Missed the reservation boat

[GordonThree]

Registration opened for the 4th of July weekend recently, and Ludington State Park and several others in the central Michigan region are sold out already... those Internet connected campers are fast on the draw!

Newaygo State Park shows almost completely open - anyone have site recommendations for a small trailer and possibly a tent?

[dverstra]

GordonThree wrote:
100% agree about LSP being way too crowded. I like going in the winter and spring... forget about summer and fall, too many people, many of whom seem to equate camping with letting their necks turn a nice red color.

For me it's being able to walk out of the RV and hike a trail or view some scenery... don't care much about hookups. With my Recpass I can boondock and still dump for free at the newly expanded local state park.

I had a good time last year at an NFS campground, Benton lake or something like that, not too far from Baldwin.

Gordon
Try Oxbow Park in Newaygo County. It's right on the River above Hardy Dam.

[GordonThree]

100% agree about LSP being way too crowded. I like going in the winter and spring... forget about summer and fall, too many people, many of whom seem to equate camping with letting their necks turn a nice red color.

For me it's being able to walk out of the RV and hike a trail or view some scenery... don't care much about hookups. With my Recpass I can boondock and still dump for free at the newly expanded local state park.

I had a good time last year at an NFS campground, Benton lake or something like that, not too far from Baldwin.

[Parrothead_Mike]

Check out Orchard Beach State Park in Manistee. We've usually been able to get a site here when all other Lake Michigan state parks are full up.

[doxiemom11]

We are from Michigan but never stay in the state parks. We prefer smaller private parks with hookups. There are parks other than state parks in and around the popular locations. You may not be right on the beach, but you can go there all day if you wish. Ludington, Pentwater, Traverse City, Muskegon, Saugatuck, Holland etc.

[bfast54]

for the original poster .....vacation station in Luddington is fantastic I would choose any day over Ludington State Park

the State Park is a pit .....way too crowded ,dirty sites, noisy



For the person what to do the trip to the U.P. and down to Michigan you will never need a reservation in the Upper Peninsula


there are so many campgrounds you will definitely find something

and if you go along the lake shore on the way back down head to where you going afterwards you'll find something along the lake shore...Enjoy.

[michigansandzil]

garmp1 wrote:
Are all Michigan parks filled up that fast? I mean not only the 4th weekend, but any time during the summer. We are planning a trip from St Louis thru Wisc to the UP and down thru Michigan towards home. We are looking for places to stay and recommendations. We have a ton of variables: exact time of trip - not sure - June/ July, route thru Michigan, Western shore or mid state, or even Eastern state, just heading home. We figure we could be thru the state from the UP ins two or three days, staying site to site. If there's openings.
Any ideas/suggestions?

The west side of the state has the nicest beaches, I just love Lake Michigan. However, so does everyone else. If you're looking to get into a state park on or near the water at any time in the summer, you will have slim pickings or no choices at all.
If you drive in the middle of the state, you'll have more camping spot choices, but also less desirable summer locations. Everyone wants to be on the Great Lakes. You'll need to book early to have a true Michigan experience.

You won't need reservations for the UP at all.

[michigansandzil]

GordonThree wrote:
Registration opened for the 4th of July weekend recently, and Ludington State Park and several others in the central Michigan region are sold out already!

Ludington sells out in minutes, like one or two minutes, not thirty. I tried for two years to get a site and only saw 1 site available. By the time I added it to my cart, someone else had taken it. I ended up bribing someone and they got me a site. The park itself was fantastic, but the sites were small and dirt.
Maybe try staying at a private campgound in town and going into the SP during the day? This is what I would do if I couldn't get a water site next time.

[kknowlton]

Weekends will also fill up much faster than weekdays. Still, it wouldn't hurt to get reservations in as soon as you possibly can.

[GordonThree]

garmp1 wrote:
Are all Michigan parks filled up that fast? I mean not only the 4th weekend, but any time during the summer. We are planning a trip from St Louis thru Wisc to the UP and down thru Michigan towards home. We are looking for places to stay and recommendations. We have a ton of variables: exact time of trip - not sure - June/ July, route thru Michigan, Western shore or mid state, or even Eastern state, just heading home. We figure we could be thru the state from the UP ins two or three days, staying site to site. If there's openings.
Any ideas/suggestions?

Mostly it's the ones a few hours from a major city, via expressway. You should be ok in the UP. Depending on your needs, theres a lot of federal land to camp on for free or cheap in the North.

[garmp]

Are all Michigan parks filled up that fast? I mean not only the 4th weekend, but any time during the summer. We are planning a trip from St Louis thru Wisc to the UP and down thru Michigan towards home. We are looking for places to stay and recommendations. We have a ton of variables: exact time of trip - not sure - June/ July, route thru Michigan, Western shore or mid state, or even Eastern state, just heading home. We figure we could be thru the state from the UP ins two or three days, staying site to site. If there's openings.
Any ideas/suggestions?

[Ron3rd]

I feel your pain. The popular beaches like Pismo Beach, etc, in Calif sell out quickly in a few minutes for reservations on the 4th of July.

[RoyB]

I'm sure the cheaper fuels costs will have alot to do with the upcoming camper season...

We can make it to Gatlinburg TN SMOKY MTNS (450miles) pretty cheap now with gas being $2 a gallon...

Roy Ken

[fla-gypsy]

korbe wrote:
And why cancellation costs are so high is the abuse of the system. Many people will reserve for 2-weeks beginning in late June, just for the 4th of July and later cancel the June part.

I agree but unfortunately those who are not concerned with the cost can still get away with doing that and those of us who must value our cash cannot not.

[Mountain_Mama]

You might keep checking & snag a cancellation. Plans do change!