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GordonThree's avatar
GordonThree
Explorer
Oct 11, 2014

Busy Fall Season?

I don't know about other areas, but western Michigan is crazy about camping right now.

Driving around today I must have counted at least two dozen RVs and trailers heading North and South (my town bottlenecks a major highway along the lakeshore)

I take off from work an hour early, hitch up my trailer and head to Ludington State Park, get there about 5:30 to find they're sold out for the weekend!

Two weekends ago way up North at Wilderness State Park they were nearly sold out, I got one of the last few sites for that weekend... the weekend before that Young State Park's shoreline loops were also sold out.

So much for a fall slow-down that many business owners like to complain about on the nightly news.
Seeking Advice

12 Replies

  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2014
    Parrothead Mike wrote:
    Many of the state parks are holding special events this time of the year. We were at Van Buren SP near South Haven 2 weeks ago for something called Pumpkin Fest. All sites were sold out way in advance. There was trick or treating, pumpkin carving, sites were decorated and prizes given. The DNR site probably gives the dates for the various events for parks that conduct these events.


    Whatever it is, it's a good thing!

    Ended up at Interlochen SP, the lakeside spots are all full, but even with half the park closed, there's at least 3/4 of the sites available in the part that's open. Weird how the campers distribute themselves.
  • Parrothead_Mike's avatar
    Parrothead_Mike
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2014
    GordonThree wrote:
    I don't know about other areas, but western Michigan is crazy about camping right now.

    Driving around today I must have counted at least two dozen RVs and trailers heading North and South (my town bottlenecks a major highway along the lakeshore)

    I take off from work an hour early, hitch up my trailer and head to Ludington State Park, get there about 5:30 to find they're sold out for the weekend!

    Two weekends ago way up North at Wilderness State Park they were nearly sold out, I got one of the last few sites for that weekend... the weekend before that Young State Park's shoreline loops were also sold out.

    So much for a fall slow-down that many business owners like to complain about on the nightly news.


    Many of the state parks are holding special events this time of the year. We were at Van Buren SP near South Haven 2 weeks ago for something called Pumpkin Fest. All sites were sold out way in advance. There was trick or treating, pumpkin carving, sites were decorated and prizes given. The DNR site probably gives the dates for the various events for parks that conduct these events.
  • 2dogtravellin's avatar
    2dogtravellin
    Explorer II
    Oct 11, 2014
    I just got back from a 4 day trip from Lake Tahoe to Lone Pine, Ca and back on rt 395. It was wall to wall campers. The fall colors are beautiful right now and the temperatures are perfect. Also, Columbus Day weekend there's a huge old movie festival in Lone Pine. Who knew?
  • shadows4's avatar
    shadows4
    Nomad
    Oct 11, 2014
    I am sitting in our camper now at Roaring River State Park in Missouri. It is almost full. According to the reservation web site it is going to be pretty well full for the whole next week.
    Soon as it stops raining I will be going fishing. Woohoo!!!!
  • Goostoff's avatar
    Goostoff
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2014
    Usually around here everything dies off after labor day. This year however the local campgrounds are still packed. The one we frequent is even booked up foor the final weekend before close. We got lucky to get our reservations. We always close the park every year. The last few years there has been the same for trailers in the whole park. Last year we all got together and sat around one fire on saturday night. It was a good time.
  • nomad297's avatar
    nomad297
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2014
    I'm at Oak Creek Campground, near Lancaster, PA. This and all surrounding campgrounds are sold out this weekend. It's not because of the leaves, though. I think everybody is just trying to get in as much camping as they can.

    Bruce
  • Padlin's avatar
    Padlin
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2014
    Same happens this time of year in New England, many leaf peepers, compounded by some CGs closing for the winter. Plus it's just a darn nice time of year to be out.

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