Michigan State Parks open for winter camping
Several forum members have asked me which Michigan State Parks are open for camping in the winter? Here's the DNR list copied and pasted: Michigan State Parks open for winter camping: Park Cou...
Forum Discussion
When the heavy snow falls, don't expect to drive in and have your pick of sites. This past winter Ludington only had 5 RV sites open after the snow came. Also the dump stations are often close and gated but there's usually a pit toilet available. Tent campers had a lot more options (and there were tent campers there!) I suppose those with the big diesel rigs could plow open their own sites?
I visited Tahquamenon in the winter of 2013 and the lower falls access area was not open, the road was gated and un-plowed. There were 3-4 camp sites plowed at the campground above? the falls. At the upper falls the parking lot was plowed and the restaurant there was open (and very busy), but the walkway to the falls was not, the snow was very difficult to hike as I did not have snow shoes.
While perhaps not officially open Fisherman's Island (outside Charlevoix) does not close for the off-season. The iron ranger is always on duty and if you can make it down the un-plowed seasonal road, beachside camping in winter is lots of fun and breathtaking views. Bring a generator and extra propane - there is no electricity at this park, there are also no bathrooms - not even pit toilets.
Also Wilderness (outside Mackinaw City) is open for the winter, the iron ranger is on duty. Spent thanksgiving weekend on the shore of Lake Michigan in 2014. The inside campground is partly plowed when the snow comes, the beach front is not. Electric is turned on but the bathrooms are all closed up.
I visited Tahquamenon in the winter of 2013 and the lower falls access area was not open, the road was gated and un-plowed. There were 3-4 camp sites plowed at the campground above? the falls. At the upper falls the parking lot was plowed and the restaurant there was open (and very busy), but the walkway to the falls was not, the snow was very difficult to hike as I did not have snow shoes.
While perhaps not officially open Fisherman's Island (outside Charlevoix) does not close for the off-season. The iron ranger is always on duty and if you can make it down the un-plowed seasonal road, beachside camping in winter is lots of fun and breathtaking views. Bring a generator and extra propane - there is no electricity at this park, there are also no bathrooms - not even pit toilets.
Also Wilderness (outside Mackinaw City) is open for the winter, the iron ranger is on duty. Spent thanksgiving weekend on the shore of Lake Michigan in 2014. The inside campground is partly plowed when the snow comes, the beach front is not. Electric is turned on but the bathrooms are all closed up.
