few sites are temporarily closed. In the spring it will be evaluated to determine if they will be open in the summer.

Fishermans Island Campground The road between the North and South Campgrounds has become impassable, therefore the South Campground will be closed until the road can be evaluated in the spring.

This is the list of campgrounds that I am aware of that have been affected by the rising lake levels. I would expect other parks may be affected as the summer goes on but hopefully the lakes will lower and things will get better. Also, be aware that beaches and other areas near the lakes such as hiking trails or boat launches that may be affected. Expect many beaches to be small again this year like they were last year.

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Inexpensive Alternative to Furrion Backup Camera

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

If you have a newer trailer you probably have a pre-wired backup camera mount on the rear of your trailer. The “shark fin” mount is for a Furrion camera system but if you have checked into getting one you know they can be rather pricy.

I have been thinking about getting one but then I came across a bracket on Amazon for $9.99 that adapts the holes for the furrion camera to a different camera and includes a wiring adapter.

To go along with the bracket I got an Amtifo FHD 1080P Digital Wireless Backup Camera and monitor for less than $150.

The only hiccup was the fact that the bracket was for a halo view camera mount and I had a different brand of camera. I had to drill a few holes in the adapter to mount the brackets together. I am sure it would not have been an issue if I had gotten an Haloview backup camera but I am cheap and I saved about $25 bucks.

Here is the completed camera setup. I zipped tied the wires to the mount. I could have pushed them into the wall of the trailer but I figured it would be easier if I need to service it.

The monitor is a nice large 7″ color display and looks great with the 1080p high definition. The monitor plugs into a round power port ( cigarette lighter if you are old school like me) The power for the camera comes off the marker lights so you have to have your headlights on for the camera to activate. It connects to the monitor quickly. ( if you have a GM vehicle you may need to override the auto driving lights)

I have had the camera for a few trips and it works excellent for backing up. traveling down the highway there is a little bit of “skipping” from the motions of the road as it passes by, but it still works great. It is nice to know if someone is behind or coming up to pass.

I have been backing up trailers for a long time and pretty good at it but for less than $200 I really like having the camera. Especially because I travel alone sometimes and do not always have a spotter. If it saves me from running into a picnic table or fire pit it is well worth the money. And best of all. It could save your marriage.

Here are some affiliate links to the camera and bracket I used.

Amtifo FHD 1080P Digital Wireless Backup Camera With 7” DVR Monitorhttps://amzn.to/2RbqFfx

Haloview Backup Camera Bracket Adapter Compatible with Furrion Pre-Wired RVs https://amzn.to/2DAX9HV

2020 Michigan State Parks Construction Projects

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

As we get into reservation season since you can make them 6 months to the day it is almost time to make reservations for Memorial weekend and the summer. Some state parks have been making changes and improvements over the winter. Also, a few parks have closed some sites next year because of flooding and high water. Here is a list of the projects and changes I am aware of.

Burt Lake is updating their sewer, I am not sure if it is just maintenance or they are updating the dump station also.

Traverse City is updating the electrical system

Wilson SP in Harrison is building new bathroom buildings in both sides of the campground

Interlochen is building a new bathroom building in the south campground

Sleepy Hollow is upgrading their electrical system in the north campground

South Higgins is building a new bathroom building

Rifle River Recreation Area Road Construction Project
Due to road improvements, Grousehaven (modern) Campground will be closed from September 8-October 15 Devoe, Ranch, Spruce and Org (rustic) Campgrounds will be closed from August 16-September 3 and September 30-October 15. Cabin users will be entering the park through the south entrance gate from September 30-October 15

Ludington State park most of the Beachwood campground will be closed in 2020 for new bathroom construction.

Otsego is cutting down some trees this winter because of disease

Young State Park some of the sites will be closed in 2020 because of flooding issues

Muskegon State Park the channel campground will be closed in 2020 because of the high water levels and flooding. It may open up for walk-ins.

Fisherman’s Island State Park some of the sites are closed because of high water levels but are planned to be open in the spring.

This is the list that I know about. If I am missing something please comment below.

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A Campground Divided

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

I am not sure why the “Big Game” is in the middle of November. I remember it always being in the middle of October. It is usually the weekend we go camping during one of the many Harvest Festivals. Whether your a Spartan or Wolverine everyone in the campground has the game on either the TV or the radio. I could walk around the campground or go to the restroom and never miss the game since you could hear it from every campsite.

A few days ago I was driving through a subdivision in my hometown and I saw this MSU motorhome in someone’s driveway. I gotta admit I love the “old school” motorhome like the one on Stripes. I figured I better find a pic of a wolverine motorhome for the other half of the battle.

I hope the annual game between Blue and Green will get moved back to October so we can sit around the campfire and watch the game and argue over which team is better.

P.S. I wonder if they will have the field shoveled for this Saturday’s game.

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State Park Closing Dates

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

It’s that time of year when most state parks are closing the campground or converting it to rustic camping. The modern bathrooms are closed and the water is turned off. Some parks do have year-round modern camping including, Tawas, Mitchell and Rifle River. For the complete schedule of when parks close for the season click HERE

P.S. one thing I have noticed too is that when a campground switches over to rustic they usually close the dump station.

Trick Or Treating at Bay City

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

There were a few kids this weekend trick or treating at Bay City State Park’s Harvest Festival. I think I saw all of the Avengers, several princesses ( or is the plural of princess princei or princen) I also saw most of the Star Wars rebels and empire leaders, sadly no Jar Jar Binks. I am also waiting for the one kid to go as the Dopler Effect. Unfortunately, I am still waiting to see that kid. We gave out over 400 pieces of candy in about half an hour.

I am looking forward to next year. I can’t think of a better way to end the Michigan camping season with friends, a campfire, and candy

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