A leo with the State of Mich DNR was mentioned to me word has come down from above to start limiting access to the paid camping areas inside Michigan State Parks.I guess the law has been on the books for a while, but never enforced. It's supposedly to increase the safety, security and enjoyment of those who paid camping fees to be in the park by limiting access to those who are just passing through.As I stood by tending my smoker here in a state park, watching car after car after car drive by and gawk, I think I will appreciate having the law enforced. Although the sad part is, I'm guessing it's unfunded mandate from the State, and parks / management districts will be left holding the bag to pay for it.Thoughts, comments?

In Indiana, no one gets inside the park without paying unless they have a season pass. Camping areas are always restricted to ONLY paying camper and are stopped at the gate house before entering the actual campground area. Sometimes, they will let someone pass through if they want to see the campground for future camp site selections (which we've done ourselves). But mostly, if you are not a paid camper, you are not permitted in the camping area.Personally, I like this rule.Even in those State Recreation areas and State Parks that have horsemen campgrounds, if you are not a paid camper in the horse campground area, you don't get in, even if you are a paid camper in the regular campground in the same park.Now if you are walking a trail or riding a bicycle, almost anyone can get past the campground entrance. But if in a car, you're not getting in unless you have a reason to be there.Personally, I like that!

Dutchmen, It's similar in Michigan, residents in Michigan can pay $11/yr for a recreation passport that gets you in to all the state parks and other state fee areas. Visitors from out of state, or residents who didn't pay for a passport have to pay a day use fee to get in. What they're talking about is separating the campground from the "day use" part of the park, so I guess adding a second gate house?

I noticed a lot of drive bys during my last camping trip. When I took a walk around the campground, I realized most all were other campers. Looked like a few used my loop to turn around, but most seemed to be just sightseeing.

We've been to many state parks where you can't drive through the campgrounds unless you're staying there. It's not just a Michigan thing. It really does make sense. There are always walkers and children playing so extra traffic could be dangerous. It also adds more congestion, lack of privacy and noise for the campers that paid for their site. Some folks also stop to use the bathrooms or if they see an empty spot they'll stop to have their picnic or do a little fishing in the river or lake.

When did they start letting anyone in?Been camping in Michigan State Parks for decades and you needed both the state park sticker and the campsite tag on your rearview mirror. No real cost/effort as you typically have to drive by the registration station and stop until they wave you thru.Are you possibly thinking of some of the more remote parks?

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2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 18, 2018
We've been to many state parks where you can't drive through the campgrounds unless you're staying there. It's not just a Michigan thing. It really does make sense. There are always walkers and children playing so extra traffic could be dangerous. It also adds more congestion, lack of privacy and noise for the campers that paid for their site. Some folks also stop to use the bathrooms or if they see an empty spot they'll stop to have their picnic or do a little fishing in the river or lake.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Mar 17, 2018
I noticed a lot of drive bys during my last camping trip. When I took a walk around the campground, I realized most all were other campers. Looked like a few used my loop to turn around, but most seemed to be just sightseeing.
GordonThree
Explorer
Mar 17, 2018
Dutchmen, It's similar in Michigan, residents in Michigan can pay $11/yr for a recreation passport that gets you in to all the state parks and other state fee areas. Visitors from out of state, or residents who didn't pay for a passport have to pay a day use fee to get in.

What they're talking about is separating the campground from the "day use" part of the park, so I guess adding a second gate house?
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Mar 17, 2018
In Indiana, no one gets inside the park without paying unless they have a season pass.

Camping areas are always restricted to ONLY paying camper and are stopped at the gate house before entering the actual campground area. Sometimes, they will let someone pass through if they want to see the campground for future camp site selections (which we've done ourselves). But mostly, if you are not a paid camper, you are not permitted in the camping area.

Personally, I like this rule.

Even in those State Recreation areas and State Parks that have horsemen campgrounds, if you are not a paid camper in the horse campground area, you don't get in, even if you are a paid camper in the regular campground in the same park.

Now if you are walking a trail or riding a bicycle, almost anyone can get past the campground entrance. But if in a car, you're not getting in unless you have a reason to be there.

Personally, I like that!

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