Michigan State Parks Fee Nightmare
I haven't even been to the UP of Michigan yet and I know that I will never camp in a Michigan State Park ever again. Let this be a lesson to anybody planning on staying and reserving a spot in a Michigan State Park - DON'T DO IT. Here is the synopsis:
I booked 2 sites at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in July - one for my dad and one for me. I was charged an 8 dollar reservation fee per site which is expected. My dad had emergency back surgery last week so he wont be able to make it on our trip. Yesterday I called to cancel one of the reservations. At the robo-call center, I was informed that we would lose the $8 fee plus a $10 penalty for cancelling.
Additionally, I wanted to change my trip plans and come into the park a day early and leave a day early. I was told I couldn't change both dates at once, I could add a day to the reservation and then call tomorrow to cancel the last day for a $10 fee.
Today I called back to cancel the last day and was informed that I would have a $10 fee PLUS the $8 reservation fee withheld from my refund even though I am still keeping 2 nights. My only hope is to do an early departure and beg for a refund from the campground itself.
I am going to have a minimum of $36 in fees for adjusting reservations due to my dad's surgery. I haven't even arrived in the park to get the privilege of paying the inflated vehicle user fee yet.
I understand Michigan is broke but you aren't going to make up for decades of fiscal mis-management and corruption by screwing people trying to visit your state.
I booked 2 sites at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in July - one for my dad and one for me. I was charged an 8 dollar reservation fee per site which is expected. My dad had emergency back surgery last week so he wont be able to make it on our trip. Yesterday I called to cancel one of the reservations. At the robo-call center, I was informed that we would lose the $8 fee plus a $10 penalty for cancelling.
Additionally, I wanted to change my trip plans and come into the park a day early and leave a day early. I was told I couldn't change both dates at once, I could add a day to the reservation and then call tomorrow to cancel the last day for a $10 fee.
Today I called back to cancel the last day and was informed that I would have a $10 fee PLUS the $8 reservation fee withheld from my refund even though I am still keeping 2 nights. My only hope is to do an early departure and beg for a refund from the campground itself.
I am going to have a minimum of $36 in fees for adjusting reservations due to my dad's surgery. I haven't even arrived in the park to get the privilege of paying the inflated vehicle user fee yet.
I understand Michigan is broke but you aren't going to make up for decades of fiscal mis-management and corruption by screwing people trying to visit your state.
