I just got off of the phone with the Michigan State Park reservation line. I think my colonoscopy went a lot smoother. I was on the phone for 20 minutes trying to reserve a site for next weekend. The first ten minutes was nothing but recordings about this that and the other. Talking to the person was a chore also the audio was muffled some fierce.It seems the biggest concern they have is cancellations. The recordings and the phone person had to make sure you understand this. Then there is this rule and that rule and the rule that overrides the other rule. I had less questions with my mortgage. WOW this will make me think twice about the state park system in my own state.

Alas, the state does not run the reservation system. Perhaps if we all complained they would go back to doing it.

And a PS, my husband just called to change ours and it went well.

We do our reservations for the Michigan state parks six months in advance most of the time online. It works well for us we have been doing it for many years. If we have to call the phone number for any reason it is painful to wait because we know they are using the same online system the public uses, they are just the ones doing the typing.

Brian in Michigan wrote:I just got off of the phone with the Michigan State Park reservation line. I think my colonoscopy went a lot smoother. I was on the phone for 20 minutes trying to reserve a site for next weekend. The first ten minutes was nothing but recordings about this that and the other. Talking to the person was a chore also the audio was muffled some fierce.It seems the biggest concern they have is cancellations. The recordings and the phone person had to make sure you understand this. Then there is this rule and that rule and the rule that overrides the other rule. I had less questions with my mortgage. WOW this will make me think twice about the state park system in my own state.I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. I made a telephone reservation with a state park in Maryland. I kid you not it took almost an hour as she had to read me a book of the rules and on and on and on. Earlier in the month I made a reservation with a motel in Durango, CO and it took me 5 minutes tops. Surely something can be done about the efficiency of these commercial reservation agents.

These states have chosen the lowest bidder, and as is true every where: You get what you pay for.

Michigan State parks | Good Sam Community

rexlion
Explorer
Aug 19, 2013
No doubt the call center workers get paid by the hour, and have no incentive to hurry things along for you. :D

I never make reservations. Even at McLain, I just showed up and stayed 3 nights (July busy season).
michigansandzil
Explorer
Aug 19, 2013
memgrove wrote:
We do our reservations for the Michigan state parks six months in advance most of the time online. It works well for us we have been doing it for many years.

X2
4 state park reservations made for this year alone and it was not a problem at all.......well as long as you don't include getting into Ludington b/c that was a PITA (but we did get in).
the_silverback
Explorer
Aug 19, 2013
There has been a lot of posts about the reservation system for Michigan state parks. It is a pain!!! I solved the problem by going to private parks 99% of the time. I have also found by the time all the fees for state parks are added in the private parks are a better deal most of the time. The state parks do have some very nice locations, but a lot of them are dated to say the least.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Aug 18, 2013
These states have chosen the lowest bidder, and as is true every where: You get what you pay for.
Road_Runners
Explorer
Aug 18, 2013
Brian in Michigan wrote:
I just got off of the phone with the Michigan State Park reservation line. I think my colonoscopy went a lot smoother. I was on the phone for 20 minutes trying to reserve a site for next weekend. The first ten minutes was nothing but recordings about this that and the other. Talking to the person was a chore also the audio was muffled some fierce.It seems the biggest concern they have is cancellations. The recordings and the phone person had to make sure you understand this. Then there is this rule and that rule and the rule that overrides the other rule. I had less questions with my mortgage. WOW this will make me think twice about the state park system in my own state.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. I made a telephone reservation with a state park in Maryland. I kid you not it took almost an hour as she had to read me a book of the rules and on and on and on. Earlier in the month I made a reservation with a motel in Durango, CO and it took me 5 minutes tops. Surely something can be done about the efficiency of these commercial reservation agents.
memgrove
Explorer
Aug 18, 2013
We do our reservations for the Michigan state parks six months in advance most of the time online. It works well for us we have been doing it for many years.

If we have to call the phone number for any reason it is painful to wait because we know they are using the same online system the public uses, they are just the ones doing the typing.
Opie431
Explorer
Aug 18, 2013
And a PS, my husband just called to change ours and it went well.
Opie431
Explorer
Aug 18, 2013
Alas, the state does not run the reservation system. Perhaps if we all complained they would go back to doing it.

Forum Discussion

Michigan State parks

About Campground 101

Related Content

State parks?

Muskegon State Park(Michigan) early stay

National Forrest, Parks and State Parks

30' Travel Trailer State/County Parks

Michigan Trip