Category Archives: State Park

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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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.

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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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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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.

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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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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