Mike Sonnenberg

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

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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The Disappearance of Tawas Beach

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

On my recent trip to Tawas Point State Park, I was shocked to see how much the beach has changed. I took this photo of the beach in 2013. This is the main beach at the tip of the point near the lighthouse. It was a beautiful sandy beach with a volleyball net and plenty of room on the sand to lay out and soak up some rays.

This is what the beach looks like today. Most of the sand is gone. I am not sure if it is just the high water levels or erosion or both. The beach is not what it used to be. It still is a great place to hang out and cool off on a hot summer day. The water in Lake Huron is still cool, clear and refreshing and there is a long shoreline at the point but the beach has changed a lot this summer.

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Lost Visitor

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

On our recent stay at Interlochen State Park, we were sitting by the campfire late at night when a friendly dog came up and sat down next to us. We looked around and could not find anyone nearby and wondered where he came from. I told my wife to check his tags and she found one with a phone number. It was a 619 area code which is in California but we called it and my wife told the person on the other end that we have their dog. They were so grateful. They were setting up their tent about ten sites down and Wally, the dog, must have wandered off. We called them about the time they noticed he was missing and were more than thankful that we called them.

Yeah I know you are supposed to keep your dog on a leash at all times but things happen and the lesson from this story is to make sure you have a phone number on your dog’s tags.

P.S I have been busy camping and have not posted much lately but summer will be coming to an end and I will get back to posting more.

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The Next State Park?

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Mike Sonnenberg

I often wonder about what will become the next state park. I have always wanted to visit the remote 14 Mile Point Lighthouse located on Lake Superior near Ontanogon. It is privately owned but has been for sale for a long time, about ten years I think. I thought it would be nice if the land could be purchased by a grant or from a non-profit and donated to the state. It would make for a nice tourist attraction and possibly help to preserve or restore the historic lighthouse.

Built in the late 1890s the lighthouse was discontinued in 1955 and sold for $5,200 in 1957. Tragically in 1984, the lighthouse caught on fire from a campfire that was not properly extinguished. The brick walls and cast iron lantern room is all that remains of the lighthouse. The lighthouse is in an extremely remote area without any roads leading to it.

The Lighthouse and property are currently for sale for $890,000. unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of money laying around but It seems like it would be something that would make for a nice park on Lake Superior. You can see more about the property HERE

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